There’s something quintessentially British about the sight of brightly painted beach huts jostling together on the shore. Author Lucy Clarke has grown up spending her summers in her family beach hut in Dorset. Here are her top tips for making the most from a stay in a beach hut.
Lucy Clarke by James Bowden
Go slow. Why not go off-grid for a few hours – or even a few days? Turn off your phone, leave the laptop behind, and let the sand steal the hurry from your footsteps.
Cook outdoors. Beach hut kitchens are basic affairs, so where possible, cook outdoors and keep it simple. It’s all about sausages sizzling on a barbecue, or fish and chips eaten on a rug by the shore.
Beach comb. There’s a simple joy to be found from beach combing, whatever your age. Go in search of coastal treasures – sun-bleached driftwood, wave-worn sea glass, or ribbons of rope. We have an old jar in our hut reserved solely for beach treasures.
Play cards. Everyone’s got a pack of cards tucked in a drawer somewhere, right? This is the time to dust them off.
Pack for all weathers. It wouldn’t be a British summer if we didn’t get a little rain. Make sure you pack your rain gear alongside your swim wear, and then you can enjoy the beach whatever the weather.
Get in the sea. Seawater has long been linked to good health. One of the beauties of a beach hut is that you’ve got somewhere warm to dry off after a dip. So don’t procrastinate – dive in!
Hug thy neighbour. I love the sense of community that builds when you’re sharing the same stretch of sand with other families. Embrace it. Pass on your book when you’ve finished it, or invite your beach hut neighbours in when the kettle starts whistling.
Read. For me, there’s no better place to read than by the sea. Pull out the deckchair, bring your favourite summer read, and let your imagination drift away with the sea breeze.
Leave only footprints. Sweep out the sand and take your rubbish home to recycle. If you see a piece of litter left on the beach, how about popping it in a bin, too? I know it’s not yours – but imagine how clean our beautiful beaches will be if we all start doing this.
Enjoy the off-season. There are over 20,000 beach huts in the UK and most of these are council-owned and can be rented. In the winter months, you can pay as little as £12 per day to rent a hut. A warm rug, a whistling kettle, and a view of the restless sea – what could be better?
Lucy Clarke’s best-selling novel, LAST SEEN, is set in a series of beach huts, and was inspired by summers growing up in her family hut.