18 of the best holiday cottages in Cornwall
Cornwall boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in the UK — known for its rugged cliffs and crisp blue waters. British holidaymakers flock to Cornwall to enjoy all it has to offer, and one of the best ways to get under the skin of this salty corner of the UK is to take over a cottage and live like a local.
We’ve gathered our 18 favourite tried-and-tested holiday cottages, houses and manors in Cornwall, whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat with a sea view or a mansion with space to house the whole crew. If you want to explore more homely stays, see our round up of the best Airbnbs in Cornwall.
Where should I stay while visiting Cornwall?
Each town offers up a unique experience, so it depends on what type of holiday you’re looking for. You can head to St Ives, home to a Tate and the Barbara Hepworth sculpture gardens, providing the perfect combination of coast and culture. If you’re looking for some of the finest seafood in Cornwall, then it’s best to holiday in Padstow, where you can enjoy Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant while looking out at the River Camel.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.
Form PhotographyEnnys
Ennys is a charming getaway tucked away in the rolling hills and craggy coastline of southwest Cornwall. The main home was previously a Georgian manor house, with four self-catering, beautiful stone cottages (previously the former granary and dairy) situated amongst rolling grounds and blooming gardens. The property is undoubtedly a labour of love, beautifully curated by husband-wife duo Karen and Nick. There are twenty acres of wild pasture to explore, equipped with picnic tables, ideal for taking in the sunset’s colours with a tipple. We called the Garden Cottage home for three nights, with its own terrace overlooking the Ennys’ gardens. Inside, it’s all fine linen textures and creamy hues, punctuated by dusty pinks and deep blues, as well as carefully chosen antique pieces that nod to the history of each cottage. Each room is adorned with bouquets from the garden, with August’s finest blooms like Anemones and Sweet Peas. You’ll find the master bedroom overlooking the front gardens, which are lit with twinkling lights each evening. The pillowy bed is covered with breezy linen sheets and a thick golden quilt for a touch of colour. Spend your days rambling through the land, before sitting by the pool for an afternoon of reading and dips (peep the hand-made umbrellas from India – my favourite was the pink). If you want to get away for the day, then hop in the car to visit many of Cornwall’s wonders. Ennys’ is just a short drive from Prussia Cove (I recommend Bessy’s Cove, which is a short walk from the car park). Afterwards, head to Trevaskis Farm, an incredibly well-stocked farm shop where you can Pick-Your-Own and get lost amongst rows and rows of strawberries, pears, and blackberries. Grab some bits for dinner before cooking up a delicious meal to enjoy on the sun-soaked patio. Amber Port
Address: Ennys, Trewhella Ln, Penzance TR20 9BZ
Price: From £1,412 per week
Elliott WhiteThe Calf House
Just a short drive from Newquay and Mawgan Porth, this cute holiday home is the perfect base for a Cornish escape. Cornwall’s foodiest town is home to some of the county’s best restaurants, from Rick Stein's Fistral and Paul Ainsworth at No6 to the original Prawn on the Lawn, while the beaches of Mawgan Porth are legendary. Wake up and head straight to town for a day spent feasting on Newquay’s finest (dont skip an obligatory pasty from Morris), before heading to the long, sandy stretches of Mawgan Porth (stop by the Scarlet for a cocktail with a view).
Back at your stone-walled cottage, soak in the outdoor hot tub (weather-permitting – Cornwall's wild and wet climates can be unpredictable at best) and cuddle up in the living area – an open-plan space complete with wooden beams, cosy sofas and armchairs, well-equipped kitchen and comfy bedroom. The bathroom is spacious, with a deep-set bathtub and walk-in shower, and there's a private garden area for four-legged friends to roam around freely. It's a lovely spot for a romantic, food-filled getaway. Olivia Morelli
Address: Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
Price: Three nights from £619, one week from £750 (custom breaks also available)
The Carthouse
Just outside the quaint town of St Buryan, The Carthouse balances the rough-and-ready rusticity of a countryside house with an elegant, wholesome aesthetic. This converted 18th-century barn is now a two-bedroom home – think sprawling open-plan spaces, thick wooden beams, marble islands, a cosy living room with a log burner centrepiece, and plenty of rustic touches throughout. The bedrooms are just as lovely as each other – choose between a four-poster bed with fluttering pink curtains, a pastel-hued master bedroom with a giant king-sized bed, or cuddle up in the adorable summer house outside (complete with ensuite and kitchenette). Spend days exploring the wild western coast (Pedn Vounder, one of Cornwall’s best beaches, is a short drive away) before lighting up the wood-fired hot tub or warming up in the freestanding bathtub inside. Olivia Morelli
Address: St Buryan (near Porthcurno)
Price: Three nights from £735, one week from £890 (custom breaks also available)
Coombeshead Farm
This house is pared-back cottagecore at its finest. Inside, it’s all creams, butters and sandy hues, complete with rickety wooden tables, rocking chairs, cosy corners. Spend days strolling through the vast grounds nearby, saying hello to the farm's pigs and cows, traversing through fairytale woodland, and across wildflower meadows. Evenings here are for cosying up in the living room or lazing in the freestanding bathtub (there’s even a skylight to stargaze while you bathe). There is everything you need for a self-catered stay, but if you’d like to take an evening off, book into the farm-to-table restaurant – one of the region’s best (and most sustainable) places to eat. You can also stop by the farm’s bakery for a loaf of freshly baked bread, the honesty bar to make yourself a drink, or the on-site shop for homemade jams and produce from the farm. Olivia Morelli
Address: Lewannick, Launceston PL15 7QQ
Price: From £290 per night (sleeps up to six)
- wildlife makes it a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and there are binoculars on hand if you fancy twitching. You have to go outside to get from one hut to the other, so inclement weather might put paid to cups of tea in bed; but the quirkiness and secluded setting are a major part of The Limit's appeal.\n<strong>Address:</strong> The Limit, Hollywell Bay<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £1,395 per week, £1,095 per short break (sleeps two)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"Unique Homestays","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_320,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_640,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_640,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_1280,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_1024,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_2048,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_1280,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b61/master/w_1280,c_limit/the-limit-aug20-unique-homestays2.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Unique HomestaysThe Limit, Hollywell Bay
Just a couple of miles south of Newquay – but a million miles away from its raucous atmosphere – is Holywell, a village whose main charms are a 13th-century thatched pub, the Treguth Inn, and Holywell Bay beach, backed by huge dunes. At the end of the village is The Limit, which was rescued from brambly overgrowth and renovated by local couple Rebecca and Steve Peck.
Accommodation is in two 1930s clapboard beach huts – one for living in, the other for sleeping. Painted in pretty pastel colours, they have just enough space for two people and a refreshing lack of hi-tech wizardry. The huts are linked by a lovely deck with a hot tub and a fire pit overlooking the dunes.
The area's wildlife makes it a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and there are binoculars on hand if you fancy twitching. You have to go outside to get from one hut to the other, so inclement weather might put paid to cups of tea in bed; but the quirkiness and secluded setting are a major part of The Limit's appeal.
Address: The Limit, Hollywell Bay
Price: From £1,395 per week, £1,095 per short break (sleeps two) - Verbier, has a keen eye for interior design. Swedish antiques and vintage furnishings give the house its charm (the networked Crestron music system, TVs, Sky boxes, Wii console and iPod docks are unobtrusively located). The sisal rugs, striped curtains and antique toys would look perfectly at home in a glossy interiors magazine, but that's not to say there are any airs and graces.\nThe on-site chef will rustle up dishes to leave in the fridge for your arrival, or discuss menus for a more formal dinner party. She invites guests to wander round the vegetable patch, and you'll see her around as you lounge by the circular infinity pool or work off lunch on the tennis court. The beach at Porthilly Cove is a 10-minute walk away. Also close by is the two-<a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/article/michelin-star-restaurants-uk-2020/">Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw restaurant and the less formal Sharp's brewery.\n<strong>Address:</strong> Treverra Farm Cottage, Wadebridge, PL27 6JY<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £2,000 per week (sleeps eight in three bedrooms and a children's room)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"Simon Brown","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_320,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_640,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_640,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_1280,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_1024,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_2048,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_1280,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedadab1fb48d7ae60bb8/master/w_1280,c_limit/treverra-farm-cottage-aug20-simon-brown21.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Simon BrownTreverra Farm Cottage, Rock
Treverra Farm Cottage is a beautifully restored, 18th-century farmhouse in 14 acres just outside Rock, the destination of choice for young royals. Owner Liz Berman, who alongside her husband Charlie honed her hospitality skills running six gorgeous chalets in Verbier, has a keen eye for interior design. Swedish antiques and vintage furnishings give the house its charm (the networked Crestron music system, TVs, Sky boxes, Wii console and iPod docks are unobtrusively located). The sisal rugs, striped curtains and antique toys would look perfectly at home in a glossy interiors magazine, but that's not to say there are any airs and graces.
The on-site chef will rustle up dishes to leave in the fridge for your arrival, or discuss menus for a more formal dinner party. She invites guests to wander round the vegetable patch, and you'll see her around as you lounge by the circular infinity pool or work off lunch on the tennis court. The beach at Porthilly Cove is a 10-minute walk away. Also close by is the two-Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw restaurant and the less formal Sharp's brewery.
Address: Treverra Farm Cottage, Wadebridge, PL27 6JY
Price: From £2,000 per week (sleeps eight in three bedrooms and a children's room) 
Camel Quarry House, Padstow
The farm track that leads to Camel Quarry House is an unlikely introduction to this stylishly minimalist retreat – a crisp cube with a wood-and-glass box on top, in the beautifully stark surroundings of a former quarry. The house was built by artist Emma Cooper-Key on the site of a beloved 17th-century property that was destroyed by fire. She had no intention of recreating what stood there before, although the old slate was incorporated into the new building. The simple white walls and concrete floors have a soothing feel; the place is unadorned, says Cooper-Key, so as not to detract from the amazing views of the Camel Estuary (for clarification: not home to any actual camels).
Outside, there are landscaped gardens (with a hot tub) from which a path leads to the Camel Trail. This 18-mile route, great for walks and bike rides, meanders along a disused railway line between Bodmin and the coast. The beach in front of the house is shingly and a bit muddy, which makes for excellent low-tide shrimping; for a proper sandy beach, it's a 10-minute cycle up the trail to Padstow, where Rick Stein's empire of fish restaurants is as big a draw as the lovely Hawker's Cove on the far side of town.
Address: Camel Quarry House, North Cornwall, PL27 7HZ
Price: From £3,000 per week (sleeps 16 in six bedrooms)- best holiday homes in the UK</a></strong>\n<strong>Address:</strong> The Shipwreck, Portwrinkle, Whitsand Bay<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £1,195 for a three-night long weekend (sleeps two adults and two children)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"David Curran / Unique Homestays","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":480,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_320,c_limit/2british.jpg"},{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_640,c_limit/2british.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_640,c_limit/2british.jpg"},{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_1280,c_limit/2british.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":1536,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_1024,c_limit/2british.jpg"},{"height":3072,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_2048,c_limit/2british.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_1280,c_limit/2british.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611beb684e09f53b43732dab/master/w_1280,c_limit/2british.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
David Curran / Unique HomestaysThe Shipwreck, Whitsand Bay
Set on the cliffside near the 17th-century fishing village of Portwrinkle, this cabin is more resurrection than ruin, entirely fashioned from wood recovered from Kodima, an actual shipwreck that sailed her last into nearby Whitsands Bay. Now the home is a masterclass in maximising space. A puzzle of pocket doors and loft cupboards; an old-fashioned trunk serving as a coffee table; a TV that swings between rooms; and a squeezed-in window seat for gazing out to sea.
What pulls everything together, like the buttons on a sailor’s trousers, is the nautical theme. Spot illustrations of sails throughout the centuries on walls and the odd shell or message in a bottle on shelves. There’s just no escaping the sea here – its repetitive chorus fills your eyes, ears, lungs, bones.
Read the full review in our guide to the best holiday homes in the UK
Address: The Shipwreck, Portwrinkle, Whitsand Bay
Price: From £1,195 for a three-night long weekend (sleeps two adults and two children)
The Village, Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is justly renowned for its beachside hotel, both of which are packed for much of the year. Until recently, there's been a lack of decent self-catering accommodation in the immediate vicinity, but a couple of smart new developments are putting that right. They are mainly aimed at those who want to avail themselves of the multiple activities at the Extreme Academy, which offers water sports in the bay, without having to forgo creature comforts.
The best, most exclusive place to stay is The Village, a collection of eight apartments on the hill above the hotel. It is run by the Cornish company Beach Retreats, and the basics are all the same – balconies, high-spec finishes and eco-friendly features such as sedum roofs and air-source heat pumps – but individual owners have added personal touches. Privacy is less of an issue than you might think given the proximity of your neighbours; each apartment feels a bit like a spacious modern hotel suite, but without the hotel.
Address: The Village, Watergate Bay, Newquay, TR8
Price: From £680 per week (sleeps four or five in each two-bedroom apartment)- beaches are among the <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/location/uk/">UK's best, and on a sunny day the turquoise water can look like the <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/location/caribbean/">Caribbean./nCompass House is the only property actually on Porthminster beach. The Edwardian weatherboard villa is pristine and light-filled, with a veranda encased in glass so you can play lord of the manor whatever the weather. All the usual amenities are here, but the views are the star attraction. Being situated directly above the famous Porthminster Beach Café means you can people-watch from your garden and run down for sustenance as soon as you spot a free table on its terrace. You can't park outside the house (parking is up the road in the station car park), but that's a small price to pay for being able to step from the front gate straight onto the sand.\n<strong>Address:</strong> Compass House, Primrose Valley, St Ives, TR26 2ED<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> Three nights from £1,596 (sleeps six in three bedrooms)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_320,c_limit/compass.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_640,c_limit/compass.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_640,c_limit/compass.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_1280,c_limit/compass.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_1024,c_limit/compass.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_2048,c_limit/compass.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_1280,c_limit/compass.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedad8cad268421c2d32a/master/w_1280,c_limit/compass.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Compass House, St Ives
Not many places combine coast and culture with the aplomb of St Ives. The best thing about staying here is that, after ticking off sights such as the Tate, you have time to enjoy the town's other charms – eating freshly caught crab, exploring artists' studios among the cobbled streets – when the day-trippers have gone. The beaches are among the UK's best, and on a sunny day the turquoise water can look like the Caribbean.
Compass House is the only property actually on Porthminster beach. The Edwardian weatherboard villa is pristine and light-filled, with a veranda encased in glass so you can play lord of the manor whatever the weather. All the usual amenities are here, but the views are the star attraction. Being situated directly above the famous Porthminster Beach Café means you can people-watch from your garden and run down for sustenance as soon as you spot a free table on its terrace. You can't park outside the house (parking is up the road in the station car park), but that's a small price to pay for being able to step from the front gate straight onto the sand.
Address: Compass House, Primrose Valley, St Ives, TR26 2ED
Price: Three nights from £1,596 (sleeps six in three bedrooms) - Britain. The long journey to sweet little cliffside village Coverack is worth it, not only to experience its time-capsule shops and restaurants, kooky nearby Terence Coventry Sculpture Park and salty air, but for Ukiyo, one of the finest modern houses in the UK.\nOriginally a blocky Sixties family home, the building has been entirely revamped, with all but the upstairs floorboards torn apart, replaced and reworked. Now it’s an arresting, open-plan and <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/topic/sustainable-travel/">eco-friendly ode to the view before it, designed to enable guests to stare out thoughtfully from almost every corner – including the bath and walk-in shower. Filled with locally crafted furniture and quirky artifacts (a coffee table shaped like an alligator, Bulgarian milking stools), it has personality in spades while remaining pared back and airy. Plus it feels like home – albeit in your wildest dreams.\nStep through a sliding door to the palm-tree-lined side garden, framed by romantic pampas grass swaying in the sea breeze, to dip into the cedar hot tub or curl up on a chair in front of the firepit, keeping watch for dolphins, seals and swooping birds on the horizon. <em>Becky Lucas</em>\n<strong>Address:</strong> Ukiyo, Sunny Corner, Coverack, Cornwall<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £1,450 per three nights (sleeps four)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"Unique Homestays","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":480,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_320,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"},{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_640,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_640,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"},{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_1280,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":1536,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_1024,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"},{"height":3072,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_2048,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_1280,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaddb797d0116fd4b62/master/w_1280,c_limit/2ukiyo-nov20-unique.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Unique HomestaysUkiyo, Coverack
Drive on for about half an hour and you’ll head straight into the sea at Lizard Point – the most southerly spot on mainland Britain. The long journey to sweet little cliffside village Coverack is worth it, not only to experience its time-capsule shops and restaurants, kooky nearby Terence Coventry Sculpture Park and salty air, but for Ukiyo, one of the finest modern houses in the UK.
Originally a blocky Sixties family home, the building has been entirely revamped, with all but the upstairs floorboards torn apart, replaced and reworked. Now it’s an arresting, open-plan and eco-friendly ode to the view before it, designed to enable guests to stare out thoughtfully from almost every corner – including the bath and walk-in shower. Filled with locally crafted furniture and quirky artifacts (a coffee table shaped like an alligator, Bulgarian milking stools), it has personality in spades while remaining pared back and airy. Plus it feels like home – albeit in your wildest dreams.
Step through a sliding door to the palm-tree-lined side garden, framed by romantic pampas grass swaying in the sea breeze, to dip into the cedar hot tub or curl up on a chair in front of the firepit, keeping watch for dolphins, seals and swooping birds on the horizon. Becky Lucas
Address: Ukiyo, Sunny Corner, Coverack, Cornwall
Price: From £1,450 per three nights (sleeps four) 
Trevone Farm, Padstow
Designed by Jill Stein (business partner and ex-wife of the King of Padstow, Rick), this cluster of four stone-and-glass cottages overlooks the sweeping cliffs of Trevone Bay. Jill has nailed what you need at a Cornish holiday house: toasty warm flagstone floors for little feet chilled by paddling in the Atlantic and enough wine glasses to have the whole village round for drinks.
The coastal-themed interiors have nautical stripes, sackcloth cushions and fishy artwork. And fish is what it's all about here: two miles down the road is the Padstow Seafood School where budding cooks can try their hand at getting live lobster from the tank to the plate. Or leave it to the professionals and book in for supper at The Seafood Restaurant.
Address: Trevone Farm, Trevone Road, Padstow, PL28 8QN
Price: From £540 for a three-night weekend (sleeps eight)
- best holiday cottages in the UK</a></strong>\n<strong>Address:</strong> Little Polgarron, Booby's Bay, Padstow, PL28 8SH<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £4,300 for a three-night weekend (sleeps 10)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_320,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_640,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_640,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_1280,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_1024,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_2048,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_1280,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bebe88cad268421c2d183/master/w_1280,c_limit/Little-Polgarron-Traveller-8Aug13-PR_b.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Little Polgarron, Trevose
This is so close to North Cornwall's foamy Atlantic coast that only sleeping on the sand will get you nearer. Set above the gloriously named Booby's Bay, this place is all about the sea. The house is a vast affair: swathed in glass and with huge timbered gables, it's cleverly angled so every room can watch the water. Inside, all is unfussy, elemental and on a giant scale. Upstairs, raftered bedrooms are furnished with deckchair colours, bleached wood and funky tree-trunk stools.
Spend your time sampling the beaches, rock-pooling at Trevone, hiking and browsing the in-house library. Eat in nearby Padstow and Rock (best book ahead) or summon a private chef to the shiny Gaggenau kitchen.
Read the full review in our guide to the best holiday cottages in the UK
Address: Little Polgarron, Booby's Bay, Padstow, PL28 8SH
Price: From £4,300 for a three-night weekend (sleeps 10) 
Barford House, Poundstock
This quirky beach house is a few steps from the shell-strewn beach of Wanson Mouth, on the north Cornwall coast. It’s all nooks and crannies: step from one room to another through a Narnia-esque wardrobe with an open back, climb a stepladder to a mezzanine bed and watch the waves roll to shore through a mini brass porthole, or head to the lawned garden where the bottom of an abandoned fishing boat – a former art installation – has been turned into a children's playhouse.
With its own bar, pool table, vintage arcade games and a thumping sound-and-light system, it's a kickstarter for off-the-cuff parties. Recover the morning after with a sweat in the sauna, a bracing dunk with the cold-water bucket shower, or a decent massage with one of the local therapists.The design feels urban, masculine, moody. Repurposed 1960s Parisian streetlamps hang in the atrium, while the kitchen and living room have elegant copper-clad walls and deep-smoked oak flooring. Or head to the wood-fired hot tub outside to watch the stars come out.
Address: Barford House, Poundstock, EX23 0DF
Price: From £2,014 for three nights (sleeps 16)5 more cottages we like the look of
- St Mawes</a>, this cream beach house has great views of the water and rolling hills. Inside, all is soothing, nautical whites and blues, with flagstone floors and a wood burner for out-of-season stays. There’s a big dining table for group suppers and a cute breakfast room overlooking the slate roofs of neighbouring houses.\n<strong>Address:</strong> Hillside Stone Cottage, Portloe<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £90 a night (sleeps six)<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_320,c_limit/hillside.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_640,c_limit/hillside.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_640,c_limit/hillside.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_1280,c_limit/hillside.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_1024,c_limit/hillside.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_2048,c_limit/hillside.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_1280,c_limit/hillside.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedaf231ed5e8dfa34553/master/w_1280,c_limit/hillside.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Hillside Stone Cottage, Portloe
Sitting above the waves of Portloe, about 20 minutes from pretty St Mawes, this cream beach house has great views of the water and rolling hills. Inside, all is soothing, nautical whites and blues, with flagstone floors and a wood burner for out-of-season stays. There’s a big dining table for group suppers and a cute breakfast room overlooking the slate roofs of neighbouring houses.
Address: Hillside Stone Cottage, Portloe
Price: From £90 a night (sleeps six) 
The Barley Mill
Previous guests have described this cottage as something out of a fairytale, and we’re sure that Hansel and Gretal would have been more than happy to hole up here for a while. The interiors lean into the storybook theme; chunky wooden kitchen cabinets with brass handles, a big log burner with a big stash of wood, and a cosy bed dressed in plum linen sheets and frilly patterned cushions. Better yet, this 19th-century mill house is one of the few that sit within the Marsland nature reserve itself. If you’re after a real woodland hideaway, this is the place. Look out to views over the ancient forest set to the sounds of a bubbling brook. Head one mile through the trees and you’ll reach the beach after a short amble.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £268 per night, with a two-night minimum
Honey Cottage
Beachy, breezy and contemporary; that’s the vibe at Honey Cottage. This is a spacious townhouse for two, set over three beautifully designed floors, with a decked courtyard ripe for evening sundowners and morning coffees. True to the cottage’s name, ochre yellow throws, rattan lampshades and the odd gleaming golden tap in the bathroom and kitchen do bring a honeyed feel, and a seaside note is hit courtesy of whitewashed wooden floorboards and natural finishes throughout. Look out of the windows for sparkly sea views, and when it’s time to head out, Falmouth’s charming centre is just a hop and a skip away on foot. Head here for an education on Cornwall’s maritime history, excellent seafood at its many restaurants, and all the blustery beach walks you can muster.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £158 per night, with a four-night minimum
MIKE SEARLELiberty Barn
Is this Cornwall’s most romantic Airbnb? Quite possibly, with its wood-fired hot tub on the balcony to be enjoyed à deux under the stars. In fact, there’s a private spa to enjoy, with a sauna, fire pit, and outdoor shower. In the winter months, a wood-burning stove makes a perfect place to gather around and, in warmer weather, there’s a hammock to recline in with your book after a good old countryside romp. The fully equipped kitchen is ample for date night suppers, but should it all be too much, chat to your hosts. Mark is an excellent chef, so let him prepare something and deliver it by hand. Bringing the family is no issue – children will be cosy on the sofa bed, and one large or two small dogs are welcome, too.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £154 per night, with a two-night minimum
The Annex
The road down to the Annex is a little bumpy, but don’t let that put you off. Once you’re in, you’re rewarded with a real hidden gem surrounded by rolling fields as far as you can see. The home itself is nearly 300 years old and there’s plenty of original features to explore, including the jewel of the stay: a room with a big old well right in the centre, now used as a dining table. Hosts Lucy and Andrew have done a great job renovating, and now all mod cons and stylish contemporary furniture sit happily alongside the old stone walls and beams. The home is self-contained, with a garden shared with the hosts. Sit outside in the summer, and they’ll be happy to chat.
Sleeps: Three
Price: From around £115 per night
New England-style villa in north Cornwall
On Cornwall’s north coast, between Port Isaac and Tintagel lies Trebarwith Strand, transformed at low tide into a magical golden sand beach. Above it, with views sweeping across the coast is The Paddock, a New England-style beach house big enough for families, but cozy enough for small groups. Combining luxury with blissful comfort, everything has been thought of, from the EV charger outside to a fabulous DVD collection in the games room. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including one with bunks and pirate bunting for kids, and a master bedroom with a private balcony. Downstairs, off a sunlit corridor, are two more bedrooms. There are five bathrooms (three en-suite), all finished in white marble with Parquet de Versailles floors. And the airy living room and kitchen can be opened up with bi-fold doors onto the wrap-around slate terrace; there you can choose an Adirondack chair or run down the lawn to a swing set. For al fresco meals there’s a sunken deck and picnic table by the Kamado barbeque and pizza oven. At night you can sit around the fire pit or, if it’s chilly, go inside to generous sofas with fur throws and light the wood burner.
Perfect Stays also offers a concierge service with choices ranging from coastal rock climbing to a private chef. We enjoyed a fabulous meal prepared by master mixologist and chef Will from Sauce Cornwall, served at the Paddock’s marble-topped kitchen island. All ingredients were local, most from Will’s own garden, including the corn he nixtamalized himself for bite-sized tostadas topped with lobster caught that morning in Padstow and the rhubarb compote with custard ice cream made with milk from the Trink Dairy in St. Ives – the milk is so good Dua Lipa helicoptered in from Glastonbury last year to get some.
Sleeps: 10-14
Price: From about £2,350 per week
