3 Lower Saltings

Popular with walkers, surfers and swimmers, Porthmeor is a safe, sandy beach below the iconic Tate St Ives art gallery and just a stroll across the peninsula from the town's historic harbour. To one end of Porthmeor Beach a beautiful headland known as The Island juts out into St Ives Bay – follow the South West Coast Path around it for spectacular sea views, stopping en route at ancient St Nicholas' Chapel. Keep your eyes peeled for the seals and dolphins that can be seen in the surrounding waters too. For time away from the water's edge, St Ives has lovely, lush gardens, while the open space of The Malakoff has pretty planting and is home to a Barbara Hepworth sculpture, 'Epidaurus'. If you prefer to explore by car, take the coast road 20 miles south-west to Land's End, or head 10 miles south to Newlyn, home of the famous Newlyn School of Art and one of the UK's largest fishing fleets. From here, it's just 3 miles to lively Penzance or 8 miles to Marazion and the romantic St Michael's Mount. Tucked away in a quiet courtyard close to Porthmeor Beach, this seaside bolthole is perfectly designed for two to unwind in comfort. Make yourselves at home in the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area, where co-ordinated furnishings and a lovely corner sofa set the scene for quiet evenings and quality together time. Contemporary styling and an uncluttered layout give this space a real sense of calm, which continues in the sanctuary-like bedroom where there's a king-size bed and a stable door for access to the courtyard. Whether at the start or end of your day, you'll love to freshen up in the wet room which has a lovely walk-in shower. There's no garden here but the shared courtyard offers a pretty area in which to sit out, while the sands of Porthmeor Beach are just metres from your doorstep.