Five best self-catering cottages in Cornwall

1. Pentonwarra, Cornwall

This magical family house is set in an enchanting spot, on its own private headland between two beaches. Explore the long stretches of coastal path in either direction, and walk the gentle 2-mile track to Padstow. Go barefoot all week and bask on the terrace overlooking Rocky Beach, where the sun shines from late morning until the invariably spectacular sunset.

Kids will love running around on the large level garden overlooking Trevone Bay while the grown-ups light up the barbecue and enjoy a beer or two. Hunkering down in the house during a westerly gale or spring tide is quite something – you can watch the waves crashing over the rocks from your bed. Inside, find pretty period features, lots of calming furnishings and even a grand piano. The sage green roll top bath is a real treat after a busy day out on the coast!

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2. Janie’s Cottage, Mousehole

Set back from the harbour and above a gallery, this cosy granite cottage is certainly one of the most eclectic and charming cottages in Cornwall. It has been renovated beautifully and sits alongside others with its back to the village. It’s a compact and sociable space – a sitting area one end with all the mod cons hidden away, and a convivial kitchen-diner where you can settle around the big wooden table to chat while others cook.

Everyone of all ages will be quite happy here: you’ll find basics for cooking and some treats waiting for you, and books and toys for children. There’s no garden but the outside steps are a lovely spot for sitting with a morning coffee before a day of exploring. Stick to Mousehole for crabbing and cake shops, strike out along the South West Coastal Path for as long as your legs will carry you.

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3. Old Granary at Middle Colenso Farm, Penzance

We love it when one of the best self-catering cottages in Cornwall also accepts dogs! This charming stone granary is the middle one of three outbuildings on an 18th-century farm, revived and designed in rustic-chic style. The best of mid-century pieces blend with reclaimed wood, slate and linen, and all feels airy yet cosy. Snuggle up with a book by the wood-burner, chat as you chop in the kitchen; the table seats ten plus a few children, in case you come as a group.

Play boules in the shared gardens, gleaming with gunnera, banana palms and tree ferns. Retreat to your private patch, fenced, gated and furnished with a barbecue and outdoor seating. The closest beach, Perranuthnoe, is just two miles down the road, but there’s also Praa Sands just a stones throw too. As for dining, you’ve got a handful of brilliant spots right on the doorstep: try The Packet, Victoria Inn or our favourite The Old Coastguard.

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4. Beacon Cottage, Port Isaac

As self-catering cottages in Cornwall go, this is up there with one of the most stylish! Lovely old flagstones, pretty sash windows and a beamed sitting room ceiling rub shoulders happily with a modern velvet sofa, some mid-century furniture and the odd antique – it couldn’t be a more pleasant place to spend a week or so. You’re in the middle of the terrace with no cars passing, so on sunny days you’ll be planted in the garden with its tiny lawn and wooden table – there’s a fire bowl out here so you can warm yourselves after dark.

The kitchen has all the gear you need, there are basics for cooking and cleaning stuff and a bottle of Camel valley wine waiting. Lovely to escape the city and wind up here, with the village just below you and the sea air to breathe in. Wander down to a good choice of eateries, or cook up a storm with some freshly-caught fish from the village boats. Open the wine, light the wood-burner and choose a film to project onto the sitting room wall.

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5. Bosworgy Bay, Marazion

This snug space perched above the sea overlooking St Michael’s Mount will delight you whatever the weather. Bag the sofa and watch the waves crash and the skies go dark in winter or eat breakfast and sip sundowners on the balcony in summer. Although the house is an extension to an adjoining property, it feels nicely private with its own access and long views out to sea. The whole place has been kitted out with only the best quality furniture, and you’ll fall sound asleep in the cloud-like bed.

The sociable kitchen is a joy to cook in and you can pick up a haul of fresh fish from Quayside Fish in nearby Porthleven or Newlyn. There are plenty of places to eat out too: for pub grub try The Fire Engine or The Godolphin, and for exceptional seafood it’s all about Mackerel Sky. Blustery walks start on the coastal path closeby, head to Perranuthnoe beach or Praa Sands for beautiful sunsets. For something less active, mooch around the various art galleries, boutique shops and cosy pubs in town.

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