Cornwall is well known for its glorious beaches and stunning scenery, but this famous region is more than just a pretty face. Many of its towns and villages have an intriguing history with tales of smugglers, myths and legends.
Attractions are plentiful, including those with world-famous statuses, such as The Eden Project, the Minack Theatre and Tate St Ives. So whether you are looking for family fun, an activity holiday or a romantic break by the sea, Cornwall has plenty of attractions, adventures and, of course, Cornwall holiday cottages, to fill your days, come rain or shine.
Located in the far southwest of the UK, Cornwall's impressive landscape provides an ideal setting for enjoying a whole host of outdoor activities, from walking along the spectacular coastal paths to the thrill of kite surfing along the sands.
With over four hundred miles of stunning coastline, there are water sports to enjoy and beautiful beaches blessed with clear waters for lazy holidays. Read more
Situated on the outskirts of the popular coastal town of Fowey, this delightful cottage provides a great base for a relaxing summer holiday by the sea or a cosy winter break where you can enjoy invigorating coastal walks and evenings by the fire. Lovely beaches, an abundance of attractions and plenty of places in Fowey for a meal out - all the right ingredients for a holiday! *Follow us on Instagram - bryonycottage.fowey*
On the North Cornish coastline, this spacious holiday home is located apx 200 yards from the coastal path, the picturesque harbour and the village of Boscastle with its pubs, shops and tea rooms. A beautiful part of North Cornwall for a self-catering holiday by the sea with an abundance of attractions, lovely beaches and fabulous walking. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
The Old Dairy is located on the outskirts of the beautiful fishing village of Boscastle on Cornwall's North Coast. With the coastal path just a mile away and excellent village amenities (including a choice of places to eat) just a pleasant stroll through the famous Valency Valley (a mile and a half) this is a perfect holiday destination for walkers and beach lovers. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
On Cornwall's stunning north coast, this welcoming holiday home enjoys a perfect position for walkers on the South West Coastal Path and strollable distance to the picturesque harbour and quaint village of Boscastle with its pubs, shops and tea rooms. A beautiful part of North Cornwall for a self-catering holiday by the sea. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
An impressive English oak framed holiday lodge with a riverside garden that perfectly combines traditional charm with modern conveniences to provide a high standard of self-catering. Located close to the many beautiful beaches and attractions of North Cornwall, the lodge is within easy driving distance of Boscastle, Tintagel and Bodmin Moor and a great base for a family holiday exploring this beautiful part of the South West. Shorter stay enquiries welcome, minimum 3 nights
This charming cottage is in Hayle on the beautiful Cornish coast. Though only 300 metres from the town centre, it is peaceful and private thanks to its secluded position. In addition to being within walking distance of beaches and the South West Coastal Path, guests are within easy reach of favourite attractions like Land's End and the Minack Theatre. This cottage is ideal for couples but also perfect for families who appreciate the high standard of accommodation and sunny courtyard garden.
Coastguard Row Cottage in West Cornwall is a former coastguard cottage transformed into a charming holiday home with stunning sea views and easy beach access. This cherished family holiday cottage in Mousehole has been welcoming visitors for 40 years, offering a tranquil retreat next to Mousehole Harbour, The Ship Inn, and popular eateries like the Old Coastguard Hotel. It sleeps four in two bedrooms, with an optional studio increasing capacity to six. Mousehole, a picturesque fishing village, has winding lanes, quaint cafes, and vibrant local culture. Enjoy coastal walks to Penzance, hire an e-bike to explore, or engage in water sports and wildlife tours. The area is also famous for the Mousehole Lights, a festive display that illuminates the village each December.
The Retreat is a detached holiday cottage in a peaceful position in the small hamlet of Treskilling in Cornwall within easy reach (just six miles) of the South Coast. Ideal for walking, cycling, golf, riding, going to the beach or visiting Cornwall's many attractions like the nearby world famous Eden Project (three miles away).
Seagulls is a stunning holiday home in St Mawes, accommodating 10-12 guests in five elegant bedrooms. Ideal for families and pets, enjoy breathtaking views of the Percuil River and Froe Creek, with a private path to the water's edge. Just a stroll away, find local amenities like a bakery, café, and the Rising Sun pub. This yachting paradise offers boating, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Explore nearby attractions like St Mawes Castle, Lamorran Gardens, and vibrant Falmouth. Enjoy beautiful walking trails from the property, making Seagulls the perfect retreat for an unforgettable Cornish escape.
Tucked snugly between the country and the sea, Talland Croft is a dream property for families and groups of friends who want to squeeze every drop of joy from their holiday in Cornwall. The house, which comfortably accommodates ten people in five bedrooms is on a quiet residential street. It is a short walk from two excellent pubs - The Old Albion and The Cornishman, and less than a twenty minute walk to Crantock Beach. Newquay is only five miles away and Talland Croft is close to Holywell Bay, Fistral Beach and Lusty Glaze Beach, as well as attractions such as the Eden Project, Minack Theatre, St Ives, St Michael's Mount, Newquay Zoo, Lanhydrock House and Trebah Gardens. You have the option of spending your holiday days exploring, relaxing on the beach or surfing, swimming, playing golf, cycling and walking endless miles of beautiful paths and country lanes.
Set in a peaceful estate just a ten-minute walk from the beach at Readymoney Cove, and 15 minutes from the heart of Fowey with a great choice of pubs and shops, The Shippen is the perfect Cornwall country cottage. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is stylishly decorated to be both comfortable and relaxing. The South West Coast Path runs nearby, and there are a wealth of beautiful beaches and coves to explore. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Do you feel like retreating from the rat race for a while? Rostowan is the perfect hideaway where you can escape from it all to the beauty of the Roseland Peninsula. The timber holiday cottage is at the end of a quarter-mile track, two miles from Portscatho and only a short walk from National Trust Towan Beach. It provides everything you need for a relaxing self-catering holiday on the Cornish coast. The property sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is dog-friendly. It's great for couples or families.
Trevean Cottage is a lovely holiday home in a beautiful location. The two-bedroom cottage sleeps four people, with a private garden and fantastic walks from the door. It is only a mile from Lamorna Cove and less than two miles from picturesque Mousehole, with easy access to Lands End, St Ives, Penzance and other favourite places around Cornwall. Guests have a wide choice of beaches as well as miles of footpaths, bridleways and cycling routes to help them enjoy this gorgeous landscape. Trevean is on the owner's 24-acre smallholding and is incredibly peaceful. It's ideal for couples or families.
With views over spectacular countryside towards the Atlantic, and a huge private garden with a hot tub and a fire pit, The Folly is a favourite with families and friends. The three-bedroom cottage sleeps five people and is dog friendly. Bude, Widemouth Bay and the South West Coast Path are only a few miles from the house, and guests have access to three onsite coarse fishing ponds as well as woodland and meadows. It's idyllic in any season and a fantastic place for a relaxing holiday. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Hele Barton Farm offers a choice of delightful self catering holiday cottages ideally situated close to the dramatic coastline of North Cornwall. Enjoy the many attractions of Cornwall with its stunning coastline (including nearby Bude) and return home to this tranquil wildlife haven to relax of an evening. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
No one can resist this incredible beachfront holiday home overlooking Porth Beach in Cornwall. With three bedrooms (all with stunning views), lots of living space and a waterfront terrace, it's perfect for your next self-catering holiday with family or friends. The owners have focused on every detail to provide you with luxurious accommodation in a stunning ideal location, steps from the sand with uninterrupted views over the water. There is secure storage for guests who want to bring SUPs, surfboards, kayaks and bikes, a private path to the beach, and excellent access to shops, cafes, the local pub, and the South West Coast Path. The Sail Loft sleeps six people in three ensuite bedrooms with accommodation over two levels.
Situated halfway between Bodmin and Liskeard, Rivermead’s pet-free holiday cottages to rent in Cornwall are the perfect base for couples’ breaks and relaxing family holidays. Set in 17 acres of beautiful grounds, Rivermead is a great place for spotting wildlife in Cornwall. Otter lodge provides the perfect place to switch off and recharge your batteries. Sip your morning coffee on the patio and watch the nuthatches and bluetits arriving for peanuts on the bird feeder. Sit quietly after sunset on your private lawn and wonder at the brightness of the stars where there’s no light pollution. Lie in a comfortable Hypnos bed listening to the sound of the river flowing a few feet away from the lodge and the owls heading out on patrol. The three-bedroom property sleeps six people, with guests having beautiful woodland views towards the River Fowey. There is onsite river fishing, a lake, nature walks, and lots of space to relax, picnic and barbecue on the 17-acre grounds. Bodmin Moor, the Eden Project and the beautiful beaches of the South Cornwall Coast are all within easy reach. Walk the South West Coast Path, cycle the Camel Trail, climb Bodmin Moor's granite tors, or discover old smuggler's haunts in Bodmin - there's something for everyone in all seasons.
Relax and unwind in Rivermead's beautiful holidays lodges to rent in Cornwall and in the tranquil surroundings of Rivermead Farm. We have seven fantastic self-catering holiday lodges and cottages to rent, all with their own parking and set in 17-acres of grounds where guests can enjoy onsite river fishing for trout and salmon, a spring-fed lake, nature walks, woodland, picnics and boules. Owl Lodge is very popular due to its valley views and its position only a short drive from the A38 halfway between Bodmin and Liskeard. It's within easy reach of the south coast resorts of Looe and Polperro, the wildness of Bodmin Moor and attractions such as the Eden Project and Bodmin Jail. This 4-Star lodge offers every comfort for up to six people in three bedrooms, with lots of space and a layout that suits families and groups of friends, or provides a luxurious stay for two. If you're visiting with more than six people, have a look at our other lodge and cottages to hire as well, as we love to host group stays.
The Hide is a wonderful escape for couples or individuals who want a private space where they can relax and unwind away from prying eyes. The charming studio holiday cottage feels incredibly spacious with a kingsize bed and full-sized appliances in the kitchen. It features an enclosed courtyard garden with an outdoor hot tub - bliss after a day spent walking along the coastal footpath, mountain biking around Bodmin or Dartmoor, or surfing at Newquay. Tucked away in the small village of Penhallow, within walking distance of the local pub, The Hide is only three miles from Perranporth and within easy reach of Truro, Land's End, Exmoor, Westward Ho! and many of Cornwall's other favourite attractions.
Settle back and relax in this lovely holiday cottage that is tucked away in a peaceful location between Newquay and Truro. The Forge comfortably sleeps up to four people in two ensuite bedrooms, with a layout that is ideal for couples, friends or small families. Accommodation is all on one level and is dog-friendly with practical hardwood floors and a private, fenced garden. The cottage is in Penhallow, within walking distance of the village pub and less than three miles from Perranporth beach. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Popular towns in and around Cornwall:
AlbastonBodminBodmin MoorBoscastleBudeCallingtonCamelfordCarbis BayCharlestownCommon MoorCoverackCrackington HavenDelaboleEast LooeFalmouthFoweyGunnislakeHayleHelfordHelstonHolywell BayKingsandLamornaLands EndLanhydrockLauncestonLiskeardLizard peninsulaLooeLostwithielLuxulyanMarazionMawgan PorthMevagisseyMouseholeMullionMylorNewlynNewquayNr TregonyPadstowPenzancePerranporthPlymouthPolperroPolruanPolzeathPort IsaacPorthcothan BayPorthlevenPorthtowanPortreathPortscathoRedruthRockRoseland PeninsulaSaint AgnesSaint AustellSaint Columb MajorSaltashSennenSt AgnesSt AustellSt IvesSt MabynSt MawesSt MawganSt MinverTavistockTintagelTorpointTregonyTrevoneTruroWadebridgeWinnards PerchSome local suggestions:
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Many of Cornwall's fascinating towns and quaint fishing villages are rich in history and date back hundreds of years. Their narrow cobbled winding streets and tiny alleyways are home to unique boutiques, craft shops and art galleries, providing visitors with plenty of shopping to do.
One of the most popular places to stay in Cornwall is Newquay, where visitors can find a laid-back atmosphere on the many sandy beaches and a lively vibe in the town during the evening. Newquay is also a surfers haven, as the rolling Atlantic swell creates some of the best waves in the UK. Many self-catering properties are made for surfers, with storage for boards and wetsuit cleaning facilities. If this is important to you, make sure you ask the owner what your Cornish cottage includes before you book!
If you seek less hustle and bustle and more of the great outdoors, perhaps Padstow is the place for you? The picture-perfect town offers some of the best food in Cornwall alongside a pretty harbour, perfect for taking a break to enjoy a Cornish Pasty. Pick one of the Cornish cottages within walking distance to the famous Rick Stein restaurant for a night to remember.
For those who want to be in a buzzing Cornish coastal town, St Ives won’t disappoint. The famous town has many excellent restaurants, bars, pubs and shops, so there is always something to do when visiting the area. In addition, many stunning holiday cottages line the coastline, providing spectacular views out to sea.
Anyone seeking a picturesque fishing village on Cornwall’s coast should go to Mousehole, where visitors can embrace its charming seaside town with its traditional cottages, an old-world atmosphere and rich history.
Before booking your holiday cottage in Cornwall, you can find all the information you need for your trip.
For more tips, check out our complete guide to South West England.
Cornwall's impressive beaches and rugged coastline are its main attractions. With sandy shores, large swells, crystal clear water, excellent rock pools and pretty coastal paths, the impressive southern county is complimented further by offering some of the best weather in the UK, with warm, sunny summers and milder than average winters.
The summer months attract plenty of visitors to the many Cornish coastal towns when the temperatures start to reach a pleasant 19°C. Surfers make their way to the beaches, boards under arms, ready to enjoy the warmer sea and impressive waves. Holiday cottages with hot tubs and swimming pools are particularly popular in summer.
In the spring, the Cornish landscape bursts into life with colourful daffodils popping up all over the region and bright bluebells littering the coastal paths. A visit in autumn changes the scenery to a golden hue as the leaves start to fall and scatter across the county, and the waves start to crash into the shore with more ferocity as the wilder weather sweeps the sea.
Winter in Cornwall is often warmer than the northern regions in the UK but can become wet and wilder compared to the calmer summer months. However, tranquillity settles over the county in winter as the beaches are quiet and the coastal paths free from the usual tourists, creating a serene atmosphere for all who visit at this time. Plus, Cornwall holiday cottages come in to their own at this time of year, as you can make the most of log burners and cosy blankets.
Cornwall is one of the country's best places for a seaside getaway and has excellent summer weather, attracting outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy great coastal walks, climbing, surfing, bodyboarding, and beach lounging.
The region also has plenty of options for family days out (including many things to do on a rainy day).
Cornwall is excellent for those seeking relaxation whilst indulging in great food and quiet time. Its beautiful serene landscape provides the perfect setting for wildlife watching, painting, photography and lazy beach days.
Whether you have a night out in lively Newquay or enjoy a day swimming in the sea and building castles in the sand, our self-catering guide for South Cornwall offers plenty of options.
If you are travelling from one of the major cities in the UK, below shows an average distance from the town of St Ives, so you know what to expect when choosing to get to the holiday cottages by car.
London: 305 miles
Birmingham: 267 miles
Glasgow: 553 miles
Liverpool: 362 miles
Bristol: 199 miles
Manchester: 350 miles
Leeds: 390 miles
Edinburgh: 556 miles
Newcastle: 479 miles
There are multiple ways to travel to Cornwall; with its excellent public transport, you can journey by train or plane from many major UK cities. If you travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip, as well as alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on. This also gives you a great opportunity to pick up supplies and groceries before arriving at your self-catering accommodation.
Cornwall has a lively art scene thanks to its spectacular, dramatic landscape that has inspired many artists and provided the backdrop for many films and television programmes.
Cornwall is perfect for a cottage holiday or short break at any time of the year with a climate of its own. Winters are short, spring starts early, and even in the depths of winter, Cornwall is an ideal place to escape, with world-class restaurants, huge beaches, quiet roads and crisp, clean air.
There are many unique places to stay in Cornwall, all aiming to meet the varying needs of holidaymakers.
Bude is great for families with its dog-friendly beaches and Crooklets Beach, which displays a laid-back setting, perfect for the kids to play without the busy crowds. Falmouth is great for those seeking a trip to Cornwall full of history; the National Maritime Museum is excellent for experiencing the sea's influence in Falmouth. Finally, Newquay provides the perfect setting for all sea lovers, especially surfers; the impressive swells display some of the best surfing conditions in the UK.
With so many places and Cornwall holiday cottages to choose from, it is hard to narrow it down to the best in the region, as the beautiful county of Cornwall has something for everyone; you just need to pick the right place for you.
Cornwall’s extraordinary landscape, stunning beaches and lush countryside make it like nowhere else in the UK. Its excellent climate makes for comfortable days on the sandy shores, swimming, building castles or walking along the coastal paths, all whilst surrounded by stunning views out to sea.
Cornwall continues to increase in popularity, which has naturally increased the cost of holiday accommodation here as tourism continues to grow. However, places like Penzance will offer a more affordable trip to Cornwall for those on more of a budget.
It is worth bearing in mind that most people feel that the attractions, scenery, weather and multiple activities available in Cornwall make it worth the slightly higher price tag.
St Ives is renowned for being one of the prettiest towns in Cornwall, due to its charming and scenic setting that provides breathtaking coastal views and narrow winding streets filled with craft shops and great cafes.
Polperro is another of Cornwall’s pretty towns; the harbour sits surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants with steep steps that take you through the narrow streets, providing spectacular views of the coast.
There are many more beautiful towns to visit in Cornwall, all of which offer unique scenery. So whether you are looking for a vibrant town like Newquay or a foodie’s heaven like Padstow, you will find it all when exploring the region.
