Camelias work really well. They aren't the fastest growing, but they are compact and resist wind burn.

How about a christmas box or laurel hedge.

Or nice beech hedge.

http://www.shrubsdirect.com/shop/hedging-plants.html?gclid=CPLRwaLRg6wCFcgc4QodVFujJg

http://www.hedgenursery.co.uk/?gclid=CKKYmq7Rg6wCFUoY4QodBR8LJA

http://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CMf6j7nRg6wCFcod4Qodh2umRQ

It is the burnet rose, Rosa spinosissima, that I particulary associate with hedging by the sea.

Interesting, to me, seaside hedging is Griselinia, or Escallonia, or hardy Fuchsias (which give very little shelter in winter). Here, Burnet roses grow about 6 inches high and hug the ground.

Tamarisk come to mind, as does a hedge of Christmas box and Laurel as ScotKat has mentioned. Photonia Red Robin also does well. Make a hardy hedge and the options open up as that will provide a wind break.

You can get away with quite a lot of bulbs, due to the milder microclimate. Crocosmia seems to excel by the seaside for example.

Maybe we have the same name for a different rose, Beattie? Our burnett rose grows to about a meter and a half and forms a solid, thorney hedge - scented flowers in summer and large, dark berries in autumn.

That's a good theory Bulbaholic. I've Googled "Burnet Rose" and found Rosa pimpernellifolia and R. spinosissima are both called Burnet Rose.

Round here R. pimpernellifolia grows as low cushions on cliffs and steep coastal slopes exposed to wind and spray. No doubt they WOULD grow bigger if given some shelter. I've never noticed any rose hips on them.

Rosa Rugosa and hydrangeas both grow OK by the sea. I have seen tamarisk growing on sand dunes in Sussex.
Hypericum Hidcote would be worth a try. For low growing plants try almeria (thrift) which grows on cliffs. Cowslips do well, and so does sea campion Silene maritima, and heathers don't mind wind at all. Avoid conifers.

Have a look round neighbouring gardens to see what does well.

Be bery careful if you try Silene maritima. I love the look of it, collected some seed and sprinkled them in the garden. What a mistake!! It's a terrible thug - I'm constantly pulling it up - learn from my mistake and don't let it in through the gate.

Here's a list from my encyclopaedia of 'Plants for Seaside Gardens' - some will already have been mentioned above I expect:
Arbutus, Brachyglottis, Caryopteris, Ceanothus, Cistus, Corokia, Cotoneaster, Cytisus, Elaeagnus, Erica, Escallonia, Euonymus, Euphorbia, Fuchsia, Genista, Griselinia, Halimium, Hippophae, Hydrangea, Ilex, Lavender, Olearia, Phlomis, Pittosporum, Potentilla, Rosemary, Santolina, Spartium, Tamarix, Ulex (all shrubs)

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. Will let you know how I get on.
Already have 4 huge tamarisk on one fence and eleagnus one another but needed some variety.

That's odd Beattie - I had it in my garden in Staffordshire and it didn't spread at all. It does go mad on the sea cliffs though, so it must depend on where you plant it.

Well maybe, but I wish I'd left it there....

How about a nice dose of glyphosate in the Spring?

That doesn't deal with all the seedlings popping up all over the place. Persistent pulling out is going to have to do.

:((