Cornwall Holiday Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Cornwall: Tips for an Unforgettable Stay

Cornwall is where rugged Atlantic cliffs meet soft‑sand beaches, fishing harbours, sub‑tropical gardens, and a lively food and arts scene. It is ideal for a cottage break, whether the plan is surf and seafood, moorland hikes, or slow evenings by the fire after a coastal walk.

Why Cornwall Works So Well for a Cottage Holiday

• Variety within easy reach: Newquay and Bude for surf, St Ives for art and beaches, Falmouth for maritime heritage, Mousehole and Port Isaac for fishing‑village charm, and Bodmin Moor for wide skies and granite tors. With sensible planning, one cottage base can cover a lot without long drives.

• Year‑round appeal: summer brings classic beach days, spring and autumn are quieter with good walking and often warm seas late in the season, and winter rewards with dramatic seas, cosy pubs, and harbourside festive lights.

• Big‑ticket days out: St Michael’s Mount, the Eden Project, Tintagel Castle, the Minack Theatre, and stretches of the South West Coast Path give the trip clear highlights and suit a wide range of ages and energy levels.

Types of Cornwall Cottages

Ideal for bringing four-legged family members along, our pet-friendly cottages often have enclosed gardens, easy access to year-round dog-friendly beaches, and nearby coast-path sections. Our large cottages are great for multi-generational breaks, reunions, or surf weekends. We have many accessible cottages that are wheelchair friendly and have other features suited to guests with specific needs. Cottages with pools are perfect for families and relaxed days in, whatever the weather. and nothing can beat coming back after a long day to a cottage with a hot tub. 

Best Areas to Base a Cornish Stay

• St Ives and west Cornwall coast: golden beaches, Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum, and easy beach‑hopping. Walk toward Land’s End for huge views. Nearby Mousehole and Penzance add gardens, galleries, and, if timed right, ferries to the Isles of Scilly.

• North Coast, including Newquay, Padstow, and Bude: surf at Fistral, food stops around the Camel Estuary, and long Atlantic beaches. Tintagel and Boscastle add myth, cliff drama, and rewarding photo stops.

• South Coast, such as Falmouth and Fowey: more sheltered waters, maritime history, castle ramparts, and estuary boat trips. Charlestown’s preserved harbour and shipwreck collection make a solid rainy‑day plan.

• Inland contrast on Bodmin Moor: open moorland, standing stones, and dark night skies. Pair a moor day with a coast base for a balanced week and fewer crowds.

When to visit Cornwall, and What It’s Like

• Peak summer, late July to August: warmest seas and the busiest calendar of events, but also the fullest car parks and beaches. Families do well with early bookings and backup plans for parking.

• Shoulder seasons, May to June and September to October: often the sweet spot. Expect lighter crowds, long daylight, gardens in bloom in spring, and sea temperatures that can stay pleasant into early autumn. Cottage prices can be friendlier too.

• Winter, November to February: empty paths, storm‑watching, and a proper excuse for cream tea by the fire. Look for cottages with a log burner or a hot tub, and check out seasonal extras such as ice‑skating at the Eden Project.

Signature Cornish Attractions

• St Michael’s Mount: walk the tidal causeway at low tide or take a boat at high tide. Check tide times the day before and on the morning, then plan parking accordingly.

• Tintagel Castle: legend, a dramatic footbridge, and huge Atlantic views. Good boots help, as paths can be slick after rain.

• Minack Theatre: a clifftop amphitheatre with the sea as backdrop. Book ahead, then bring a warm layer even in summer.

• Charlestown Harbour: a preserved working feel, familiar to film and TV fans, plus the Shipwreck Treasure Museum for maritime history that appeals on a drizzly day.

Cornwall Beaches and Walks to Pin on the Map

• Fistral for surf lessons and people‑watching, Porthminster for family‑friendly swimming and a good café, and the Bude Sea Pool for a tidal dip on breezier days.

• For walkers, try St Ives to Zennor for granite and ocean, Tintagel to Boscastle for drama, and Lantic Bay near Fowey for a quieter, picture‑book cove. Paths can be steep, so take grippy shoes and leave time for the climb back up.

Eating Well In Cornwall

Book ahead at star spots in St Ives and Padstow, especially for dinner with a view. For a more relaxed approach, aim slightly off‑peak for lunch, or pick a harbourside pub in smaller villages such as Mousehole or Polperro. If the weather turns, a long lunch can be the day’s highlight.

Practical Tips

• Parking and access: popular coves and fishing villages can fill by late morning in high season. Arrive early or late, use park‑and‑ride where available, and read local signs. For tidal places, check times, then set an alarm as a reminder.

• Safety and tides: favour lifeguarded beaches if swimming, especially with children or in swell. Look for flags and chat with lifeguards about rips and conditions.

• Kit list: layers for wind, even in July; proper walking shoes; a light towel and swim kit in the car for opportunistic dips; a small dry bag for phones; and coins for rural car parks that have not switched to card fully.

A Simple Way to Structure a Week

• For a short break, three to four nights: pick one base, choose one standout attraction, one coast‑path walk, one beach day, and one long lunch in a village.

• For a week: split the stay between two bases, for example St Ives or Penzance in the west, then Padstow or Fowey on the north or south coast. Add a moor day on Bodmin for contrast, then keep one day free for a weather‑led wildcard.

The Perfect Cornish Cottage Holiday

Cornwall rewards curiosity. Choose a welcoming cottage base, anchor the week with one or two must‑dos, and leave space for tide‑timed serendipity, a quiet cove at golden hour, a gallery you stumble into, or a pub whose view becomes the memory you talk about all winter.