Who doesn’t enjoy a holiday at the seaside? England’s South-West boasts beautiful beaches which, when paired with fantastic holiday cottages to rent, make for a fun and memorable holiday in any season. North Cornwall is one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations not only for the stunning coastline littered with glorious beaches but also for the excellent road and public transport links that make it easy to relax and slip into the beachside way of life. Whilst the coastal village of Crackington Haven may be small, it has much to offer and is well-positioned for enjoying all the best bits of the dramatic north coast. Read our top 10 tips below for having fun while on holiday in Crackington Haven. Read more
A clifftop retreat with direct access to the South West Coast Path is a rarity, and one with no immediate neighbours even more so. Cancleave delivers both of these features together with superb views and a high standard of accommodation with space for eight people to sleep in four beautiful bedrooms. It is conveniently located on the coast road between Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay, with easy access to Bude, Boscastle and Tintagel. Cancleave has been in the family since 1962 and used as a holiday let all that time. They have recently replaced the original property with a modern building boasting energy-efficient features that will help protect the landscape for generations to come.
Pa’s Cottage is a 400-year-old thatched holiday cottage in Crackington Haven sleeping eight guests, steps from the beach on Cornwall’s dramatic north coast. This self-catering accommodation combines original character beams and rafters with contemporary comforts, featuring a wood-burner, south-facing garden with summerhouse, and parking for three cars. Located in the heart of the village with The Coombe Barton Inn and two beach cafés within walking distance, this dog-friendly group holiday home welcomes up to two pets. This holiday rental in Crackington Haven provides WiFi, a travel cot and a highchair, and direct beach access, making it a brilliant base for families and friends exploring North Cornwall’s coastline.
"Harbour Light" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. A perfect Cornish coastal village, the road through Boscastle runs down to the small harbour at the bottom of the hill. The quaint village shops, local restaurants and pubs offering good food, Cornish real ales and live entertainment by local...
"The Dairy" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Kilkhampton is an historic Cornish village, 4 miles from the popular Victorian seaside resort of Bude, one of Cornwall’s premier holiday locations. With its old church, village shops and atmospheric village pubs, Kilkhampton is a lovely place...
"Shepherds Retreat" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Crackington Haven is a charming cove near Boscastle, with a mix of rockpools, a sandy beach and good surf. There are two beach shops and cafes, which are wonderful to relax in and look out over the blue seas of the bay. Walking this section of...
"Lower Hillcott, Bude" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 12 guests in Cornwall. The layout is perfectly suited to larger families or two families sharing. On the ground floor are two principal bedroom suites; one with an en-suite shower room, and another with a luxurious en-suite bathroom featuring a bathtub and separate...
"Silver 3 Bedroom" is a 3 bed holiday Caravan sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Experience spacious and modern comfort in the Swift Soleli, a 3-bedroom caravan perfect for families or groups seeking a stylish retreat at Widemouth Sands. The open-plan living and dining area features contemporary furnishings, offering plenty...
"Atlantic View" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. On the outskirts of Bude, this small coastal hamlet looks out over one of the area’s top surfing beaches. Famous for its rugged coastline, tumbling surf and excellent walking, it’s the place to relax and unwind. Lively Bude, with its town,...
"8 Hillside" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Kilkhampton is an historic Cornish village, 4 miles from the popular Victorian seaside resort of Bude, one of Cornwall’s premier holiday locations. With its old church, village shops and atmospheric village pubs, Kilkhampton is a lovely place...
"Atlanta" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Cornwall. Tintagel, home of the legendary King Arthur’s Castle, whose ruins dominate the cliffside just outside the village, is a popular but not overcrowded tourist destination, surrounded by the sea, rocky coves and stunning scenery. Several beaches,...
"The Old Cattle Barn" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cornwall. The town of Launceston, situated on the Devon and Cornwall border, has wonderful architecture, including some fine Georgian buildings in the central square, and is dominated by the ruins of a Norman castle sitting high above the town. You can...
"Crab Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. At one time the producer of the world’s best quality building and ornamental slate, this now sleepy village is just 2.5 miles from the high cliffs and dramatic scenery of the north Cornish coastline. Perfectly placed for walking the South West...
"Besloe, Delabole" is a 5 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 10 guests in Cornwall. Inside, Besloe welcomes you with a warm and characterful interior full of rustic charm and modern comfort. The open-plan living and dining area features two plush sofas, an armchair, a cosy wood-burning stove, and a large dining table seating...
"2 The Glade" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 5 guests in Cornwall. Kilkhampton is a picturesque village located in the northern part of Cornwall, England. Nestled near the dramatic coastline, it is known for its charming historical architecture, including the 12th-century Church of St. James the Great, which...
"Stargazy" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Tintagel, home of the legendary King Arthur’s Castle, whose ruins dominate the cliffside just outside the village, is a popular but not overcrowded tourist destination, surrounded by the sea, rocky coves and stunning scenery. Several beaches,...
"The Coach House" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. The old market town of Camelford nearby is located close to Cornwall's north coast and is ideally situated for exploring the wild country of Bodmin Moor and the high cliffs, hidden coves, fishing villages and surfing beaches that populate this...
"The North Wing - UKC6794" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Part of the original farmhouse, The North Wing is a beautiful retreat, carefully bespoken by the owners amidst and the delightful countryside, close to north Cornwall’s breath-taking beaches and coastline.. Ground Floor:...
"Dreamcatcher" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Get a feel for the good life at Dreamcatcher, a stylish, semi-detached barn conversion with its own patio and outdoor bath!. 1 step to entrance. Ground Floor: Open plan living space. Living...
"Corn Keep" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Balancing class with comfort, Corn Keep is a spacious, apartment-style barn conversion that takes full advantage of the panoramic views with private balcony.. All on the First Floor: Open plan living...
"Hoppers Barn" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Devon. Tarka Country's undulating green hills are home to the historic market town of Holsworthy. The area contains a variety of sceneries, including rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, rolling farmland, and verdant valleys. The town of Holsworthy has a lot...
"The Smithy" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. The old market town of Camelford nearby is located close to Cornwall's north coast and is ideally situated for exploring the wild country of Bodmin Moor and the high cliffs, hidden coves, fishing villages and surfing beaches that populate this...
"The Old Stable" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Camelford is a bustling market town in Cornwall. From here it is easy to discover the many sandy coves, coastal landscapes, tiny villages, quaint pubs and yummy tea rooms which dot the region, along with renowned attractions such as The Eden...
"8 The Park" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Four miles from the well-known Victorian beach resort of Bude, one of Cornwall's top vacation spots, is the historic Cornish village of Kilkhampton. Kilkhampton, with its historic church, charming shops, and quaint pubs, is a great location to...
"24 The Glade" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Kilkhampton is an historic Cornish village, 4 miles from the popular Victorian seaside resort of Bude, one of Cornwall’s premier holiday locations. With its old church, village shops and atmospheric village pubs, Kilkhampton is a lovely place...
"Beachcomber" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Bude is a fabulous coastal town that once visited you will want to come back to time and time again. Bude has something for everyone, great beaches for relaxing, and building sandcastles on, rockpools for investigating at low tide and cafes to...
"4 The Park" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Kilkhampton is an historic Cornish village, 4 miles from the popular Victorian seaside resort of Bude, one of Cornwall’s premier holiday locations. With its old church, village shops and atmospheric village pubs, Kilkhampton is a lovely place...
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Build sandcastles and explore rock pools - Crackington Haven’s sheltered position between two of the tallest cliffs in Cornwall make it perfect for a peaceful day at the beach. It’s so calm that the Victorian’s used it as a natural harbour. The mix of sand, shingle and rocks is ideal for children to build and explore. There are lifeguards on duty in summer, and the beach is dog-friendly between November and Easter.
Take the dog for a walk - There are some beaches in Cornwall where dogs are welcome all year round. Close to Crackington Haven, The Strangles is the perfect example. The waters off the sand and shingle beach are not safe for swimming (the name “Strangles” comes from the strong rip tides), which means that it is often empty even on a hot, summer’s day. It is possible to walk around the point to Little Strand beach at low tide.
Go surfing - Where Crackington Haven is sheltered and calm, nearby Widemouth Bay’s two-miles of sandy coast is frequently breezy, with some of the best conditions in the south-west for surfing, kiteboarding and windsurfing. Widemouth Bay is home to one of the oldest surf schools in England, so book a session or two at Outdoor Adventure, and you will be hanging ten in no time.
Search for Merlin’s Magic - Tucked into a shaded cove beneath the ruins of the 13th Century Tintagel Castle, Tintagel Haven, sometimes called Merlin’s Cove, is a tiny beach that you reach via scrambling down a cliff path. The adventure doesn’t end with the journey because the beach has a waterfall on the north side and, accessible at low tide, Merlin’s Cave which stretches underneath the cliff and castle. Within easy reach of Crackington Haven, Tintagel makes a great day out.
Walk the South West Coast Path - The South West Coast Path is the longest way-marked footpath in the country, stretching for 630 spectacular miles from Minehead to Poole Harbour, giving visitors plenty of far-reaching ocean views along the way.
Learn the secrets of smuggling - The cliffs and caves in North Cornwall were a haven for smugglers who used quiet beaches to set shore with their ill-gotten booty. Find out more about Cornwall’s infamous smuggling past at the Smuggler’s Museum at the Jamaica Inn in Bodmin.
Get on your bike - The south-west coast has some beautiful cycling routes including one which follows the coast from Bude to Summerleaze, Crooklets and Northcott, as well as along the Bude Canal. The Tamar Valley, Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor National Park are all easily accessible within under an hour’s drive from Crackington Haven, giving mountain bikers an enormous variety of off-road trails.
Paddle in Boscastle Harbour - You will always find kids paddling in the shallow waters of Boscastle, a town renowned not only for its picturesque harbour but also for the Museum of Witchcraft and a choice of cafes serving delicious Cornish ice-cream.
Go thrill-seeking - Camel Creek Adventure Park is a top choice for an exciting day out with dozens of rides and all-weather activities that will delight kids of all ages. A fun alternative for getting your adrenaline flowing is zorbing at Sphere Bude.
Eat well - There is an abundance of fresh and delicious food available in and around Crackington Haven. Tuck into a home-made pastie or cream tea at Cabin Cafe, or enjoy a leisurely lunch or pint at The Coombe Barton Inn - both in Crackington Haven. A must-visit for keen cooks is the Boscastle Farm Shop for the best local ingredients.
