The Best Places to Stay in Cornwall
Are you thinking about coming to Cornwall on holiday, but are not sure where to stay? To be honest, choosing where to stay is no easy task because there are so many perfect holiday spots in Cornwall! To help you decide, here are a few of our favourite places.
St Ives
Famous for… Tate St Ives and the St Ives School of Artists, beaches, restaurants
Best for… Family and friends, couples, families with dogs
You can see why St Ives inspires so many artists. Our local town is a higgedly-piggledy jumble of old houses and narrow streets, sloping down to the blue-and-gold harbour. Explore the independent shops and galleries while wishing you had another week here to enjoy the plethora of restaurants, cafes and pubs.
St Ives is home to every type of beach, from the great sweep of sand at surfers’ favourite beach Porthmeor to the cute little cove called Porthgwidden. Porthminster is good for swimming (and eating) and Bamaluz welcomes dogs all-year-round. Soak up the sun and the town’s atmosphere on central Harbour Beach.
Carbis Bay
Famous for… It is beautiful, Mediterranean-like beach and Watersports
Best for… Families, couples
Relax the pace a little in Carbis Bay, St Ives’ smaller and quieter neighbour. It is a short drive, bus ride or trip on the branch line between the two resorts, although we prefer the mile-long, hard-surfaced footpath that winds among the trees on this beautiful stretch of coast.
As you can tell by its church and older cottages, there has been a village here for a long time, once known as Porthrepta. Today’s Carbis Bay has elegantly contemporary houses and apartments, most of them designed to make the most of the views across St Ives Bay. The sheltered beach at Carbis Bay is just beautiful. Have a go on a kayak or SUP, or simply enjoy a dip in the sparkling waters.
Port Isaac
Famous for… Doc Martin (ITV) and Fisherman’s Friends shanty singers
Best for… There is something for everyone in Port Isaac.
This North Cornwall seaside town is an absolute joy. Its narrow lanes and old whitewashed houses are picture-perfect, and if you love seafood, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out (or indeed, preparing locally caught fish yourself in your holiday cottage kitchen). The popular village has a working harbour, giving it a lively feel as well as excellent seafood.
As fans of ITV’s Doc Martin will know, the Atlantic coast here is breathtakingly lovely. The South West Coast Path from Port Isaac takes you along windswept clifftops to calm little coves – perfect if you want to escape the bustle.
St Agnes
Famous for… The St Agnes Heritage Coast, the legend of Bolster the giant
Best for… Couples, solo travellers, families with dogs
Charming St Agnes might just be Cornwall’s loveliest village. Pretty cottages, shops and eateries tumble down the valley towards gorgeous (and dog-friendly) Trevaunance Cove. There is an astonishing amount of places to find food and drink for such a small place, and we love meandering around the independent shops and galleries.
“Aggie” is an excellent base if you love walking. The St Agnes Heritage Coast is stunning, dotted with old tin mining ruins and secluded coves. Load your bag with St Agnes Bakery’s famous sausage rolls and stride out for the day. If you need an urban fix, surprisingly Truro is just 10 miles away.
Marazion
Famous for… St Michael’s Mount, beaches
Best for… Families, couples
There are few settings as perfect as Marazion, in the centre of Mount’s Bay, overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount. To the west, Penzance and the wild Penwith coast near Land’s End, and to the east, the gentler landscape of the Lizard Peninsula. The main beach is splendid for families and has great facilities, and leads into the dog-friendly beach at Long Rock.
Marazion is one of the oldest charter towns in England and remains a lively local community. Again, you will be spoilt for choice for places to eat and drink. You simply must go over to the Mount at least once during your stay in Marazion. Catch a ferry boat across to the island (weather permitting and seasonal) or walk across the ancient causeway at low tide.
Book your holiday in Cornwall
We have luxury holiday cottages and apartments in all of these fabulous Cornish destinations. If you cannot decide which place looks the best, it is good to know that nowhere is too far from anywhere in Cornwall! (Or of course, you could book a sneaky last-minute break later in the year, as well…)