A view of the Harbour at Portreath with the beach and village beyond.

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in North Cornwall

Holiday cottages in North Cornwall are surrounded by sandy beaches, rugged moors and ancient fishing villages. This wild region is best known for its spectacular coast, where smugglers once hauled their cargo ashore. The Southwest Coast Path covers its entire length. It passes ruined castles, laid-back resorts and sweeping bays where the sun sets on the Atlantic and waves crash against towering cliffs. Self-catering holidays in North Cornwall are particularly popular among walkers, surfers and anyone who wants to enjoy seafood straight from the harbour in cosy seaside pubs and restaurants.

The border between North Cornwall and Devon lies east of Bude, a lively resort and mecca for watersports thanks to its sandy beaches, canal and exceptional surfing conditions. There's a beautiful sea pool beneath the cliffs, revealed by the falling tide, and a variety of independent businesses, including Zuma Jay, one of Europe's oldest surf shops. West of Bude, Widemouth Bay is a long, sandy beach overlooked by a couple of good cafes, and nearby, Crackington Haven is a rocky cove where you can watch the waves from the comfort of the Coombe Barton Inn.

Exterior of a single-storey Cornish cottage surrouded by a tree-lined garden.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Millstream is a Tintagel holiday cottage for couples set in the picturesque St. Nectan’s Glen along the North Cornwall coast. This romantic rural retreat for two is in a former corn mill and retains its character, with a quaint arched door and sofa that converts into a full-size double bed.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Salty Sea Dog lies just a few steps from the beach in Trebarwith Strand and the ground-floor, pet-friendly beach apartment in North Cornwall lives up to its name combining joyful beach-themed décor with refinement and modern comfort plus views of the beautiful Cornish coastline. Sleeps 4.

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A double-fronted stone cottage overlooks a sunny lawn edged with flowers.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mill Cottage is a delightful two-bedroom holiday property near Tintagel in North Cornwall, nestled in a designated National Landscape. It offers families an idyllic getaway in the village of St Nectan’s Glen. The coastal cottage boasts gorgeous gardens surrounded by trees with a babbling brook.

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A Lighthouse complex on a clifftop with panoramic ocean views.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Panoramic ocean views stretch before Verity Cottage, a sophisticated coastal cottage within Trevose Head Lighthouse. The coast of Cornwall lies on either side of the cottage, which boasts outdoor entertaining spaces, contemporary comfort, light and airy design, the chance to get away from it all with more clean, fresh, revitalising air than you could shake a windsock at.

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A long single-storey barn conversion with a line of windows along one side overlooks a shingled driveway and garden.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A beautifully restored, refurbished barn less than ten minute's walk from Lanhdrock Estate. Original features add to the charm of this home which includes a wood-burning stove and spacious open plan living. The Barn is perfect for families or friends and welcomes two pets, so is ideal for dog owners.

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Exterior of a white-rendered holiday bungalow with a large forecourt for parking
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Perched atop West Pentire headland, Cormorant enjoys uninterrupted ocean views and a short walk to the beach. The pet-friendly Crantock holiday cottage in Cornwall boasts beautiful gardens, a sun-trap conservatory, an open fire, and an open-plan design with contemporary elegance and a sea breeze.

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A terrace of contemporary Cornish seaside cottages bathed in sunshine.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Sand Dunes in the seaside village of Crantock, Cornwall, offers the perfect holiday escape along the South West coast, a child-friendly coastal cottage featuring downstairs under-floor heating, an enclosed garden with a patio, and two bedrooms that comfortably sleep four guests.

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An L-shaped, single-storey barn conversion overlooks a courtyard and a raised flowerbed.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Overlooking picturesque green pastures, this holiday cottage near Newquay provides well-presented and attractive accommodation for up to four people, with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

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Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This large family holiday home has wonderful views over one of the UK's best beaches, Fistral Beach. Enjoy sunsets from your own private balcony, or kick back in the open-plan living space. Just a five-minute walk to the beach and town centre, this is the perfect home for a beach break in Newquay.

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Continue westward, and you will reach Boscastle, a pretty fishing village with a witchcraft museum and Boscastle Bakery, known for serving some of the region’s best Cornish pasties. The clifftop town of Tintagel is famous for its ruined castle and association with King Arthur. A little further west, Port Isaac is home to steep, narrow lanes leading to a harbour that is overlooked by a pub, restaurants and fish cellars.

Polzeath has a lovely beach, surf shops, and cafes by the camel estuary. On the other side of the river, Padstow is a popular fishing town known for Rick Stein’s award-winning restaurants. Neighbouring Constantine is a large bay backed by dunes, and Newquay is a lively town packed with bars and nightclubs.

Travel inland from your North Cornwall holiday cottage, and you will discover atmospheric moors, fields and woods scattered with peaceful farming communities and charming market towns such as Wadebridge, Bodmin and Launceston. Explore some of the area’s little places, from fishing villages to historic mining communities.

Here are some of the prettiest villages for holidays in North Cornwall for you to explore:

Port Isaac: This picturesque fishing village is located on the rugged North Cornwall coast and is known for its narrow streets, whitewashed cottages, and stunning views of the sea. It’s a famous filming location for TV shows and movies (Doc Martin and Fishermen’s Friends) and has a working harbour where visitors can watch the fishermen bring in their daily catch.

Boscastle: This historic village is situated on the rugged North Cornwall coast and is known for its picturesque harbour, medieval buildings, and scenic walks. If you love quirky museums, be sure to include a visit to The Witchcraft Museum in the heart of the village. It’s an excellent place for starting and finishing walks along the South West Coast Path.

Tintagel: This picturesque village is famous for its association with King Arthur and is known for its historic castle ruins and stunning coastal scenery. The village also has a range of independent shops and cafes. Tintagel’s picturesque Post Office, now managed by the National Trust, is possibly the most photographed of post offices in the UK!

Padstow: This bustling fishing town, home of the Rick Stein, is situated on the River Camel and is known for its historic buildings, excellent seafood restaurants, and beautiful estuary walks. It’s a great base for exploring the Camel Trail, a popular cycling and walking route.

This historic fishing town is situated on the banks of the River Camel and is known for its bustling harbour, excellent seafood restaurants, and beautiful estuary walks. It’s also a popular sailing, fishing, and water sports destination.

St Agnes: This pretty village is located on the rugged North Cornwall coast and is known for its historical mining heritage, rugged coastal scenery, and little shops and cafes. It’s also close to several beautiful beaches. St Agnes has a fascinating history that spans back to the Bronze Age, and visitors can explore ancient monuments such as the St Agnes Beacon and the Bolster Bank Iron Age Hillfort. There are also historic tin mining sites and the Geevor Tin Mine, a museum that tells the fascinating story of the area’s mining heritage – all worth a visit.