The Best Guest Houses in Cornwall, England

Cliftons is a Victorian villa handily located in the heart of Truro. Inside, original features remain, from fireplaces to bay windows, and there’s a homely feel thanks to printed wallpaper, colourful bedspreads and comfy sofas. All six rooms feature ensuite bathrooms with sweet-smelling Cole & Lewis toiletries. There’s a communal lounge to relax in, and cyclists can make use of on-site bike storage.

The location of Tregony is stellar – with sea views to boot. Set above Porthmeor Beach and the Tate Gallery, you’re only a five-minute walk from the cobbled streets of St Ives, while remaining far removed from peak-season crowds. The five bedrooms are whitewashed and have a subtle nautical theme, plus White Company linen and device docks to help you drift off to sleep. Breakfast features favourites such as the full English, dippy eggs, omelettes and smoked haddock.

Set on the seafront in Newquay, Tregella is perfectly placed for those seeking quick and easy access to the beach. You’re also just a short stroll from the town’s independent cafés, cute boutiques and surf shops. The six guest rooms are all individually styled in shades of green, gold and grey, and a cooked breakfast is served in the smart dining room overlooking Towan beach.

With every room looking out over sweeping countryside towards the sea, Fig Tree House has the feel of a real rural retreat. The former farmhouse is set in lush fields teeming with swallows, rabbits and badgers, and its three bedrooms have a vibrant feel, with bright throws and woven wall tapestries. There’s a cosy communal lounge, complete with a log burner, and an orangery where you can tuck into breakfast while gazing at the superlative views. Try the herby mushrooms, cooked on the range in the owner’s kitchen.

A warm welcome awaits at Lyonesse, well placed for exploring the beaches and boutiques of Falmouth. The three rooms have some unusual quirks, such as a built-in loft bed, handmade soft furnishings and vintage-style Roberts radios. Thoughtful touches include real milk and home-baked cakes in your room. Breakfast can be eaten around the large dining table or delivered to your door – a basket filled with a flask of tea, fresh juice and bacon sarnies made with thick home-made bread.

Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek are the names of the three guest bedrooms at Mandeley, in honour of books by the writer Daphne du Maurier, who spent much of her life in Cornwall. Each looks out onto peaceful gardens and has an ensuite bathroom. Guests can relax beside the fire in the communal lounge and take breakfast in the dining room – there’s a good range of options, from full English to smoked salmon. The owners will happily suggest things to do during your stay.

Blending traditional style with modern comforts, Chapel House is an elegant Georgian townhouse with six pared-back double rooms, featuring whitewashed walls, waterfall showers, sumptuous baths and four-poster beds. At breakfast, enjoy fresh juices and meals served to order, from avo on toast to a full English. Don’t miss the nearby galleries of Penzance, or check out St Michael’s Mount, a 10-minute drive away.

There’s a fascinating history to this guest house, which was the first residential property on Falmouth’s coastal Gyllyngvase Road when it was built in 1880. It’s now a comfortable and contemporary guest house with 12 refurbished rooms, just a two-minute walk from the gold sands of Gyllyngvase beach. Downstairs, a lounge with leather sofas and an honesty bar overlook the garden. The owners serve a mean brekkie of cooked-to-perfection eggs each morning.