Pit Stop, East Preston

More South Beach than Shoreham-by-Sea, this art-deco escape is set in a Grade II-listed petrol station, Manor Road Garage. The gleaming petrol pumps remain in pride of place, but inside all has been rebuilt: don't expect original features among the comfortable if rather bland interiors …

Pit Stop, East Preston

What the two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment does promise is easy access to the coast and the South Downs national park. • 0845 268 0760, cottages4you.co.uk . Sleeps four, from £365 a week

8 Coastguard Cottages, West Wittering

This pretty, terraced cottage makes an ideal family hideaway close to the beach. Three comfortable bedrooms, a small but sunny garden (with bike shed) and open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas tick all the right boxes for all-ages gatherings, while seagrass flooring and duck-egg paintwork add style …

8 Coastguard Cottages, West Wittering

Children will want to bagsy the twin room, with its Princess and the Pea box beds. • 01243 672217, baileys.uk.com . Sleeps six, from £850 a week

New England Beach House, Angmering-on-Sea

Despite its American name and international art collection, the New England Beach House is British at heart, with a large kitchen, chic living and dining areas and spectacular sea views from its beach garden …

New England Beach House, Angmering-on-Sea

Several bedrooms share a vast balcony overlooking the sea, there are twin outdoor bathtubs on the decking and the owner restyles the property in summer and winter to make sure the facilities suit the season. • 01903 892545, thebigdomain.com . Sleeps 10, from £2,950 a week

Treetops, Bedham

In the 19th and early 20th centuries the South Downs hamlet of Bedham drew writers, artists and composers (among them Edward Elgar) to its peaceful beech woodlands. These days it's holidaymakers drawn by the leafy tranquillity. This cabin-like timber cottage is decorated with homely but stylish vintage and antique furniture – and has a bedroom with a roof terrace …

Treetops, Bedham

Petworth House, with its Turner paintings, is three miles away. • 01798 877336, amberleyhousecottages.co.uk . Sleeps two, from £370 a week

Beach House, Bracklesham

Stylish and original with mid-century furniture and walls the colours of pebbles, sand and sea glass, this renovated 1950s beach house is a favourite among film location scouts.

Beach House, Bracklesham

It has a cool, contemporary summerhouse and a library of coffee-table art books, but, frankly, who cares when you've got the sea at the bottom of the garden? • 07703 438888, ownersdirect.co.uk . Sleeps eight, from £2,000 a week