20 of the UK's best hotels, campsites and cottages right on the beach

It's unusual to find a beach hut that you can sleep in overnight, so these small but beautifully designed lodges are understandably in demand. Positioned directly overlooking the quieter end of Bournemouth's long, sandy beach, the miniature seaside boltholes combine white clapboard walls and nautical stripes with mod cons such as a kitchen, toilet, shower room and wifi. Guests can also take advantage of free travel on the land train, which runs down to the pier and aquarium.Lodges sleep up to four adults and two children (apart from the accessible lodge, which accommodates up to four adults and one child), from £500 for three nights, bournemouthbeachlodges.co.uk
Opened at the end of 2024, No. 124 Brighton is the latest boutique stay from GuestHouse Hotels. Set just behind the beach, this cool hotel blends Regency and Victorian charm with quirky touches and modern luxury. Its 32 individually designed rooms and suites feature vintage furnishings, local art and record players, with a collection of vinyl downstairs to choose from.
Guests can enjoy a cocktail in the sumptuous lounge or book a treatment in the newly opened FieldTrip Spa. The chic on-site restaurant, Pearly Cow, serves locally sourced produce, including 45-day salt-aged steaks cooked over an open flame, and oysters served on ice. Doubles from £165 room-only, guesthousehotels.co.uk
With its historic lighthouse, quirky pier and colourful beach huts, Southwold is the quintessential seaside town. Book a stay at Astondene, a three-storey house a pebble's throw from the long sand and shingle beach, and you'll be in the perfect location to take advantage of all that this corner of Suffolk has to offer.
Browse the independent shops, treat yourself to supper at the Swan or have a pint at the Lord Nelson, and don't miss Tim Hunkin's Under the Pier Show, an eccentric collection of interactive slot machines and curious inventions on Southwold Pier. Teenagers will love the basement bedroom/den, with its own sofa and TV. Sleeps eight in three bedrooms, from £1,075 a week, sykescottages.co.uk
Soak up the uninterrupted Channel views from this chic two-bedroom apartment overlooking Deal's long pebble beach – there's nothing between you and France. With its 1950s concrete pier, vintage shops and excellent restaurants, Deal is a great place for a weekend by the sea. Book a table at Deal Pier Kitchen, take a yoga class at the Pelican Rooms and have a drink at boutique hotel the Rose.Sleeps four, £540 for three nights, Fri-Mon or £611 for a four-night stay, Mon-Fri, coaste.co.uk
A sublime setting on the shore of Brownsea Island more than makes up for the lack of mod cons at this simple stone bothy. Thought to have been built as a dovecot in the late 1800s, the building was recently renovated by the National Trust to offer a peaceful self-catering retreat in this nationally important nature reserve. Although there is hot water, the only source of heating is a wood-burning stove and there is limited electricity.
Keep an eye out for red squirrels and sika deer in the forest and, after the boats and day visitors have left, head to the beach for some stargazing. Pack lightly because the bothy is a 20-minute walk from where the ferry docks, and you will need to carry your own bags.Sleeps five in two bedrooms, from £380 for two nights, nationaltrust.org.uk
Fall asleep to the sound of the waves washing over the chalk pebbles of Freshwater Bay at the Albion, a newly refurbished Victorian hotel in West Wight that reopened under new management in 2024. Most of the 40 bedrooms have sea views, with glass doors opening on to balconies or shared waterfront terraces. The on-site restaurant, the Rock, is run by executive chef Steve Harris, who previously worked at the Lords of the Manor hotel in the Cotswolds. Harris focuses on local produce, with most of his ingredients sourced from the island. Double with balcony from £190 B&B, non-sea view room from £160, albionhotel.co.uk
On the banks of the picturesque River Helford, this holiday cottage was once part of the 16th-century Ferry Boat Inn. With French doors that open on to a private patio overlooking the beach, it's the perfect location for a traditional seaside holiday. You can hire kayaks and paddleboards and explore the estuary without having to get into your car, and the friendly Ferry Boat Inn, which serves local seafood, is just next door. Guests have access to a heated outdoor pool a short stroll away (shared with other rental properties, open May-September) and the local ferry takes you to Helford village, where you can explore Daphne du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek.Sleeps six in three bedrooms, from £897 a week, toadhallcottages.co.uk
This handsome stone and slate four-bedroom house, built in the 1800s, could hardly be closer to the sea. On the slipway to pretty Crackington Haven beach and hugged by cliffs either side, it blends into the dramatic landscape. Guests often have the bay to themselves and seals are frequently spotted, along with rich birdlife.
Inside, the house marries character and comfort, with exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings (the main beam in the lounge is the repurposed mast of a 19th-century ship wreck), and plenty of original artwork. There's lots of space with a large dining room, separate kitchen, snug with chaise longue, two bathrooms, studio with surfboards and beach toys, plus a large private terrace and hot outdoor shower. The brilliant Coombe Barton Inn is seconds away for great food, too.Sleeps eight, from £2,250 a week (three-night minimum Nov–June, seven-night minimum July-Oct), penkennahouse.com
It takes a bit of effort to get to this stunning archipelago 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, but it's well worth it for the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and laid-back pace of life. The islands can be expensive, but this family-run B&B, which overlooks sandy Porthcressa beach, is relatively well priced (for Scilly at least), even in summer. From the coast path just outside the B&B you can explore the island on foot. You can also head to the ferry quay and hop on a boat to nearby Tresco and the famous Abbey Gardens. Or just sit in the B&B's lovely sea garden, which directly overlooks the beach, and, as the host suggests, let the stresses of the mainland fall away.Doubles from £190 B&B, thewheelhousescilly.co.uk
These beautiful camping huts have panoramic views across Alnmouth's long, sandy beach and out to sea. The St Oswald's Way coastal path runs right past your front door: head north to Craster, Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island, and south for the seaside villages of Alnmouth, Warkworth and Amble.
Completely off-grid, the four huts (which can be rented together for larger family groups) have a wood-burning stove for heat and solar panels for electricity. There's a kitchenette, along with a toilet and basin, and a shared shower block. There's no vehicle access or on-site parking, but the owners can help with luggage if arranged in advance.Huts sleep two adults plus two small children on a sofa bed, minimum two-night booking, from £270 for two nights, alnmouthhuts.com
This luxury converted Cumbrian stone barn with sea views is a great base for families keen to explore this quiet, wildlife-rich stretch of coast. Set along a private lane, a short stroll from the beach, the property has three bedrooms – two doubles and a bunk room sleeping four – as well as an outdoor dining area with a fire pit and barbecue, where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Solway Firth. Listen out for the calls of nationally rare natterjack toads. Bordered by sand dunes and salt marshes, the nearest beach is brimming with birdlife, but fast tides mean it's not suitable for swimming, so take binoculars and explore on foot.
Hadrian's Cycleway (National Cycle Route 72), which runs along the coast towards Glasson and Drumburgh, is on the doorstep, and Bowness-on-Solway is the start of the Hadrian's Wall trail.Sleeps eight, from £1,295 a week, cottages.com
Seafood is the star of the show at this intimate 12-bedroom hotel on the shores of Loch Linnhe, though the views across to Lismore and Mull are not bad either. Enjoy local langoustines, mussels and lobsters along with oysters harvested just 10 minutes from the hotel in its renowned restaurant – head chef Michael Leathley just picked up the Chef of the Year accolade at the National Hotels of the Year Scotland awards 2025.
You can take a guided wild swimming session around the numerous beaches nearby, or book a food-foraging tour with The Wild Cooke and feast on the gathered ingredients.Cliff-facing doubles from £225 B&B midweek, pierhousehotel.co.uk
Wake up to sunrise over the sea at these three wooden bothies, designed by architect Stuart Davidson and set just behind the stunning sand dunes on Newburgh beach. The bothies are cosy and compact but the clever design allows for up to four guests – in a super king-size bed, which sits on a mezzanine bunk, and a double sofa bed. Each bothy also has a fully equipped kitchenette, shower room and a private outdoor seating area. It's perfect for those who want a peaceful retreat where they can reconnect with nature – there's a seal colony just along the beach, along with great cycling and walking routes.Sleeps four, from £122 a night, two-night minimum May-Oct, tahunabothies.co.uk
The sea-view rooms at this New England-style hotel have uninterrupted vistas across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. There's fresh, locally caught seafood on the menu in the restaurant – when the weather is good, dining spills out into the waterfront garden and terrace. Protected from the wind, the sandy bay is great for paddleboarding and kayaking. A revamped £3m seaside spa, which includes a sauna, steam room and outdoor hydro pool, will open this summer. When booking, it's worth asking for a sea-view room to avoid overlooking the car park at the rear.Doubles from £125 B&B, watersideayrshire.com
The road to the Old Point House, a 16th-century coastal inn on the south-western tip of Pembrokeshire, is submerged by the sea several times a month, so you'll need to check the tide times before you travel. The excellent restaurant serves oysters from East Angle Bay, which it overlooks, as well as local lobster and crab, and champions seaweed as an ingredient. There are three simple, cosy rooms above the bar and a campsite in the adjoining private meadow.Doubles from £115 B&B, theoldpointhouse.wales
Positioned between the mountains and the sea on the beautiful Llŷn peninsula, this spacious campsite has its own private beach and stunning views in all directions. As well as swimming and sandcastle building, you'll find space to launch a boat, good sea fishing and direct access to coastal paths for walking. There are forest areas to explore within the campsite and campers can light a fire on the beach. The perfect place to go wild with the family.£12 adults, £6 children, no charge for under-threes, aberafon.co.uk
Set on Pendine Sands – a seven-mile expanse famed for its record-breaking land speed trials in the 1920s – Caban offers a great-value stay overlooking this breathtaking beach. Opened in 2023, the hotel was built to high environmental standards, with solar panels, advanced insulation and energy-saving LED lighting working together to reduce its carbon footprint. Part of a council-led initiative to improve the area and welcome more visitors, there is also a 500-metre promenade and an on-site restaurant.Family rooms for two adults and two children £130 room-only, cabanpendine.wales
This waterfront apartment is in a Grade II-listed turreted building where Roald Dahl spent his Easter holidays as a child. The house is built on to the sea wall, with sea views from many of the rooms. The balcony on the harbour side not only catches the sun for most of the day but allows parents to peacefully enjoy a glass of wine while keeping an eye on the children playing on the beach below.Sleeps six in three bedrooms, £1,008 a week, coastalcottages.co.uk
This boutique guesthouse overlooks two miles of sandy beach in the pretty village of Cloughey, about an hour's drive south-east of Belfast. The adult-only B&B also has its own sauna and jacuzzi, which is housed in the communal gardens, and the owners can organise bespoke yoga classes, massage treatments or a private chef who sources ingredients from local suppliers.
Visit nearby Castle Ward and its historic farmyard, which was the location of Winterfell in the filming of Game of Thrones. You can also head three miles down the coast to Portavogie and enjoy seafood fresh from fishing boats.Doubles with sea views from £110 B&B, manseonthebeach.com
Having recently completed a refurbishment of its sea-view suites, this iconic waterfront hotel is an ideal place to start a journey along the Causeway Coastal Route. The original part of the building dates back to the 17th century, and the rooms in this wing retain some of the original features. There are uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea and the golden sands of Ballygally Bay, where you can rent a paddleboard and explore the coast.Doubles from £120 B&B, but it's worth spending a little more (from £140) for a sea view, ballygallycastlehotel.com
Unless otherwise stated, the prices quoted are for May 2025

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Metro

a day ago

• Metro

'TV fans compare our show to Netflix's steamiest hit – ours stands out'

With the hit Apple TV Plus show The Buccaneers returning for a second season, the cast has addressed fan comparisons to other hit period dramas like Bridgerton The Victorian-era series, based on Edith Wharton's unfinished novel, follows a group of New York women in the 1870s sent to London to find husbands and high status. As Conchita (Alisha Boe), Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel (Josie Totah), Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) and Nan (Kristine Froseth) arrive on British shores, they encounter heartache, chaotic love triangles and scandals that could bring ruin to their families. Set to a modern soundtrack and centred around themes of female empowerment, it joins a growing ilk of period dramas with a 21st-century twist, the most widely known of which is no doubt Netflix's Bridgerton. Although the shows are regularly compared by viewers across social media, according to Mabel star Josie Totah, there's plenty to The Buccaneers that sets it apart from the crowd, as she told Metro. 'I love Bridgerton, I love Nichola Coughlan, but I think what our show does so well is it looks and feels like the perfect line between what feels period and also what's relatable to today. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We do wear costumes, but it's not 'costumey'. We do have love story scenes, but it's not super 'fantasy-y'. It feels like these people are people you know and they feel reachable, and you're not watching a storybook just put on TV,' the actor explained. In The Buccaneers, Mabel is a lesbian battling against societal norms, navigating an illicit relationship with a woman and still showing up for their friends in their times of need – the perfect example of a multi-layered character. 'This period is beautiful, but it's also tangible and I think our relationships are really palpable and these characters are relatable and that's what separates it,' she concluded. Although the first season offered plenty of steamy scenes for viewers to sink their teeth into, which only heightened its comparisons to the Netflix series, the stars believe there could be a lot more action. Despite already being convinced by the show, the second season still managed to take me by surprise by never going where I expected it to. Instead, the show flies off in a completely different, often more refreshing, direction. It's clear in this second season that the show takes the responsibility of portraying both the joy and hardships that women faced in this period seriously. The Buccaneers allows those moments of solidarity and the celebration of womanhood in all of its glory to shine while still giving the space and depth to explore the tougher aspects, always ending on a hopeful note. 'I wish we had more steamy scenes,' Alisha admitted, joking that they'll report this request to 'Apple'. As for the show's ability to tell a nuanced story, it's a sentiment echoed by her co-star Imogen Waterhouse, who praised the storylines for their 'groundedness' and 'relatability'. She plays Nan's sister Jinny, who is forced to flee her abusive husband Lord Seadown (Barney Fishwick) with Nan's lover Guy (Matthew Broome) and her baby in tow. In season two, we see the fallout of this decision as Jinny and Matthew set up a new incognito life in Italy. As Imogen explained, there's plenty more to come for this plotline. '[In season one Seadown] was looking for a wife he could control… and you see it come to a boiling point in season two. 'Even though she's made this escape, it doesn't mean 'oh, everything's fine, it's over.' Actually, there is still something that really draws her back to him because, without him, she has no power, and she's in hiding forever. 'It's really hard even in these times for women to leave. Especially in the Victorian times, legally they couldn't, so it adds a layer.' As for what lies in store for Nan and Guy, right from the get-go, they are separated by an entire ocean, meaning they have 'less screentime together' than last season. How exactly things will pan out, however, remains to be seen. More Trending For now, the cast remains endlessly grateful to the loyal fanbase, many of whom enjoy making fan edits on TikTok with 8,000 videos and counting under the hashtag. 'I doomscroll on TikTok and sometimes it'll pop up and it's a bit strange,' Alisha said, 'When you make a show, you hope at least someone watches it cause that's six months of your life.' As Josie joked: 'I think it's only big on TikTok, I think that's where it shines.' The Buccaneers season one is available to stream on TikTok. The Buccaneers season two, episode one is out now, with new episodes airing every Wednesday. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Outstanding suspense thriller' with Hollywood legend finally launches on free UK streamer MORE: 16,000,000,000 Google, Apple and Facebook passwords leaked in 'one of largest data breaches ever' MORE: 10 zombie films to watch after 28 Years Later including 100%-scored 'masterpiece'

Scottish Sun

a day ago

• Scottish Sun

Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure

Restaurant was so good despite we returned for a second feed DON TO PERFECTION Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE was no way the forecast of dipping temperatures and cold winds from the North Sea was going to put us off from a trip to Aberdeen. This was to be a first-time visit to the city for my wife Jackie, so we packed the woolly hats and layers and set off. 4 The hotel dates back to 1890 4 The classy lounge at the Station Hotel 4 Allan soaking up the sun at Aberdeen beach But the weather gods were more than kind to us as the clouds dispersed and we were treated to welcome sunshine. That wasn't the only bright spot during our visit. Arriving at the iconic Station Hotel we knew the hotel gods were also looking out for us. Built way back in 1890, the hotel maintains its Victorian charm but has no shortage of modern-day comforts. Our large, bright superior double room had welcome tea and coffee facilities, along with delicious shortbread and mineral water. The huge Hypnos double bed was extra comfortable and the bathroom featured a super-powerful and refreshing overhead shower. Plush and fluffy bathrobes and comfy slippers added to the luxury feel and there was even ear plugs to guarantee a silent night. The staff were friendly and helpful, especially in the brasserie where our first night's dining highlights were the tempura king prawns, sea bass and braised beef featherblade. In fact, it was so good that, despite the temptation to eat out on our second night, we returned there and enjoyed tasty ribeye steaks. With locally-sourced cuisine, the hot buffet breakfast was excellent with the usual sausage, bacon and egg complimented by the tasty black pudding and haggis. There was also a wide choice of cereal and fruit and, of course, porridge. As the hotel name suggests, it is situated right beside Aberdeen's rail and bus station. It was ideal for us as we decided to make this trip as leisurely as possible — by leaving the car at home. We boarded a Citilink coach at Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station and seated upstairs we enjoyed the comfort of someone else driving as we took in the splendid scenery heading to the north-east coast with drop-off and pick-up spots at Perth and Dundee. Aberdeen is a city full of history and we strolled across the old Motherwell-built steel bridge beside the hotel on Guild Street then made a drinks stop at Molly's Bistro which kept us on the history trail as it's on at the start of Shiprow. Fly-through video shows what major Scots city will look like after huge £20m revamp This was originally the main entrance to Aberdeen, dating back to 1281, and the Shiprow Village project now sees it featuring pubs and restaurants. Walk further up Shiprow and you come to the impressive Maritime Museum, housed in the 16th-century Provost Ross' House and church building. The exhibits, across four floors, give you an insight into the city's trading, fishing and shipbuilding past, to today's offshore and global energy. The centrepiece between these is an amazing nine-metre high model of the Murchison Platform oil rig, with terrific oil-field details. I reckon a bus tour is a great way to explore cities and we boarded the Aberdeen Adventurer at the impressive Marischal College, the world's second-largest granite building and now the City Council's headquarters. One of the highlights was driving through picturesque Old Aberdeen with its cobble streets and King's College. As well as being known as the Granite City, many also refer to Aberdeen as the Silver City by the sea because the mica in the stone sparkles in the sun. GO: ABERDEEN ROOMS at the Station Hotel start from £60 a night for a standard double room and from £90 a night for a superior double room. See And as the sun broke through the light clouds it did just that and we hopped off the bus to enjoy it from the city's golden sand beach. The threatened biting winds were still absent as we strolled the lovely promenade for a refreshment and then enjoyed a lovely wander back through the city to the hotel. Thank goodness we didn't let that doom and gloom forecast put us off a trip up north, because we had a cracking few days in one of the Granite City's finest hotels.

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

• The Herald Scotland

The new book capturing Glasgow's 21st century transformation

New book Glasgow From Above explores the key events, campaigns, major investments and regeneration projects that have propelled the changes that have unfolded across the city over the last 25 years. Read more: New cultural venues, office blocks, university buildings, schools, hospitals and bridges which have been created since the millennium are featured in the book, which will be officially published on July 28. Photographer Alistair Leith and Rosalie Menon, an architect and academic, have collaborated on the book, which has been published to coincide with the 850th anniversary of Glasgow's being granted 'burgh status.' The transformation of Glasgow since the turn of the century is celebrated in a new photography book. (Image: Alistair Leith) Mr Leith, who has worked in the construction industry for nearly 30 years, took to numerous vantage points around the city - including new buildings taking shape - and deployed drone photography to capture the images in the 250-page book. Ms Menon, who teaches at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art, had previously published Fragments of Glasgow, a book exploring the city's architectural heritage, which focused mainly on Victorian-era buildings. She told The Herald: 'I wanted to follow that up with another book capturing a more holistic view of Glasgow as a 21st century city as it has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. "There has been a lot of investment in the re-use of historic buildings and a lot of new-build developments, particularly over the last decade. The new photography book Glasgow From Above explores the modern-day transformation of Glasgow. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'I thought the best way to capture that would be with aerial photography. I follow quite a few drone photographers on Instagram, which is where I came across Alistair. 'I could see from the images that he was posting that he was involved in the construction industry. "I initially thought that I would buy some of his photographs, but then realised it would work quite well as a creative collaboration because he could provide quite a lot of insight into the new-build market in Glasgow.' The new Sighthill Bridge over the M8 motorway is featured in the book Glasgow From Above. (Image: Alistair Leith) Mr Leith, a licensed drone operator in Glasgow, said: "The city has changed massively over the last 25 years. "I've been very lucky to have been involved with quite a few big projects, like Buchanan Wharf, Candleriggs and Central Quay. I feel a very personal connection to the buildings I've been involved with myself.' 'I absolutely love working in the construction industry. I know about most of the new buildings that have gone up in Glasgow, who built them and the architects who worked on them." The book traces the origins of the city's 21st century transformation back to the early 1980s, when the city was still suffering from the decline of traditional industries like shipbuilding and engineering, but decided to mount a 'Glasgow's Miles Better' marketing campaign which gained worldwide recognition. Key moments in the run-up to the millennium highlighted include the staging of the Glasgow Garden Festival on the south bank of the River Clyde in 1988, Glasgow's year-long spell in the limelight in 1990 as the UK's first European Capital of Culture, and its designation as the UK's City of Architecture and Design in 1999. Alistair Leith and Rosalie Menon worked together on the book. (Image: Supplied) The book credits the city's Scotland With Style campaign, which was unveiled in 2004, and its successor, People Make Glasgow, launched nine years later, with helping to change Glasgow's image since the turn of the century. The impact of Glasgow's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2008, the opening of the Hydro arena in 2013, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid pandemic, which forced the city into lockdown into 2020, are all highlighted. Writing in the book, Ms Menon says: 'The completion of the first quarter of the 21st century seems a good point to take stock of Glasgow and reflect upon the significant sociopolitical events in the last 25 years which have impacted the city and its investments. 'Having decisively moved away from its industrial and manufacturing roots, Glasgow rebranded itself as a city open to investment and innovation. The 21st century transformation of Glasgow is explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'Key sectors such as media, the creative industries and higher education were central to this strategic repositioning. 'One of the city's primary objectives became the repopulation of its urban core. With that came a notable rise in social and cultural diversity, reinforcing Glasgow's identity as a modern, inclusive city. 'Many of the city's disused industrial buildings found new life as galleries, studios and performance spaces, symbolising the broader cultural regeneration taking place.' The changes in the Candleriggs area are explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) Glasgow From Above examines the impact of new developments in the Gorbals, Sighthill, Maryhill, Laurieston and Govan, the transformation of the Merchant City, Charing Cross, Candleriggs, the Broomielaw and Finnieston, and debates over the future of Sauchiehall Street and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. Also featured are the conversion of religious buildings into cultural venues like Cottiers and Oran Mor, new bridges connecting Finnieston with Govan, Partick with Govan, and Sighthill with the centre, and new office developments for the likes of Barclays, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. The book explores the key role played by the city's universities and colleges in shaping 21st century Glasgow, including the evolution of a 'knowledge quarter' near Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. The Hydro and the Armadillo are among the venues featured. (Image: Alistair Leith) Ms Menon writes: 'New biomedical and technological research centres, alongside a growing ecosystem of university spin-outs – particularly from Strathclyde and Glasgow universities – have helped establish Glasgow as a leading player in the knowledge economy. 'The expansion of the higher education sector has brought profound changes to Glasgow's social dynamics, most notably through the influx of a large international student population. To accommodate this growth, institutions invested heavily in new research centres, teaching facilities and infrastructure – contributions that not only supported academic excellence but also injected substantial capital into the local economy. 'Accompanying this academic expansion was a rapid surge in demand for student accommodation. The city's skyline has been increasingly defined by high-density, purpose-built student housing developments, which have become a hallmark of 21st century Glasgow.' Glasgow's transformation is celebrated in the new book. (Image: Alistair Leith) The book, which features images of vast construction sites, describes Glasgow as 'a city in flux' and constantly evolving 'heal the scars of its post-industrial past.' Ms Menon said: 'We talk in the book about Glasgow being a 'work in progress and the phrase that got banded about for many years, that Glasgow would be 'great when it is finished.' That is still applicable to elements of the city. 'There is a lot of criticism of Glasgow at the moment, especially around Sauchiehall Street. 'It marketed itself for a long time as a retail destination, but the retail sector was really significantly hit by Covid and the industry going online. 'That has coincided with the Avenues programme in the city centre, which has gone at quite a slow pace and has meant that some people just see disruption. 'One of the aims of the book is to show Glasgow in a new light. 'It doesn't try to be a glossy marketing thing. But I think it really lifts Glasgow, not just in terms of the city centre, but in the way it acknowledges the investment that has gone into residential neighbourhoods like Dalmarnock, Sighthill, Laurieston and the Gorbals. 'One of the key elements of the book is how it looks at the new routes and connections that have recently been created in the city. The drone photography can really identify where these have been made, and how communities and regenerated area are now connected to the city centre.' Read more: Glasgow From Above is optimistic about the impact of a new 'tall building' policy which could see skyscrapers emerge from areas like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, the Trongate and Cowcaddens. Ms Menon said: 'From an economic point of view, tall buildings have to happen to make a lot of sites work. I would rather see that happening than sites lying empty or derelict for long periods of time. 'It is probably better that they are clustered in particular areas of the city, rather than take an interspersed approach which might potentially block existing vistas or be to the detriment of the skyline. I would generally see them as a positive thing. Mr Leith said: 'Glasgow needs to change. The very worst thing would be to have big, empty gap sites in the city for the next 20 years. It would be an absolute tragedy. 'It wouldn't do Glasgow any good and it wouldn't do the people of Glasgow any good.' It is hoped that the book will persuade Glaswegians to venture into parts of the city they have never previously visited. Ms Menon added: 'I think we tend to live and work in our own little bubbles, and commute using the same routes. 'People may have preconceptions about places, but when they visit they will see that there are hidden gems there.'