The Best Cottages to Book in Cornwall

Live like an aristocrat at the 17th-century Pentillie Castle and Estate in Cornwall | Courtesy of Pentillie Castle and Estate / Expedia

Alexis James

22 December 2021

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The rugged beauty of Cornwall has been a muse for many creative minds over the years. Some of the most famous works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Daphne du Maurier and John Betjeman are set on the beguiling coast of the southwesterly county. In more recent years, TV cameras have used the scenery as a backdrop for favourites such as Poldark and Doc Martin. See it for yourself with a stay in one of these top holiday cottages in Cornwall – all bookable with Culture Trip.

Waterside Cornwall, for unique country lodges in Bodmin

Striking, triangular two-bedroom lodge at Waterside Cornwall

Courtesy of Waterside Cornwall / Booking.com

These striking, triangular lodges look like giant pieces of Toblerone dotting the Cornwall countryside. Slender but tall, the two-floor properties each squeeze in two bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and fridge-freezer – some even come with an outdoor hot tub. Travelling in a larger group? Book the 14-person country house overlooking a lake. The property’s Three Lakes bar stocks wines from the nearby Camel Valley vineyard, and on-site activities include footgolf, tennis and boat and bike hire.

6 Barnaloft, for the beach on your doorstep in St Ives

Stylish, colourfully furnished living room with floor-to-ceiling windows with sea view at 6 Barnaloft in in St Ives, Cornwall

Courtesy of 6 Barnaloft / Expedia

Shelves stacked with Jack Kerouac novels line the walls at this bright, two-bedroom property in St Ives. It doesn’t take long to share the writer’s love for the sea, with the gentle waves lapping at the sandy Porthmeor Beach right outside your window. The modern, minimalist decor sticks to the theme with subtle nautical touches. Heated towel rails and underfloor heating are a welcome winter bonus when the Cornish breeze is biting.

Pentillie Castle and Estate, for living like aristocracy in Saltash

Luxe bedroom in soothing white and grey hues at Pentillie Castle and Estate in Cornwall

Courtesy of Pentillie Castle and Estate / Expedia

Sir James Tillie – an eccentric Lord who requested to be buried with his books, wine and pipe – built this manor house in 1698. Now owned by the Coryton family, the entire estate can be hired for weddings, events or large group holidays. With 11 luxury bedrooms, a large farmhouse kitchen, a dining room with obligatory chandelier and a cellar featuring a pool table and parlour games, you can live like aristocracy. Best of all, there’s a solar-powered heated pool.

The Headland, for a surfer's retreat in Newquay

Sleek entrance to the Aqua Club at the Headland in Cornwall

Courtesy of the Headland / Booking.com

A skimmed stone away from Fistral Beach in Newquay, these self-catering cottages in Cornwall are the perfect surfer’s hub. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, they come with wooden vaulted ceilings, wall panels and shutters, all painted in cheery sea green and white, conjuring visions of gnarly swells. If a summer dip is too tranquil for your tastes, head here in the winter and book one of the Storm Watching cottages for lightning-fork views over the nearby cliffs.

Helscott Barns, for a characterful, rural stay in Bude

Converted barn with wood-beam ceilings, stone walls, leather furniture and freestanding stove at Helscott Barns in Bude

Courtesy of Helscott Barns / Expedia

These five converted barns in Bude ooze Cornish charm. They can be rented individually or as one booking that accommodates up to 26 guests. Each property comes with its own distinctive personality. The Granary features a unique, upside-down layout, with the master bedroom and twin bedroom on the ground floor, and the open-plan kitchen and living room upstairs. The Ivy and Rose barns come with the additional perk of a hot tub. Pets are welcome throughout the complex.

Comfortable, Bright Holiday Home With Private Garden, for a family getaway in Polruan

Exterior of two-storey stone house of Comfortable, Bright Holiday Home With Private Garden in the South of Cornwall

Courtesy of Comfortable, Bright Holiday Home With Private Garden / Expedia

The intricate mix-and-match brickwork is the first thing you’ll notice as you roll up the long driveway of this holiday home in Cornwall’s Polruan. The three bedrooms sleep six guests, and pets are free to enjoy the private garden alongside the kids. Bringing the outdoors in, fresh bouquets and a giant monstera plant brighten up the kitchen and living room. The double-fridge and ice maker are bonuses in the summer months, as is the parasol shading the eight-person outdoor dining table.

Wadebridge Plush Holiday Home, for a picturesque escape in Wadebridge

Cosy living room with couch, wicker lounge chair, artwork and spiral staircase at Wadebridge Plush Holiday Home in Cornwall

Courtesy of Wadebridge Plush Holiday Home / Booking.com

There are dozens of neat flourishes at this two-bedroom holiday home in Wadebridge. A wooden spiral staircase links the two bedrooms to the ground floor, where you’ll find a wicker lounge chair snug enough for two, and a turquoise, retro-style fridge-freezer. Petherick Creek runs alongside the property, views of which can be enjoyed from the master bedroom balcony or the bankside terrace with an outdoor dining table and chairs. Parking, wifi and linens are all included.

The Sanctuary, for a solar-powered utopia in Golant

View of solar-powered roof of the Sanctuary eco-lodge overlooking the River Fowey in Cornwall

Courtesy of the Sanctuary / Booking.com

Live off the grid in a Cornish utopia at this solar-powered eco-lodge with an under-floor log boiler. Not only are you free to wander the 12 acres (5ha) of daisied woodland, but the nearby Golant Downs paths lead to the stunning port town of Fowey. Make the most of the estuary by hiring paddle boards and kayaks. Two-hour guided tours are also available to uncover hidden nooks and local wildlife. If you’re arriving by electric vehicle, charging points are provided at the property.

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