January is a great time for a relaxing staycation by the sea. Bracing walks followed by cosying up in front of an open fire is the ideal way to start the year. Here are some of our favourite picture-perfect cottages to rent for your first break of 2026
Words Alex Fisher
1. Tides Reach, Mousehole, Cornwall
Tides Reach is a period stone cottage located directly on the harbour front in Mousehole. With picture windows overlooking the water, a cosy wood-burning stove and a location within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafés and shops, it’s the perfect spot for a winter getaway. Outside at the front is a stone terrace with a table and chairs. Mousehole is a historic fishing village – once a key pilchard port.
Free Wi-Fi is included and there’s public parking nearby. The property sleeps up to four, from £855 per week (luxurycoastal.co.uk).
2. Porth Farm Cottages, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
A pretty renovated barn conversion around 400 metres from sandy Mawgan Porth Beach, which is popular with surfers, this cosy retreat has two bedrooms, underfloor heating and a Swedish wood-burning stove. The master bedroom includes a king-size bed and en suite bathroom and the other offers zip-and-link beds for flexibility. Set in a communal garden with a picnic area, surf shower and laundry facilities, the cottage welcomes up to two well-behaved medium-sized dogs for an extra charge. Sleeps up to four, from around £672 per week in January (beachretreats.co.uk).
3. St Michael’s Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
This 16th-century property boasts original features, including exposed beams and a traditional fireplace. Set near the harbour in Wells-next-the-Sea, it’s about a mile from the sandy beach, known for its colourful huts and sweeping shoreline. The area also has easy access to coastal walks, birdwatching at Holkham National Nature Reserve and great seafood spots for dining. Sleeps four, from £1,020 for a week, with an option for sleeping up to nine also available (norfolkhideaways.co.uk).
4. Sandpiper Cottage, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland
Sandpiper Cottage is a Grade II-listed former fisherman’s cottage situated just steps from the beach in Low Newton-by-the-Sea. The property features three bedrooms – two doubles and one twin. Inside, guests will find a wood-burning stove, a well-equipped kitchen-diner and a lovely sitting room with sea views. The location is a small coastal village known for its beautiful sandy beach, the Ship Inn pub and nearby attractions, including Dunstanburgh Castle. Sleeps up to six people, with rates starting from £965 for a week in January (sykescottages.co.uk).
5. Beach Cottage, Cadgwith, Cornwall
Beach Cottage is a gorgeous single-storey property set just 100 metres from the beach in the traditional fishing village of Cadgwith. The cottage has a king-size bedroom, walk-in shower room and open-plan living area with a cute kitchen. Guests also get to enjoy the use of a private patio with uninterrupted sea views – perfect for outdoor dining and enjoying the fresh, salty air when the weather is fine. Cadgwith is famed for its picturesque harbour and the Cadgwith Cove Inn, where you can enjoy a pint and supper after a coastal walk. Sleeps two people, starting from £771 for a week (sykescottages.co.uk).
6. The Smithy, Abercastle, Pembrokeshire
Originally a blacksmith’s workshop, this pretty property has retained plenty of character features but also offers modern comforts, including a wood-burning stove, sea views from the living area and a private garden. Inside, there’s a double bedroom with an en suite, a well-equipped kitchen and a cosy living area. The cottage is close to Abercastle Harbour and just a few miles from Aberbach Beach, renowned for its wonderful shore and coastal walks. The property sleeps two and prices start from £683 for a week (coastalcottages.co.uk).
7. Hawthorn Cottage, Slapton, Devon
Hawthorn Cottage is located in Buckland Court, about a mile from the village of Slapton and its stunning three-mile beach and nature reserve. There’s an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area and cottage-style windows overlook the courtyard and shared grounds. The stone cottage connects to a gate leading to a 1.5-acre orchard and lawn with a pond, picnic tables, built‑in barbecue and children’s play area. The property sleeps up to
five people across three bedrooms and weekly rates start from £511 (toadhallcottages.co.uk).
All prices are correct at the time of going to press but may change on a daily basis
Discover some of the best Welsh winter coastal walks, our guide to a journey around the coast of Ireland or pick up the latest copy of coast magazine for more inspiration of coastal escapes.
