The arrival of Charlotte Heywood at the developing seaside resort of Sanditon exposes the social ambitions and eccentricities of the local inhabitants. Charlotte, a young woman of sensible character, observes the frantic efforts of Mr. Thomas Parker to elevate his humble fishing village into a fashionable destination. She navigates a landscape populated by hypochondriacs, opportunistic speculators, and social climbers who gather at the coast. The narrative, left incomplete at the author's death, utilizes a third-person perspective to examine the shifting dynamics of a transient community.

Readers and critics frequently highlight this work as a departure from the author's established focus on settled country villages. Discussion often centers on the experimental tone and the shift toward a more cynical, observational style regarding social ambition. Many note that the unfinished nature of the manuscript leaves the reader with a sense of curiosity about the intended resolution of the various subplots. Scholars often point to the text as a significant example of the author's evolving vision during her final months. The balance of light humor and social critique remains a primary point of interest for those studying the development of the English novel.