It’s summer, so it’s totally natural that our thoughts might wander towards the beach, and here at Fresh Locations, we’re all dreaming of seaside getaways - whether it’s the Bahamas or Broadstairs.

Of course, as a location agency we’ve been talking beaches since earliest Spring and all too often, we spend a scorching hot July helping people with their Christmas shoot needs. But we thought that this might be a good time to cool off and share some of our beautiful beach locations with you. By the way, if you own, or know of, a great seaside property – we’d LOVE to hear about it…

We’ve got seaside locations to suit every style of shoot. Of course we have many variations on the classic beach cottage in our locations library, such as ‘Kingsdown Beach’, with its breezy, gently distressed décor and nautical themed accessories – from model sailboats to vintage buoys and ropes. This property is close to London in Kent but a little further afield (and we think well worth the journey) is ‘Mandalay, Norfolk’–  a wonderful period five-bedroom beach house with views out across wind-whipped grasses to The Wash. It’s a white painted, wood-panelled space with a pretty little veranda and unique atmosphere.

If you are looking for more of a classic seaside town look we suggest ‘Ramsgate’, a well-proportioned maisonette set within an elegant Regency terrace and full of beautiful period details, like the elaborate ironwork and ornate windows that frame the sea views. Or, if you prefer a more summer-in-the-Hamptons aesthetic, then we recommend the incredible ‘Bembridge’ on the Isle of Wight. This vast New England-style beach house combines a spacious modern layout with period features, such as tongue-and-groove panelling, exposed beams and a wood burning stove – as well as rolling grassland taking you down to the beach. All of our beach properties are the type of places you won’t want to leave, but the good news here is that you don’t have to, as it’s also a B&B…

 Many of our seaside locations, including ‘Kingsdown Beach’, Mandalay, Norfolk’, ‘Saunton Beach’, ‘Brighton Villa’and ‘Mersea’ also include a beach huts – eternally popular, quirky and characterful little spaces. But seaside properties don’t have to be all blue-stripes and fishing nets. Our location library also features some fantastic examples of contemporary seaside design. ‘Saunton Beach’ in Somerset is a light and airy architectural gem, and nods to the low-key good looks of Californian Mid-Century Modern. Meanwhile, our ‘Bexhill’ location is something very special. Set over three floors, its many rooms all enjoy beautiful sea views across an infinity pool which appears to merge with the Channel beyond. It’s a versatile space that mixes simplicity with a sense of glamorous luxury.

While our classic seaside locations remain as popular as ever, we’ve noticed an increasing trend for edgier, more rough-luxe beach homes, particularly for fashion shoots. It seems that many of our clients want beaches with a wilder, more desolate beauty and are happy with beaches that incorporate traces of an industrial past. The ‘Sussex Beach’ location is an architect-designed Modernist-style beach house featuring poured concrete, warm wood-panelling and vast expanses of glass looking onto the sea. Meanwhile, the ‘Experimental Station’ has an ultra-minimal aesthetic and features plywood panelling and a sculptural monolithic block of a fireplace. The ‘Pump Station’, nearby on the same beach, has a similarly monastic beauty, with exposed beams and an ultra-simple aesthetic that avoids competing with the mesmerising seascapes outside the windows. As ever, talk to us, we are confident we can find perfect for your shoot...