Eight breathtaking houses by lakes, rivers and the sea, ideal for those who love sailing or just life by the water
Wonderful views and a watery playground on your doorstep help make these homes special, says Lydia Stangroom.

Emsworth, Hampshire — £2,500,000
Located right on the shores of Emsworth Harbour, in Hampshire, is Dolphin Quay: A fantastic, new property that offers a superb standard of living in a truly wonderful location.
As the location suggests, this three-bed property is ideal for keen sailors, as the harbour is directly in front of the house, meaning you can almost roll out of bed, along the private pontoon and into a yacht.
The interiors feature huge windows to drink in the south-facing water views; a lovely open-plan kitchen/living area and sheltered terrace.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
Find more property near Emsworth, Hampshire.
Dartmouth — £3,000,000
Sitting proudly on the banks of the river Dart in Dartmouth is this breathtaking property. Dartmouth is a popular sailing town, with an annual regatta that draws visitors from all over.
Truly the waterside living dream — it boasts a wonderful riverside terrace, a garden with a boat shed and davit, plus access down stone steps to the water — taking you from house to sea in seconds.
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Each room benefits from glorious water views, with an open-plan relaxed style throughout. The three bedrooms can be found on the lower floor.
For sale with Marchand Petit. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
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Sidmouth — £2,750,000
It doesn’t get more idyllic than this: A beautiful, cliff-top, thatched property in Sidmouth that has unrivalled sea views and direct access down to the beach below.
There is 5,000sq ft of accommodation on offer, with five bedrooms (all with sea views) and four generous reception rooms.
The gardens surrounding Clifton Cottage are truly beautiful, with a west-facing garden to the front of the house with a terraced area and large, split-level lawn; and to the rear, there’s a spacious terraced area that overlooks the beach — making it the perfect place to sit back and relax on balmy summer evenings.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
Find more property near Sidmouth.
Cowes, Isle of Wight — £2,450,000
Located in what can only be described as the sailing mecca of the UK, and home to the oldest and biggest sailing regatta in the world, Cowes proves a popular destination for sailors and water-lovers alike, particularly during the summer months.
With carpets as blue as the Solent sea in front of the property, there’s no denying that Mariners (one of the oldest properties on Queens Road, dating from about 1824), would benefit from a bit of a facelift.
Superficial interiors aside, the stunning period villa offers a prime seafront location with a spacious south-facing garden, two sunny terraces and six well-appointed bedrooms.
For sale with Spence Willard. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
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Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute — £925,000
A truly breathtaking coastal location, 10.8 acres of gardens and grounds and a private pontoon that can accommodate a large sail yacht or powerboat — all for £925,000 — can only mean one thing…we’re in Scotland.
Otterpoint sits on the harbour shores of Tayvallich and Loch Sween on the west coast of Scotland, and enjoys beautiful panoramic views.
Whilst the property offers four bedrooms, a large open/plan sitting and dining room, an indoor pool and sauna, it could benefit from a general refurbishment to turn this into an even more magical property.
For sale with Bell Ingram. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
Find more property near Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute.
Bosham, Chichester — £795,000
£795,000 for a Grade II listed Georgian fisherman’s cottage that evidently needs a lot of work doing to it does appear steep, but this is Bosham, and the potential bursting out of this bolt-hole is too great to ignore.
Located within the heart of Bosham Harbour, with unrivalled southerly views across the water and ideally located next to the local pubs and shops, this three-bed property would make for the most idyllic home — whether it be used as a weekend bolt-hole or sailor’s cottage.
The sitting room doors open up onto the south-facing terrace, whilst the little garden to the front of the house is well-stocked with mature trees and flowering shrubs to create a welcoming entrance.
For sale with Jackson-Stops. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
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St. Mawes, Truro — £2,750,000
This stunning barn conversion in St. Mawes offers beautifully presented accommodation in the main house, plus an additional two-bed holiday cottage, a two-storey detached garage and boat store with a studio on the first floor, plus one other detached garage/workshop.
The interiors of both the main house and the holiday cottage are finished to a really high standard. Exposed stonework, flagstone floors, brick archways and stained-glass windows are just some of the stand-out features.
The gardens surrounding the property amount to two acres, formed from mature trees, swathes of lawn, a small woodland area and two decked terraces.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
Find more property near St. Mawes, Truro.
Mylor, Cornwall — £1,750,000
On the shores of Restronguet Creek, in Mylor, located between Falmouth and Truro, sits this pretty five-bedroom house with creek ownership reaching down to mean low water.
The mature gardens surrounding the property are well stocked, providing a sheltered oasis and numerous private seating areas to take in the stunning views. Wooden steps lead from the garden down to the creek — making it the ideal place to leave your towel when you pop in for a swim at high tide.
Inside, the accommodation is versatile and spacious, with plenty of scope to transform the interior to suit individual needs.
For sale with Lillicrap Chilcott. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
Find more property near Mylor, Cornwall.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
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