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A well-loved weekend getaway destination among Londonites, Cornwall is a peninsula county in the rugged southwestern tip of England with landscapes that come straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The county’s windswept cliffs, mystical moorlands, moody beaches, cheerful farmlands, enchanting forests, and picturesque gardens often draw artists and writers who like to stay in the Cornish countryside to find inspiration.
Cornwall’s most popular destinations are the city of Truro, the maritime town of Falmouth, the youthful Newquay, which is popular among surfers, and St. Ives – a beach and harbor town known for its top-notch art galleries. While it’s always nice to spend a day in one of these lively towns, one of the best ways to enjoy Cornwall is to rent yourself a cozy, rural cottage in one of the county’s small and more peaceful towns or villages.
If you’re looking for a place in serene nature to spend quality time with your loved ones, or if you’re a creative soul looking to connect with your muse, book a stay at one of these rural, Cornish self-catering holiday rentals.
Limehead Cottage, St Breward
This two-bedroom holiday let was once a stable and two minors cottages before it was renovated to include modern comforts such as a dishwasher, washing machine, television, and a bathroom with a sumptuous bathtub. Set amidst rolling hills near the pretty village of St Breward on the west of Bodmin Moor, Limehead Cottage has a garden and patio where you can enjoy breakfast while taking in views of the peaceful countryside. Refurbished with fresh wooden floors and cheerful splashes of bright blue, the cottage has just the right combination of old world and contemporary charm.
Willow Green Cabin, Ludgvan
Between the popular sea resort towns of St Ives and Penzance is a little village called Ludgvan. Here, set on a moorland hill you’ll find Willie Green Cabin, a simple and snug wooden cabin with modern, Scandi-style interiors. The space is equipped with mod-cons like an LED television with integrated Bluetooth speaker, a Dimplex Opti-Myst electric faux wood burner stove with lifelike smoke and flame effect, and a shaker-style kitchen with a dishwasher, retro fridge/freezer, microwave, AEG coffee machine, toaster, and electric kettle. Everything you need to feel right at home.
Harbour Cottage, Boscastle
Located in a quiet spot within the tiny fishing village of Boscastle along Cornwall’s north coast, Harbour Cottage’s slate floors, chunky wooded ceiling beams, and maritime-style brass and copper lamps conjure a rustic romanticism that befits the cottage’s locale.
A sofa, armchair, and sled bed upholstered in luxurious turquoise velvet and a large contemporary kitchen add a touch of sophistication to the earthy space. The cottage is just a stone’s throw away from The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, one of Britain’s most well-loved independent museums. After a late afternoon cliffside walk or a visit to the museum, nothing beats relaxing with your loved one in front of the cottage’s fireplace, sharing stories and savoring a good bottle of wine.
The Salty Shepherd’s Hut, Port Quin
In between the towns of Port Isaac and Polzeath, within a 400-acre farm estate in the sleepy hamlet of Port Quin, is The Salty Shepherd’s Hut, a rentable shepherd’s hut that looks out to spectacular views of Port Quin Bay.
Just a short walk to the seaside, the Hut – which is equipped with solar electricity for lighting and phone charging, a gas cooker and water heater, and an eco-toilet, but has no WiFi – is perfect for surfers or nature lovers seeking an off-grid digital detox. Despite its small size, the Hut is beautifully furnished with a comfy bed, a kitchenette, a window-facing dining counter with red bar stools, and a bright and modern bathroom with a shower and loo.
Coinage Hall, Lostwithiel
The country town of Lostwithiel in the Fowey River valley is a destination that’s popular among antique collectors. An apt accommodation option here is Coinage Hall, a heritage abode that was once an actual coinage hall. The property has since been converted into an atmospheric, two-bedroom cottage with lancet archways, old-fashioned wooden beams, a sunken bathtub, a country-style kitchen, and interesting antique furnishings.
A lovely garden surrounds the property and not far from it is the town center where you can hunt for antiques or souvenirs or enjoy a delicious pub meal. Within easy reach from here are the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, two of the most beautiful garden attractions in the county.
The Roundhouse, East Thorne, Bude
Near the small seaside town of Bude in northeast Cornwall, The Roundhouse is a yurt-shaped wooden cabin where you can stargaze from your own private outdoor hot tub.
Hidden away in a peaceful glamping site called East Thorne, this holiday rental has a peaceful garden with an outdoor kitchen and grill, and an alfresco dining area. The cabin’s interiors are bright, streamlined, and modern, and include underfloor heating, a wood-burning stove, a spacious bathroom, a comfy reading chair, and a king-sized bed with a porthole skylight that lets you look up at the night sky as you lay in bed.
Tregadjack Farmhouse, Helston
Step back in time when you check yourself into Tregadjack Farmhouse, a restored Cornish granite farmhouse in the town of Helston, in the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula.
Built around 1278, this three-bedroom, self-catering holiday property is furnished with sumptuous oriental rugs and period antiques. Ideal for large families or three couples, the property has a spacious, south-facing oak wood conservatory where you can enjoy the garden and country views even in cold or rainy weather. Though extremely tranquil and private, Tregadjack Farmhouse is just a short drive to the harbor town of Porthleven, where you can find some of Cornwall’s finest seafood restaurants.
Converted Dairy Shed, Glynn Valley
Perfect for a romantic getaway, this holiday let near the town or Cardinham was formerly an old dairy shed that was part of the stately, historical Glynn House – a heritage country estate near the town.
Once home to as many as six cows and three pigs, the stylishly renovated shed is now a comfy, contemporary hideaway with a refreshed open kitchen, a living lounge with a fireplace and television, a skylit, lofted sleeping area with a king-sized bed, and a roomy bathroom. From the Shed, you can easily head to the forest trails of Cardinham Woods, the Fowey River, Polkerris Beach, or the Eden Project.
Solebay and Argus Cottage, Pendeen
Stay inside a lighthouse keeper’s cottage in the village of Pendeen on Cornwall’s north coast. Set on a granite headland within an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Pendeen Lighthouse was built in 1900, and today, its two former lighthouse keeper’s cottages have been transformed into cozy, two-bedroom rural retreats – Solebay and Argus – both tastefully furnished in dreamy pastels. The cottages are a great base for scenic hikes and birdwatching, and if you’re lucky, you might even see some seals on the rocks nearby.
Riverside Cabin, Constantine
About a 15-minute drive from the lively beach town of Falmouth is the Riverside Cabin, an adorably rustic, hand-built, woodland cabin in the serene, southwestern Cornish village of Constantine.
Located near a quiet country road, between a little forest and a stream, this unique holiday rental has a lofted sleeping area, two bunk beds, and a light and breezy open plan dining, kitchen, and lounge area with a woodburning fireplace. Ideal for nature lovers looking to escape from the urban bustle, the property is equipped with an outdoor hot-water shower, compost toilet, and a firepit for outdoor cooking.
