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 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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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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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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Granite-built exterior of a single storey Cornish holiday home surrounded by lawns.ottage
Owl House
Wadebridge
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Escape to a world of tranquillity and romance at Owl House, located in the picturesque hamlet of Treneague near Wadebridge. This delightful holiday cottage offers the perfect getaway for you, your partner, and your furry friend. Fall asleep to the soothing hoot of an owl, cosy up by the crackling wood-burning stove, and indulge in the perfect blend of modern amenities and old-world charm. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush, mature garden, or explore the breathtaking beauty of the nearby Cornish coastline. Owl House is the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Book now and experience the magic of Owl House for yourself!

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2-storey, clapper-board lodge over looks a courtyard ringed by a secure wall
Higher Close in Mawgan Porth
Mawgan Porth
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Higher Close lies just steps from Mawgan Porth and enjoys views of the Cornish coastline. Sleeping 8, the luxurious coastal cottage catches the sea breeze in its generously furnished garden and boasts an architectural design with sunlit rooms, chic décor, a wood-burning stove, a games room, and a pizza oven.

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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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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 single-storey Cornish cottage surrouded by a tree-lined garden.
Millstream
Tintagel
Cornwall
England
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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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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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.