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.

A chalet bungalow and twin garage overlook a sloping front lawn and tarmac driveway
Pepperpots
Mawgan Porth
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Perched atop a hill in Mawgan Porth, Pepperpots enjoys ocean views. The sophisticated holiday cottage in North Cornwall welcomes pets and offers contemporary comforts close to sandy surfing beaches along the Cornish coastline. Beautiful gardens capture the views and provide space for sunbathing on hot summer days.

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Wooden chair outside than open front door of a holiday cottage
Nobbys, Bude
Bude
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Nobby's is a charming pet-friendly cottage that combines the best of both worlds - the coast and the countryside. The cottage is located on East Thorne Farm, in the beautiful North Cornwall countryside near Bude on East Thorne Farm. Families can enjoy a range of activities, including an adventure playground, an indoor games room, a spa, a campfire, and picturesque rural walks.

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2-storey, granite-built cottage with many windows overlooks a mature garden.
Miller's House
Tintagel
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Miller’s House is a stone-built miller’s residence restored with modern comforts, providing a restful haven for families and pets near Tintagel in St Nectan’s Glen. Gorgeous gardens and a babbling stream in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surround this rural holiday home in North Cornwall.

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A large, 3-storey detached house built of stone with a 1st floor clad in slates.
Glebe Cottage, Padstow
Padstow
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

A newly renovated luxury Cornish holiday cottage full of character and charm is set amidst peaceful countryside. A short drive from Padstow, the Camel Trail, and many North Cornwall beaches, Glebe Cottage sleeps 8 in 4 ensuite bedrooms. It has a delightful garden with a private sunny patio and is dog-friendly.

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A spacious lounge with sofas, woodburner and coffee table
Cranny Cottage, Bude
Bude
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

A log-burning fire crackles in Cranny, a cosy rural holiday cottage near Bude at East Thorne Farm. This pet-friendly holiday cottage in North Cornwall is surrounded by countryside and includes a beautiful garden, adventure playground, spa, indoor games room and proximity to the sea.

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The Beach House, Newquay
Newquay
Cornwall
England
  • 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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exterior view of a stone-built barn conversion amidst a garden full of mature shrubs, bushes and a lawn.
Old Pear Tree Barn, Newquay
Newquay
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Set in a gorgeous countryside location near Holywell Bay just six miles west of Newquay, this beautifully restored eco home is perfect for four and accepts two dogs. Tastefully furnished with a spacious living area, two luxurious bedrooms and fantastic rural views, it is the ideal family retreat in any season.

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A holiday apartment lounge with floor to ceiling windows beyond which is a view of rhe surf on Ffistral Beach
5 Fistral Beach, Newquay
Newquay
Cornwall
England
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

This stylish apartment in Newquay offers one of the best views of the famous Cornish coastline, making it an ideal place to stay for a break. With Fistral Beach situated just a stone's throw away and the coast path only a few meters away, you can indulge in both adventure and relaxation in equal measure.

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Exterior of a white-rendered holiday bungalow with a large forecourt for parking
Cormorant Cottage, Cornwall
Crantock
Cornwall
England
  • 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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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.