Cornwall is a magical place to be. With its world-famous coastline and incredible beaches, it’s no wonder this special part of the country is the destination of choice for thousands of visitors every year.
Staying in Cornish coastal hideaways or a holiday cottage is the best way to make the most of your ‘proper Cornish’ break. Classic Cottages has got Cornwall covered, with up to 695 properties, from cosy hideaways to grand Victorian villas. Here we round up a few of our popular picks…
Nancemellan, Crackington Haven
Sleeps 14 + 2 cots. Dogs welcome. 7 nights from £1,950.
Seven bedrooms, ten acres and a prime position on the north Cornwall coast make this Grade II-listed Edwardian home the perfect backdrop for a get-together to remember.
Split over three floors, the spacious interior has seven bedrooms, which can sleep up to 14 guests.
The open plan kitchen, dining and living room is the heart of the house with views down towards the sea.
Outside, there’s enough space in the vast garden for kids, dogs, friends, grandparents etc to enjoy playing, plus there’s a patio area for barbecues and sunset watching.
If you manage to tear yourself away from the garden and local beach, the surfing and seaside town of Bude is a short car ride away. Walkers can quickly access the South West Coast Path, or else Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks are within reach.
WE LOVE: Finding a quiet spot. It’s easy to find a restful retreat at Nancellan – for a few minutes at least.
St Morwenna, near Tintagel
Sleeps 8. No pets. 7 nights from £1,203.
Style and substance come together in a home from home that will probably leave you with a touch of house envy. The views inside St Morwenna are almost as pretty as the outlook. The owners have used a clever combination of calming coastal colours, textures and high-end accessories which make the most of the high ceilings and period features of this Victoria villa.
The impressive hallway sets the scene with its grand staircase and tiled floor leading off into the kitchen/dining room. The living area is gentle and cosy with a wood-burner for chillier nights. Bedrooms are stylish and dressed with luxurious linens.
Don’t forget to venture outside, however. The garden has lots of different levels to explore and a dining area for sunny evenings.
This part of the coast is great for walkers and easy to access from the house. And just up the road, you’ll find St Nectan’s Glen. And head along the River Trevillet to see some waterfalls.
WE LOVE: The pretty window seat. It’s made for sitting and looking and doing not much else.
Tretawny, Perranporth
Sleeps 6 + cot, dogs welcome. 7 nights from £1,189.
They don’t come much more chocolate-box perfect than this thatched cottage near the north Cornwall coast.
Light, bright and ready to welcome up to six guests and a dog, Tretawny is as friendly as they come. Original curved stone walls and a winding path make visitors feel welcome on arrival before discovering to the cosy and stylish surroundings inside. Quality time is easily done here around the large dining table, well kitted out kitchen and comfortable living room. The kids can make the most of the snug room – ideal for those precious periods of downtime. A big, deep bath, larger than king-sized bed in bedroom one and a cute bunkbed room means everyone can relax and make the most of their Cornish break. Tretawny is just a mile from the surf and glorious sandy beaches at Perranporth, a town with traditional seaside charm by the bucketful.
WE LOVE: Walking to the delightful 17th century pub nearby. The Bolingey Inn serves real ales and homecooked food. The roasts are particularly popular.
Gulls Way, Praa Sands
Sleeps 6 (no children under 10), no pets. 7 nights from £666.
With the Atlantic Ocean right outside the window, it will be difficult to do anything but gaze outside and plan your next trip down to the beach here at this perfectly placed holiday home.
Gulls Way is a great family-friendly retreat with everything you need to enjoy your elevated position above Praa Sands.
The sun porch and patio are probably where you’ll spend most of your time after a day beside the seaside. (There’s an outdoor hot shower, for washing off wetsuits and sandy feet.)
Everything inside is on one level, making it easy to eat, drink, sit and sleep in comfortable shades of coastal blues and whites.
More adventurous types can make the most of the activities on offer in and around this popular part of Cornwall. Praa Sands has its own surf school, plus there’s a golf and country club nearby.
WE LOVE: Dining on the terrace. It overlooks the ocean and is the perfect spot for a pre-surf breakfast.
White Cottage, nr Falmouth
Sleeps 4 + cot, no pets. 7 nights from £820.
The Helford River is the star of the show for guests staying in this traditional Cornish cottage. In fact, the waterside view greets visitors from the private driveway before setting foot inside the whitewashed walls. Once your feet are under the table, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner looking out over the Helford.
French windows open out onto the large sunny terrace and an acre of garden, which leads right down to the water’s edge and a private slipway.
Back on dry land, all three bedrooms have river views and the cosy sitting room has a stable door out onto the terrace. If you fancy getting out and about, Falmouth is a ten-minute drive away. This fab town with its creative vibe and cool independents is a must-visit.
WE LOVE: Going large. Got extra family or friends in tow? They can stay in Creek Cottage, just 100 yards away from White Cottage.
Coastguard Cottage, Mousehole
Sleeps 4 (no children under 2), dogs welcome. 7 nights from £744.
You can’t help but nestle into Mousehole (pronounced ‘mowzel’). Coastguard Cottage provides the ideal set-up for a visit to this historic fishing village in west Cornwall. It’s cute and quaint in here with a fresh feel, thanks to some thoughtful interior design that celebrates the heritage of this Cornish cottage. Comfortable sofas and a lovely light kitchen will make gathering together a real treat.
Narrow and steep stairs (typical of these buildings) lead to two nicely styled bedrooms and one of the two shower rooms.
Outside, have fun finding the ‘secret garden’, located just down a small lane adjacent to the cottage. It’s perfect for soaking up the sunshine and taking part in important planning meetings about what to do during your stay. Mousehole might be small but it’s big on charm. There’s a good selection of cafes, pubs, restaurants, art galleries and more in those little streets.
WE LOVE: The finishing touches, especially the nautical lighting in the downstairs shower room.
5 Valency Row, Boscastle
Sleeps 4 (no children under 5), no pets. 7 nights from £638.
Experience life in the heart of a busy harbourside village, once a thriving port that served much of north Cornwall. This two-bedroomed cottage couldn’t be better placed, just moments away from the shops, galleries, pubs, cafes, coastal walks and ancient woodland in and around Boscastle.
The Grade II-listed cottage has been renovated to show off its charm and character, while creating a cosy, modern space designed for rest and relaxation. From the deep sofas in the living room to the soft, calming pastel tones in the bedrooms, there’s great comfort inside these stone walls.
Like many traditional cottages, the bathroom is on the ground floor but there’s also a toilet upstairs.
Slate steps outside the back of the building lead up to a pretty terraced garden with a bird’s eye view of the rooftops below.
WE LOVE: Relaxing in the sitting room. You’ll be in holiday mode from the minute you put your feet up in here.
Rose Cottage, St Mawes
Sleeps 6 + 2 cots, no pets. 7 nights from £997.
An elevated position over the village St Mawes is a pretty idyllic place to be. Rose Cottage is three floors of coastal living in a sought-after fishing village and much-loved holiday destination.
Spacious rooms and high ceilings make the most of that unique Cornish light. The open plan living area on the ground floor offers guests a relaxing space to sit back and be distracted by the view.
The terrace is the place to eat (if you’re lucky with the weather)or else the dining table is just in-between the kitchen and living area. Bedroom three has a fabulous view from the French doors. A coin toss might be in order to decide who bags this room, although the other two are just as comfortable.
The well-maintained beautiful garden with a view has been planted to offer shade on a hot sunny day. Find the swing seat and sit with a book without a care in the world.
WE LOVE: The pretty pastel bunk beds. The kids probably won’t realise how lucky they are to have such stylish quarters.
