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.

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 of a period holiday cottage in Polzeth opening onto agarden.
Wedge Cottage, Polzeath
Polzeath
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Wedge Cottage is a luxurious cottage in the curved stables at Roserrow, Cornwall. The coastal cottage is just a few minutes from the sandy beach at Polzeath, offering light and airy spaces with contemporary chic and exposed beams. Additionally, the cottage boasts a generous suntrap garden with furnished spaces to relax and unwind.

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A double-fronted stone cottage overlooks a sunny lawn edged with flowers.
Mill Cottage, Tintagel
Tintagel
Cornwall
England
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 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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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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Talland Croft, Crantock
Crantock
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Set on the edge of the pretty village of Crantock on the North Cornwall coast, Talland Croft is a large and charming 5-bedroom house sleeping 10. The dog-friendly house is a short walk across dunes to a Crantock or an even shorter walk into the heart of Crantock, with good pubs and local shops.

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Chy-an-Brae, Newquay
Newquay
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
6

Chy-an-Brae is a large 6-bedroom Cornwall Holiday Home situated on Marcus Hill, one of Newquay's prime locations with distant sea views and perfect for a beach holiday. Features in this well-equipped Cornish holiday property include surfboard storage and a pool table, plus lots of buckets and spades. Sleeps 10. Pets Welcome.

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Single storey exterior of a white-rendered bungalow with hanging flower baskets.
Palmers Lodge
Egloskerry
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Palmer’s Lodge induces romance with its charming exterior, cosy, contemporary open-plan layout, fresh flowers and a bottle of wine upon arrival. The one-bedroom romantic cottage lies on the outskirts of Elgoskerry, surrounded by lush green meadows and beautiful beaches for which Cornwall is famed.

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Exterior of a single-storey cottage surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs.
Mineshop Holiday Cottages, Crackington Haven
Crackington Haven
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Mineshop Holiday Cottages are located in the heart of the stunning Mineshop Valley, a short walk through the fields and woodland to the beach at Crackington Haven near Bude in North Cornwall. Set in a secluded and tranquil spot, it's the perfect getaway for families, couples and dog owners.

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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.