I grew up around Hampton, and I must admit that it is a pretty tacky beach. NH has less than 20 miles of seacoast, but you would be much better off traveling a little further north to find a nice beach.
By the way, the photo above taken by Snowberry is a good example of the interesting houses you will come across while driving on coastal route 1. The local rumor is that the structure on top of that house is a pool and/or hot-tub, but I have never seen it up close… It is probably just a Widow’s Walk…