The Best Waterside Properties in the UK

There’s something profoundly healing about staying close to water. It’s in the hush of a still morning by the river, the salty tang of sea air carried on the wind, the hypnotic rhythm of lapping waves.

At Luxury Cottages, we’ve curated a selection of extraordinary retreats where the water is more than a backdrop. These escapes offer more than views. They offer moments: stargazing from a beachfront deck, sipping coffee as herons skim across a misty estuary, sharing wine beside a crackling fire with the tide just beyond the window. Whether you’re seeking adventure or peace, the properties below are places where nature leads.

Fable Cottage, Cornwall

Tucked into the rugged beauty of Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, Fable Cottage offers spellbinding views over Portloe Harbour. Inside, stylish design meets rustic warmth, with underfloor heating, a bio-ethanol fire and large windows that draw in the coastal light. Spend your mornings walking the South West Coast Path and your evenings sharing seafood and stories in one of the nearby village pubs. You’ll fall asleep each night to the soft lull of waves echoing through the harbour.

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Ocean Eyes, Devon

Perched high on a cliff, Ocean Eyes is a home where the sea seems to stretch on forever. Floor-to-ceiling glass lets you drink in the horizon from every angle and the interiors are cool, calm and quietly luxurious. Whether you’re enjoying an alfresco dinner on the balcony or wrapped in a blanket watching a storm roll in, this is where you come to feel alive again. Here, the ocean becomes your meditation – an ever-changing, ever-present rhythm just outside your window.

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Riverside Retreat, Devon

Hidden along a gentle stretch of riverbank, this peaceful escape is all about reconnecting with nature. Wander wooded trails, cast a line from your private spot on the water, or curl up beside the fire as dusk settles on the surface. Riverside Retreat is simplicity and charm in perfect harmony. It’s a place where digital distractions fade and the world slows down to the tempo of flowing water.

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Oban Bay House, Scottish Highlands

In the heart of Scotland’s west coast, Oban Bay House is your launchpad to the Isles or simply a place to pause and breathe. The open-plan living spaces are made for togetherness, with panoramic views that inspire awe. Watch fishing boats come and go, enjoy the freshest seafood around and wrap each day in the quiet drama of sea and sky. From every window, nature puts on a performance that never repeats – wild, beautiful and entirely yours to witness.

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Edgewater House, Hampshire

Modern and bold, Edgewater House is ideal for those who crave direct contact with the water. Its prime location on the shoreline means you’re steps away from paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply lounging with your feet in the tide. Inside, stylish furnishings and sleek design keep you grounded in comfort while nature puts on its show. Each day begins with golden light on the water and ends with glassy reflections – nature’s own artwork framed by your windows.

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Shorefront House, Argyll and Bute

Right on the beach, Shorefront House brings the outdoors in with large windows and open-plan spaces. It’s the kind of place where doors stay open all day, kids roam barefoot across the sand and dinner is served with a sea breeze. For families and friends who want to live fully immersed in the coastal rhythm, it doesn’t get better than this. Here, every hour invites a new adventure.

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Christie Mansion, Isle of Wight

An elegant manor with sweeping water views, Christie Mansion is perfect for grand gatherings. Set beside claiming shores, this property features refined interiors, lush grounds and a terrace ideal for memorable meals and sunset toasts. It’s waterside living with grace and grandeur. Timeless in both setting and style, it’s a retreat where cherished memories unfold with ease against an awe-inspiring backdrop.

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Sycamore Grand Suite, Cotswolds

Ideal for couples, families and friends, this luxurious suite offers a private, peaceful waterside experience. Think slow mornings in bed, soaks in a deep tub and endless views from your private balcony. Whether you’re celebrating something or simply escaping everything, Sycamore Grand Suite delivers luxury in every ripple.

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Plas Glan Menai, Isle of Anglesey

A historic Welsh manor set along the Menai Strait, this property is as timeless as the water it overlooks. With vast lawns, old stone architecture and a backdrop of tidal beauty, it’s a soulful escape for large families, creative retreats or multigenerational holidays. Watch the boats drift by, walk ancient trails, or sit still and listen to the land. Every view tells a story of history, nature and the steady peace of the tide.

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Beach Manor, West Sussex

Effortlessly glamorous, Beach Manor is built for beachside luxury. With space for ten, a hot tub, a garden bar and direct beach access, this West Sussex home is as stylish as it is welcoming. Spend sun-drenched afternoons with your feet in the sand and toast the evening from the terrace as the tide creeps back in. It’s a place where celebration and serenity coexist beautifully, from morning coffee to moonlit dips.

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