Cornwall is the perfect place in the UK for a wellness getaway. Whether you want a staycation to enjoy the British summer weather or a mindful place to escape and work remotely, the dramatic coastal scenery, endless sandy beaches and fresh sea air provide everything you need. Ready to treat yourself? In this guide, we compile some of the best luxury Cornwall cottages to make your trip an unforgettable one. From coastal spots with a sea view to remote country cottages, these are among the most unique stays in Cornwall.
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How we choose these luxury Cornwall cottages
Cornwall is more than just a holiday and remote working destination for us – it has a special place in our lives. My ancestral roots date back for centuries in Cornwall, and with family still living there I visit several times every year. I’ve been lucky enough to explore this beautiful county widely, and so I’ve learned a lot over the years about the best locations and places to stay.
So, how exactly did we choose these cottages? At Career Gappers we are an affiliate partner of Plum Guide, which is not only a booking platform but also a benchmark for luxury vacation homes and short-term rentals. All of the properties it features have been vetted for outstanding quality. This is why it is one of our favourite alternatives to Airbnb for self-catered accommodation.
All of the luxury Cornwall cottages we list here are featured on Plum Guide, and one of them even made the shortlist for its 2020 Home of the Year.
We trawled through dozens and dozens of unique stays in Cornwall to find 15 of the very best. On top of the benchmarking already done by Plum Guide, these were the criteria we had in mind when researching our selections:
- Outstanding comfort
- Beautiful furnishings
- Unusual features that add value and character
- We are particularly partial to a good old-fashioned wood burner!
- Impressive outdoor space, whether gardens or a balcony
- A sea view is always a bonus, but we’ve also included some remote countryside retreats
- We also look out for good working facilities, such as a dedicated space and good wifi (check out our guide to workations for more inspiration on remote working holidays, and you can also see our specific guide to taking a workation in Cornwall)
So, whether you’re looking for romantic getaways in the UK, a family holiday, or just somewhere beautiful to escape and work for a while, you’re find something inspiring in our selections below!
Without further ado, here’s what we found…
Luxury Cornwall cottages with a sea view
The first handful of our selections have one wonderful thing in common. They are all seaside settings and come with spectacular views of the ocean.
1. The Mount | view of St Michael’s Mount
📍 Marazion, Penzance · 3 bedrooms · 6 guests · outdoor dining · games room
St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks, rising magnificently above the sea opposite Marazion Beach. It can only be accessed by foot when the tide is low, but its unmistakeable shape always looms as a dominating feature on the ocean skyline.
The Mount is a gorgeous seaside cottage in Marazion that offers a prime view of St Michael’s Mount from its balcony. On warm summer evenings you can enjoy al fresco dining in the garden setting while looking out on this famous scenery, before relaxing inside by the wood burner or hitting up the games room.
There is lots to do around the area, too. Historic Penzance is a short distance around the coast, with its quirky shops, museums, seafront promenade and characterful places to eat. Many of Cornwall’s most stunning coves and beaches are a short drive away.
View and book on Plum Guide2. Atlantic Whispers | in the heart of Penzance
📍 Penzance · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · dining area with a view · above fish and chip shop
Penzance is like a home away from home for us, and is always welcoming to return to! The town has an unmistakably Cornish charm and an artistic vibe, its quaint streets lined with curious shops and galleries.
Atlantic Whispers is a rustic property in the very heart of the town, a stone’s throw from the promenade, perfect for morning walks or sunset strolls. With a simple interior, this place is all about enjoying the outdoors. It has a beautiful terrace space, where you can dine in full view of the ocean and pretty town surroundings.
The property is set above a local favourite fish and chip shop, which is an added bonus! And there are many superb authentic places to eat around the area too.
View and book on Plum Guide3. Wide Eyes | Victorian homestay in a charming sailing port
📍 Fowey · 3 bedrooms · 6 guests · sea view balcony · log fire
Fowey is a cosy medieval harbour town and sailing community that sits on Cornwall’s picturesque south coast. Its cobbled streets and narrow alleyways are interspersed with colourful Georgian buildings, cafés and bistros.
Wide Eyes sits overlooking the pretty harbour with a premium balcony view. This amazing property was a runner-up in Plum Guide’s home of the year 2020, beating thousands of properties worldwide to make the shortlist.
Set in a Victorian building, the interior furnishings are stunning. This is the perfect indulgent base for a relaxing Cornish getaway.
View and book on Plum Guide4. Drifting on a Memory | Porthminster Beach vistas
📍 St Ives · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · bedroom sea view · private terrace
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside towns. Home to a branch of the Tate, it is famed for its creativity, which will you will find in abundance in its many independent shops and art galleries. It is also resplendent with a choice of sandy beaches around the harbour.
Plum Guide has many featured properties in St Ives, and Drifting on a Memory is among the best of them. You can look out over the popular Porthminster Beach directly from the master bedroom and living area, and enjoy a meal on the private terrace. Characterful touches include a driftwood coffee table and nautical-themed decorations and ornaments.
This is a great spot for exploring St Ives by foot or venturing further along the coast. Nearby Carbis Bay is lovely too, and further up the coast Gwythian Towans is one of our favourite beaches.
Check out our favourite things to do in St Ives for activity ideas while you’re in town.
View and book on Plum Guide5. Seagulls Soar | overlooking Carbis Bay
📍 Carbis Bay · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · private balcony · contemporary kitchen
A property that caught our attention in Carbis Bay, just along from St Ives, is Seagulls Soar. This is one of our favourite beaches in Cornwall, and it came into the international spotlight in summer 2021 when it was chosen as the exclusive location for the G7 Summit.
We love our summer walks along the coastal path with a stop at Carbis Bay for some fish and chips on the beach. But this pristinely located cottage gives you the chance to stay here for a while enjoying a stunning view directly over the golden sand.
It has a modern feel, with an open-plan living area featuring sliding French doors and a huge comfy corner sofa. Cook your meals in the stylish kitchen and head out onto the balcony to dine al fresco against the backdrop of that view. The en-suite master bedroom also looks directly out onto the beach.
The location is also great for exploring the coastal area. You’re close to Carbis Bay train station, where you can take one of the UK’s most scenic railway rides inland to St Erth, or hop into St Ives for a day out.
View and book on Plum GuideRemote cottages in Cornwall for wellness getaways
In the next section we focus our selections on rural and isolated locations. The following remote cottages in Cornwall are ideal stays for escaping to some peace and quiet with luxurious surroundings.
6. Woodland Estate | Georgian manor in the valleys
📍 Porthluney · 8 bedrooms · 16 guests · stunning gardens · secluded beaches nearby
Porthluney is a woodland valley tucked away in one of the most underappreciated corners of Cornwall. Just off the Roseland Heritage Coast in south-eastern reaches of the county, it is a place of gorgeous rural landscapes and secluded coves.
Woodland Estate is perfect for a fabulous luxurious retreat here for large groups, accommodating up to 16 people. This grand Georgian manor has an elegant feel and is bestowed with sprawling gardens, looking out onto green countryside.
The magnificent Caerhays Castle is only 15 minutes’ walk away, as well as two idyllic Cornish beaches. If you ever decide to leave the impressive manor grounds, there is much to explore around this rural coastline.
View and book on Plum Guide7. Musician’s Escape | bohemian hideaway for two
📍 Crackington Haven · 1 bedrooms · 2 guests · piano · wood burner
This converted barn hidden away in the woodlands makes for an amazing quiet retreat for a couple. Musician’s Escape is rustic and airy with a creative touch, complete with a piano and impressive music collection. It even has a superking-sized bed and a sauna too.
While close to the coast, it also has the feel of being in the middle of nowhere. The nearest beach and pub are a few miles away in the village of Crackington Haven, and there are no shops within close walking distance. Remote is the word.
Have dinner outside on the picnic bench to the sound of waves in the distance, while looking out onto the open countryside.
View and book on Plum Guide8. Clotted Cream | 17th century cottage by the cliffs
📍 Crackington Haven · 4 bedrooms · 6 guests · dramatic scenery · wood-burning stove
A little closer to the coast near Crackington Haven, Clotted Cream is set among bleak-but-beautiful countryside by the dramatic Cornish clifftops. Rolling fields stretch out into the distance, and you can watch cows grazing through the windows in the living room.
This luxury cottage dates back to the 17th century, with its historic feel maintained with wooden beam and brick fireplace features. One of the most rugged sections of the Cornwall coastal path is a short distance away.
Here in the wilderness the wifi is a bit sketchy at times, and so this quaint old cottage is more suited to a completely disconnected getaway than a workation.
View and book on Plum Guide9. Kindred Souls | stable yard sanctuary
📍 Boconnoc · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · wood-burning stove · tennis court and games room
Lostwithiel might sound like something out of a Tolkien novel, but it’s actually a charming Cornish town in the woodland valleys of the River Fowey. Four miles into the countryside from here is the wooded village of Boconnoc, with a population fewer than a hundred people.
This is the setting for Kindred Souls, a gorgeous remote stable-yard cottage complete with access to a tennis court and games room. The rich oak-beam features are complemented by bold and bright furnishings, and comfy sofas that you can sink into by the wood-burning stove.
While the setting is delightfully remote, there is plenty to do around the area too. The tropical gardens of the Eden Project are just a few miles away, and the sailing town of Fowey is nearby on the coast.
View and book on Plum Guide10. Wild Heather | colourful country cottage
📍 Bude · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · large garden and patio · wood burner
One of Plum Guide’s most highly rated luxury Cornwall cottages, Wild Heather is situated among tranquil countryside. While it’s only a couple of miles inland from the seaside resort town of Bude, it feels so secluded it could be a million miles away.
The cottage has ample green gardens with an outdoor dining space. A barbecue is among the amenities provided, ideal for those light summer evenings soaking up the seaside breezes that blow in from the coast.
Inside, the decor is striking, with brilliant-white walls augmented by brightly coloured furnishings and wooden ceiling beams. And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a wood burner!
View and book on Plum GuideUnique stays in Cornwall with character
Our final few selections are unique stays in Cornwall that we picked out because of their particular quirks. Read on and discover private beach pathways, romantic wooden cabins. stargazing potential and more.
11. Amid The Orchards | stone barn and flora gardens
📍 Newquay · 2 bedrooms · 4 guests · garden loungers and table · walking distance to beach
If you like beautifully cultivated gardens, then Amid The Orchards will be right up your street. Located inland between Newquay and Perranporth, this cottage features gorgeous orchard gardens with an array of flowers and plant life, and an outdoor dining setting on the patio.
Set in a renovated stone barn, the interior is bright and airy while retaining its original wooden beam features. It’s lovely, but you’ll probably want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the incredible gardens!
Just a few paces away, The Smuggler’s Den Inn serves excellent pub food set in a 16th-century thatched cottage.
View and book on Plum Guide12. Boulder Blue | upside-down house design
📍 Watergate Bay · 4 bedrooms · 10 guests · cinema room · hot tub
Travelling up the coast rom Newquay you will find some of Cornwall’s most striking beaches, such as the award-winning Mawgan Porth set between breathtaking rocky cliffs, and the two-mile-wide Watergate Bay with its tropical-esque turquoise waters and impressive swells.
Set close to both of these spots, Boulder Blue is a characterful cottage with a quirky upside-down design. At the top level, the kitchen, fitted with ample windows, has panoramic views of the surroundings. Just incredible for home catering after walks along the coastline.
The outdoor features are pretty marvellous too. It has everything you need to relax and enjoy the Cornish fresh air, complete with peculiar spherical swinging chairs and a hot tub. Later in the evening you can sink into the ridiculously comfy sofas in the cinema room or light up the stone wall fireplace.
View and book on Plum Guide13. The Old Signal House | escape to a former lighthouse building
📍 Cawsand · 3 bedrooms · 6 guests · dramatic setting · nautical theme
It’s hard to imagine a more authentic Cornish experience than staying in an old lighthouse building. Wonderfully repurposed, The Old Signal House has been designed throughout with a nautical theme.
The cottage is completely secluded above the rocks, with no neighbouring buildings to be concerned about. A cute little sandy beach is just a few paces down from the building.
Due to the quiet location, this is a great vantage point for spotting some exciting marine life, with seals and dolphins often bobbing about in the waters below. The villages of Cawsand and Kingsand are close at hand for amenities and authentic local places to eat.
View and book on Plum Guide14. A New Belonging | romantic getaway in a wooden cabin
📍 St Kew · 1 bedrooms · 2 guests · private deck · mezzanine bedroom
Looking for something a little out-of-the-ordinary for a couple’s getaway? This secluded wooden cabin makes for a ridiculously romantic escape.
A New Belonging is your own private hut in rural north Cornwall, by the sleepy village of St Kew. The self-contained living area has a wood-burning stove, compact kitchen, stacked bookshelves, and a spiral staircase leads up to the mezzanine bedroom. Outside you have a private deck with a table and chairs for two, and hammocks for afternoon naps and reading.
If you want to reemerge to civilisation at any point, there is a welcoming inn next door in a 15th-century building. Nearby, you can take a short road trip up one of most unspoiled stretches of Cornish coastline, taking in the likes of Port Isaac, Tintagel Castle and Boscastle.
View and book on Plum Guide15. Surf Style | renovated barn in a dark sky discovery site
📍 Sennen Cove · 3 bedrooms · 7 guests · barbecue · open-plan living area
We round off our collection of luxury Cornwall cottages with a spot next to one of our very favourite beaches: Sennen Cove. Situated just around from Land’s End, it is bestowed with golden sands, brilliant blue waters and some cracking waves on good days.
Surf Style is a chalet-style cottage with an open-plan living area, just right for games with family or friends. With an outdoor shower and quick access to the beach, you might also want to try your hand at surfing.
Stepping outside, take in the stunning views across one of the most far-flung locations in the country. With outdoor seating too, you can light up the BBQ and stay out late on those warm summer nights.
View and book on Plum GuideFind more luxury Cornwall cottages
Still not found what you’re looking for? Browse Plum Guide to find dozens of the best luxury Cornwall cottages across the county.
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