Looking for a holiday home - £100k max, 3 hrs from Swindon

[Pulse]

I'm considering a holiday home; something which we could rent out, but also use a few times a year for a break.

Don't mind the size, but want it to be in a nice area with opportunity for parking at least one car, ideally two.

Would like it to be close to water - a beach would be ideal, but a lake/other could be just as good. Something where you could go kayaking/similar would be ideal.

Anyone know where I could start the search?

ETA: Title should say 'up to 3 hours'.

Edited by Pulse on Sunday 19th October 11:11

[Grandad Gaz]

Pulse said:

I'm considering a holiday home; something which we could rent out, but also use a few times a year for a break.

Don't mind the size, but want it to be in a nice area with opportunity for parking at least one car, ideally two.

Would like it to be close to water - a beach would be ideal, but a lake/other could be just as good. Something where you could go kayaking/similar would be ideal.

Anyone know where I could start the search?

ETA: Title should say 'up to 3 hours'.

100k max?

I'd say you would have to go deep into Wales for that. Almost zero chance of being near to water, I would think!

How about a static caravan of some sort?

[Simpo Two]

Deepest Wales I'd say.

There will be plenty of water because it always rains in Wales

[kiethton]

You may get a small apartment near the Gower? - just past Swansea

[worsy]

Something like this http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

Near

[Sir Bagalot]

You may need to double your budget. Are you hoping to let it enough so it pays for itself? Is the primary objective for investment? Or quiet/chill time for you and family?

worsy said:

Something like this http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

That link has several issues....

Looks like someone bought it as a holiday rental and now realises the market simply isn't there

Looks like a holiday park, and indeed it is. £68K. 14 year lease remaining. £4K annual park fees. Effectively you're renting it for £8.5K pa

[Pulse]

Here's a couple of things I'm thinking of.

It doesn't have to be massive, as it'd just be for me and my partner (at the moment, at least). Trouble is, I don't know the areas.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

[clockworks]

No chance of a proper house down this way (west Cornwall) for £100k, much less in a nice area or close to water. A small terrace with no views in a "safe" area will start at £150k, maybe 10 minutes drive from the sea. I can't imagine Devon or Somerset coastal areas being any cheaper. If you want views, add 50%+. All the cheap houses and properties for conversion went years ago.
Static caravan or a lodge, or buy a decent camper van?

[Wings]

I have spent several months looking both in Dorset and Devon, with £395k being the lowest i have seen, and that was a property in Down Derry. The one property that I did like, again in Down Derry was £595k, but I am not sure i want to spend that sort of money, for what might turn out to be just 3- 4 visits a year.

[Pulse]

I should have said 'close to water' was just I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere, with easy (say, up to 20 minutes walk) from water.

This sort of thing would appeal.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

[anonymous-user]

Pulse said:

I should have said 'close to water' was just I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere, with easy (say, up to 20 minutes walk) from water.

This sort of thing would appeal.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

With the greatest respect, it doesn't look a great area for a holiday home, in a road full of council (or at least ex council) housing.

[Simpo Two]

You could get a very nice narrowboat for £100K and some change too...

'Close to water' fitted as standard!

[bint]

Inkyfingers said:

With the greatest respect, it doesn't look a great area for a holiday home, in a road full of council (or at least ex council) housing.

Usually a good sign. People buying their own council houses are ones who'll take pride in them. Looks nice, not sure you would lose anything there.

[sidekickdmr]

bint said:

Usually a good sign. People buying their own council houses are ones who'll take pride in them. Looks nice, not sure you would lose anything there.

Agreed, however OP said a holiday home he could rent out.

Not sure anyone will pay to stay there as a "holiday home".

Normal residential letting, yes, holiday home, no.

[Patch1875]

Spain? Budget flight in under 3 hours.

[eggchaser1987]

Simpo Two said:

You could get a very nice narrowboat for £100K and some change too...

'Close to water' fitted as standard!

With the budget this is the kind of thing I would be looking for. Seems more of a holiday type of thing t
rather than something on an ex council estate.

[caiss4]

Ten years ago did the exact same thing - bought a holiday home within 3hrs from Swindon. Ended up buying a first floor flat in a village near Swanage. Our budget was greater (£170k) but there are some properties available in Swanage near your figure:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

to name a couple

It will tick the 'within 3hrs from Swindon' box; 2hrs approx regardless of Bank Holidays. It also ticks the '20 mins walk from water' box.

The letting season is relatively short in Swanage - at best you'd only get 14/15 weeks and arguably less depending on how often you wanted to use it. But you really do need to let it out to offset some/all standing costs - I wouldn't rely on capital growth.

Swanage is a great little seaside town, the countryside around is stunning, the beaches are great - Swanage Bay and Studland. Can't beat it in my opinion.

[J8 SVG]

My Best friend's parents have a very nice static caravan near Oxwich, just past Swansea and it is one of my favourite places in the UK to go. There are fantastic beaches (Rhossili Bay has won several awards) and the surf is good if you're into that. Think they paid £50k for the caravan (brand new) but they rent it out to friends and family for a small fee which helps with the pitch fee every year

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Is three hours far enough away from Swindon?

[zed4]

Why bother, I can’t imagine it’s going to appreciate that much in value and you’ll need to furnish it, maintain it, pay council tax etc. Better off renting a nice cottage each time you want to go down to the coast. No hassle, no bother and you can visit a different area every time you go down. You’d get a much nicer property too.