What a wonderful weekend!  Not only was the weather fine but we spent it down in our holiday home in Portland (Dorset).  The beautiful weather really brought it home to us that England has much to offer the holiday maker, and, as the current trend is to holiday at home, the U.K. is no doubt going to see a renaissance in the great British seaside holiday!  For the best part of nine months now, we've been advocating holiday lets for cash flow, but make sure that you choose somewhere with year round appeal.

Chesil_beach Chesil Beach is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site stretching 18 miles along the south coast of Dorset, England from the 'Isle' of Portland in the east to Lyme Regis in the west. Fishermen familiar with the beach claim to be able to tell their location from pebble size alone.

Although we do not actually let our Portland house out as a holiday let, there are many signs that it could be a good area to buy in.  Portland itself is a stunning and unique island, and has so much more to offer than Portland Bill Lighthouse and Chesil beach, which it is mostly known for.  There are many beautiful coastal walks, birdwatching, horse-riding, not to mention all the water-sports you can do in the area.  Portland Harbour itself is brilliant for windsurfing and kite-surfing with its shallow and calm water.

Portland is slowly but surely shaking off its naval past and gearing itself up as a top flight holiday destination.  The new and glamourous Portland Hotel and Spa is raising the accommodation bar, and new restaurants, cafes and bars are springing up all over the island to cater to many different tastes.  Being an island also means that land supply is limited.  Many areas of the island have been designated areas of scientific interest, which will further restrict building in the future.

With Portland and Weymouth now gearing up to hold the 2012 Olympic Sailing Event, the only way is up for this "best kept secret" little isle.

Furthermore, this weekend it was announced that Weymouth has been awarded a £6m regeneration grant to give the town a face-lift and build a new relief road, again all in preparation for the Olympics.  So, if you are interested in a holiday home or let with a lot of potential, this could be a good area to look in!

Vanessa, my wife, was quoted in the "Sunday Times" this weekend on buying a second home on the coast.