Cornwall Holiday Let Boom Sparks Housing Concerns – Could Beach Huts Be the Ethical Escape?

New figures show that demand for holiday lets soared last year, with bookings in coastal areas of Cornwall reaching record highs. Rising demand is putting strain on available housing stock for local people. Could Cornwall see protests similar to those currently taking place in Spain or might the humble beach hut provide the solution?

This summer, finding a cosy seaside base could be harder than ever. A new report from the Government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that bookings for UK holiday lets have soared, especially in Britain’s holiday hotspots. Last year, demand for holiday lets from the likes of Airbnb, Booking.com and the Expedia group resulted in holidaymakers booking 90.1 million guest nights in short-term UK lets.

Cornwall was the peak August destination and the second most in demand throughout the year, only behind Westminster in London. Cornwall saw 3.4 million guest nights last year and other favourite seaside areas weren’t far behind.

That puts a huge strain on available holiday accommodation. The growth in demand for seaside holiday accommodation is also pricing local people out of the housing market, with many homes being purchased to become lucrative holiday lets. If that sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a situation that is now outraging many people in Spain, who are currently holding demonstrations demanding a ban on new holiday rental accommodation. Could Cornwall be the next place to see such protests?

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from BeachHuts.com, says: ‘Demand for a short stay base in Cornwall has ballooned in recent years. In the summer months, Cornwall has the highest number of bookings in the UK, peaking at 803,920 guest nights last August. This seasonal housing demand skews prices for locals. In mid-2023, Cornwall had a permanent resident population of 578,342 but this balloons in the summer. The number of residential homes being turned into holiday lets is one reason why Cornwall’s median house price is now 8.85 times the yearly average earning for the area.

‘Fortunately, many seaside areas of Cornwall boast beach huts that are a great alternative to holiday lets and expensive hotels. What’s more, they won’t deprive locals of a home. Thousands of these are dotted around many of Britain’s favourite seaside resorts. They provide the perfect ethical alternative to holiday lets and hotels. Beach huts need very little infrastructure, they don’t deprive anyone of a home and their bright appearance often adds character to an area.

‘Beach huts provide an ideal base for a visit to the seaside. Not only are they ideal for a long daytrip – providing a base to change, make a cuppa and have a meal without having to rent accommodation – but you can actually stay in many overnight.

‘We’d love to see more local authorities grant freehold tenures for beach huts with no night-time occupancy restrictions. That would allow more Brits to stay overnight in huts and chalets, right on the beach, while supporting local restaurants and shops in the area. Of course, this change won’t happen, well, overnight, but it should be considered by local councils who control coastal areas and want to see a boost in revenue.

‘Most beach huts don’t offer overnight accommodation but they are a bargain bolthole that might reduce the need to rent a holiday let if all you are after is a pleasant day trip with a beach side base. Daytime huts are often great value. For example, Beach hut 821 at Boscombe Beach in Dorset offers uninterrupted views of the sea and is equipped with a hob, grill, reclining chairs, table, cutlery, crockery, parasol and beach paraphernalia all for just £55 a day – even at the height of August.”

As pressure mounts on housing in popular tourist spots like Cornwall, the search for more sustainable and socially responsible alternatives is becoming urgent. While beach huts won’t solve the wider housing crisis, they could offer a small but meaningful way to ease demand, protect local communities, and give holidaymakers a more grounded, authentic seaside experience.