10 best luxury holiday homes in Cornwall

1. IRAIA, SEATON

For a seaside escape you’ll never forget, Iraia is an outstanding, eco-friendly, architect-designed property standing above Seaton Beach on the south coast of Cornwall. It oozes luxury throughout, with wrap-around private decking, a hot tub and swimming pool outdoors, and a mellow Nordic interior complete with super king-size beds, sink-in sofas, a roaring fireplace and enormous windows. Spend your summer days at the beach below, followed by an evening in the hot tub, gazing at the starry skies. With space for up to eight guests, Iraia starts from £4,750 per week or £3,350 for a short break (01637 881183, uniquehomestays.com)

2. BEAGLE COTTAGE, TROWAN, ST IVES

This newly renovated cottage provides an idyllic getaway for those who want to enjoy the tranquillity of the Cornish countryside, while also being just a short walk or drive to popular St Ives and its award-winning beaches and attractions. Beagle Cottage is set on 30 acres of private land with panoramic sea views – best admired while dining al fresco in the enclosed garden at sunset. But even while cooking in the kitchen or curled up on the sofa beside the wood-burning stove, you’re still able to gaze out to the horizon through the large glass windows and doors. Sleeping six, prices for Beagle Cottage start from £2,250 per week (07710 238225, sandytoestays.co.uk).

3. BAYWATCH, TRESCO, ISLES OF SCILLY

If you’re looking for the island experience, this delightful Scillonian cottage is the place to go. Baywatch provides the perfect blend of traditional charm with modern must-haves in a brilliant beachfront location. It has an attractive granite stone exterior, and once you step inside, you’re welcomed with fresh blue and white furnishings, reflecting the shades of the sea. Speaking of, stunning turquoise water is right outside the front door! Tresco is the perfect destination for ocean-lovers, as there’s plenty of coastal culture to discover across this magical island. Sleeping 10, prices for a week’s stay start from £2,930 (01720 422849, tresco.co.uk).

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4. THE BEACH HOUSE, MAWGAN PORTH

Sitting above Mawgan Porth’s glorious golden sands, this modern property is the ultimate beachside pad with breathtaking ocean vistas. There’s so much to enjoy in this stylish holiday home – outdoors you’ll find a large heated swimming pool, hot tub and dining area to have summer barbecues, while indoors there are two relaxing living areas, one of which is connected to a large balcony, and the light open-plan kitchen makes a great space for entertaining. Mawgan Porth’s shops, pub, surf school, and fish restaurant are within easy reach, or venture out to neighbouring areas such Watergate Bay and Padstow. The Beach House sleeps up to 12 people, costing from £2,140 per week (01637 861005, beachretreats.co.uk).

5. DRY CREEK HOUSE, POLZEATH

Emerging among the trees and wildflowers, this spectacular eco property on Cornwall’s north coast is something really quite special. Dry Creek House has everything you need for a luxury retreat, such as a high-spec kitchen, spacious lounge with wood-burner, TV room with projector screen – and that’s just inside. Outdoors you can lounge on the balcony admiring the amazing sea view, gather round the fire pit, or hop in the hot tub with a glass of wine. What makes this property even better is that it’s only a short walk to the beach via a private footpath. A week’s stay starts from £1,540 and the property sleeps up to eight people (01208 869090, latitude50.co.uk).

6. GWEL AN TRETH, SENNEN COVE

Impressive architecture, stylish furnishing and mesmerising sea views, Gwel an Treth is an outstanding property designed with the ocean in mind. Large sliding doors and glass panels have been used throughout to maximise the panorama, so you can watch the surf scene at Sennen Cove while lazing on the grand sofa by the double-sided fire, while tucked up in a king-size bed, or when stepping out onto the glass-fronted balcony. Coastal ramblers will enjoy the walk to Land’s End, promising historical interest and glimpses of wildlife along the way. Sleeping 10, seven nights start from £2,850 or £2,270 for short breaks (01208 895570, perfectstays.co.uk).

7. LAFLOUDER THATCH, MULLION

Make all your thatched cottage dreams come true with this beautiful Grade II-listed property, recently renovated to bring its olde worlde charm to life. The cottage is surprisingly spacious, with a gorgeous open-plan sociable kitchen and dining area, and a cosy living room with its original inglenook fireplace. Outside is a heated swimming pool, with a fabulous view of the sea as its backdrop. Laflouder Thatch is well placed for those who want to explore the Lizard Peninsula and all its beautiful beaches, including much-loved Kynance Cove. The cottage sleeps six and costs from £1,276 for three nights and £1,575 for seven nights (01872 241241, cornishgems.com).

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8. NO 3 THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, CAWSAND

With its rich history – first built as a pilchard palace in the 1500s, to then being converted into a school during the 17th century – this now renovated rental property nestled in quaint Cawsand village certainly has plenty of character. No 3 perches right on the water’s edge, so you can sit on the window seats or out on the balcony with your cup of coffee and be captivated by the ever-changing ocean scenery. After days exploring the Cornish coast, embracing the salty sea air, nothing feels as luxurious as returning to your home from home and climbing into a relaxing Bateau bath to warm the cockles. Sleeping six, a week’s stay costs from £995 or a three-night weekend from £475 (oldschoolhousecornwall.com).

9. TRESITHNEY, ROCK

Spend summer splashing around in the outdoor pool, while wet and windy evenings can be enjoyed watching movies in your very own home cinema – you’ll never tire of things to do in this exceptional holiday home. Tresithney’s rooms are spacious with a sleek, contemporary feel. The first floor is an incredible open-plan living space including kitchen, dining and sitting room, with sliding doors opening up onto the balcony overlooking Camel Estuary. If you can bear to leave this gorgeous building, there’s plenty of Cornish gems to explore nearby such as Port Isaac, Padstow and sandy beaches of Rock and Polzeath. Sleeping 10, weekly prices at Tresithney start from £3,135 (01208 863206, johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk).

10. SPINDRIFT, PRAA SANDS

Hovering above dreamy white sands and pristine seas, Spindrift is all about the superb scenery. This coastal haven will have you watching the waves wherever you choose to unwind – dining outside on the large decked terrace, surrounded by bubbles in the luxurious hot tub, or even snuggled up indoors by the fire, as the large windows allow you to bring the outdoors in. Picturesque Praa Sands is also only short stroll away, where you can sunbathe, surf or paddle in the shallows, and if you’re bringing your dog along, the South West Coast Path isn’t too far to enjoy some wonderful walks. Spindrift sleeps six people and costs from £700 (0330 1137005, luxurycoastal.co.uk).