Surfing waves roll on to a long beach backed by sand dunes and hills

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages on the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s longest walking routes, stretching 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset along the coasts of North Devon to Cornwall, then back through South Devon to Poole in Dorset. It passes ancient harbours, vast, sandy beaches and secret coves where waterfalls crash from towering cliffs to the rocks below. It also threads its way past scores of delightful coastal holiday cottages, offering Coast Path perfect for short breaks in and out of season for exploring a section of the path. Walking the path is a chance to discover incredible landscapes, from mysterious moors and deep, wooded valleys to gentle estuaries and bustling fishing communities. 

Pendeen lighthouse holiday cottages in a clifftop location
Argus Cottage, Penzance
Penzance
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
3
Bedrooms
2

Argus Cottage is a unique coastal cottage set inside Pendeen Lighthouse atop the cliffs of Pendeen. The pet-friendly cottage boasts stunning ocean views and an abundance of wildlife, as well as a generously sized, furnished garden, contemporary design features, a sea breeze and access to the Cornwall coast and South West Coast Path.

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Open plan room containing a kitchen and dining area.
Waves Apartment, St. Ives
St. Ives
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Waves Apartment is a stunning second-floor seaside holiday apartment in St Ives with beautiful sea views and two balconies. Sleeping four guests and welcoming one dog, this Cornish holiday let is bright, welcoming and perfectly positioned, just a short walk from the harbour.

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A two storey Marazion holiday cottage overlooks a lawned garden and sweeping sea views.
Trevara, Marazion
Marazion
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

A stunning Cornish cottage located right on the coast of Marazion, offering breathtaking views of St Michael's Mount. The holiday home features three spacious bedrooms, original details, and a luxurious interior, providing truly relaxing seaside holidays in Cornwall.

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Little Trevara in Marazion
Marazion
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A charming traditional seaside cottage located on the coast at Marazion has been refurbished to offer you a comfortable stay. The property boasts stylish decor and open-plan living area that offers magnificent views from the elevated private patio. Moreover, you will find an enclosed courtyard garden, where you can unwind and sip your morning coffee.

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Exterior of a contemporary house in Cornwall with a balcony overlooking a large lawned garden bordered with shrubs and trees.
Kernow Vista, Truro
Truro
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This beautiful home is just a short drive from Truro. Situated within The Valley Resort, it has everything you need for a stylish retreat close to fantastic amenities. You can enjoy outdoor dining on your private patio or take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque surrounding woodland—it's the perfect Cornish holiday for a small family of two couples..

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The Abbey, Penzance
Penzance
Cornwall
England
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
7

The Abbey is a historic luxury holiday cottage in Penzance that overlooks Mounts Bay and the harbour. This large and pet-friendly Cornwall holiday property sleeps 14 in 7 bedrooms and everywhere exudes style and quality. Perfect for luxurious seaside holidays with family or friends all year round.

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There are few places in the world where you can follow, such as spectacular coastlines for so many miles. The South West Coast Path Association has worked closely with the National Trust and local authorities to improve the route’s accessibility. Repeatedly voted ‘Britain’s Best Walking Route’, it attracts visitors from across the globe and regularly appears on lists of the best walks in the world. Walkers who complete the whole route pass through national parks and heritage coasts, including two World Heritage Sites – the Jurassic Coast, home to spectacular geology and dinosaur fossils, and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, where the cliffs are scattered with disused tin mines and battered by Atlantic storms. Despite the path’s fame, it can feel surprisingly remote, particularly outside of summer, when you can spot seals and dolphins in the ocean below as you walk for miles without seeing another soul. 

Whether you are planning on tackling the whole route or spending a week or two enjoying smaller sections of the path, West Country coastal cottages are an excellent base for a walking holiday by the ocean. Holiday cottages in North Cornwall provide easy access to a particularly wild stretch of coast, where the path meanders over soaring clifftops and through sleepy fishing villages with exceptional views across the Atlantic Ocean. Base yourself in a classic seaside resort such as Newquay or Bude. Book a holiday cottage in Padstow, where Rick Stein’s renowned restaurant overlooks a busy working harbour. Stay in a low-key village overlooking a sandy beach, such as Mawgan Porth, Crantock or Crackington Haven. Choose a holiday cottage in Tintagel, home of the legend of King Arthur. Explore narrow lanes lined with colourfully painted fishermen’s homes and art galleries in St Ives. Or opt for the graceful seaside town of Penzance at the tip of the Cornish peninsula, near Land’s End.

North Devon is also an excellent base for exploring the South West Coast Path with its wooded combes, moors, laid-back surf villages, and charming market towns. This unspoiled region is scattered with dog-friendly countryside cottages, ideally located for discovering some of the coast’s most captivating stretches. Coastal cottages in Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde are a stone’s throw from golden sand bays backed by grassy dunes. These popular surf spots are on a dramatic stretch of the path with steep ascents that reward walkers with amazing views towards Lundy Island. A few miles inland but with easy access to the coast path, sleepy villages such as Georgeham are also popular for walking holidays. At the same time, the historic market towns of Bideford, Barnstaple and Great Torrington provide an authentic experience of rural life in North Devon, just a short drive from beautiful stretches of the South West Coast Path. Exmoor Holiday cottages in Lynton, Lynmouth and as far east as Minehead are ideally located for exploring the Exmoor section of the route, where deer and ponies roam on rugged moorland overlooking secluded, pebbly bays.

The path covers the South Devon and Cornwall coasts, where lush estuaries and crystal-clear coves have created a paradise for sailing and cruises. On the South Devon coast, the path passes the classic seaside resorts of Torquay and Paignton in Torbay – also known as the English Riviera, famous for its sandy beaches, russet-red cliffs, palm trees and sunny weather. Nearby, holiday cottages in South Hams are ideally positioned to follow the coast path along a glorious stretch of coast home to the charming resorts of Salcombe, Dartmouth and Totnes.