Pa's Cottage, Crackington Haven, Nr Bude, North Devon, England - Sleeps 7+1

About Pa's Cottage

Pa’s Cottage is in Crackington Haven, a 400-year-old thatched cottage that's literally steps from the beach. Four bedrooms sleep seven guests (or eight with the pull-out bed), with original rafters and beams overhead, a wood-burner for cosy evenings, and a south-facing garden and sun terrace where you can spend hours taking in views of hills rolling down to the sea. The cottage comes ridiculously well equipped – from beach gear like boogie boards and padded cushions to all the kitchen equipment you'll actually use. Some families have been coming back for over 50 years, which tells you something. There's a little summerhouse in the garden, a flagstone terrace at the front, and parking for two or three cars right there. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome by arrangement. The Coombe Barton Inn is opposite the cottage – modern Cornish food made with local ingredients and Sunday roasts that are famous locally. Down on the beach, there are two cafés, one hiring out wetsuits and surfboards, plus tennis courts overlooking the sea if you’ve brought rackets (they're here if you haven't).

Crackington Haven is one of those North Cornwall villages that remains delightfully undiscovered by the summer tourists that crowd other beaches. The beach sits in a horseshoe bay backed by some of the highest cliffs on the Cornish coast, with dramatic rock formations creating natural arches and caves. At low tide, the sand opens up properly, whilst rock pools keep children occupied for hours. The South West Coast Path runs right through, and the walks in either direction give you those proper coastal views – dramatic headlands, hidden coves, and on clear days, you can see for miles. The Cabin on the beach does homemade food, good coffee, and cakes year-round, with BBQ evenings in summer using meat from their own farm. The Coombe Barton Inn changes its menu daily based on what's available – local fish, seasonal vegetables, and well-reared meat from nearby farms. The village doesn't have much else, which is part of its charm.

From here, the South West Coast Path takes you north towards Bude or south down to Boscastle in about four miles. The clifftop walking is spectacular – Cambeak and Fire Beacon give you 360-degree views, whilst Strangles Beach sits in a wild cove that you can reach at low tide. Boscastle's harbour is one of the most photographed spots in Cornwall, with steep-sided valley walls protecting it and The Rocket Store restaurant serving fish caught from their own boat. Port Isaac of Doc Martin fame is worth the drive, with The Golden Lion pub winning awards for food and the harbour still working with fishing boats. Tintagel, with its castle ruins and Arthurian legends, is about 15 minutes away. The castle is well worth a visit, though the village itself has become rather touristy. Head inland and you hit Bodmin Moor, all granite tors and wild ponies with Jamaica Inn sitting on the edge. The beaches keep coming – Widemouth Bay for surfing and rock pools, Sandy Mouth with its vast expanse of sand and dunes, or Trebarwith Strand where The Port William pub perches on the cliff with views that make the climb worthwhile. This holiday cottage in Crackington Haven drops you right on a beach that most people drive past on their way to Newquay, which means more space and fewer people.