Auverne

Four-bedroom detached cottage near Poundstock, a scattered rural parish 4 miles south of Bude on the north Cornwall coast. The property sleeps eight across three floors and sits within easy reach of Widemouth Bay, one of north Cornwall's most consistent surf beaches at around 2 miles west.

The cottage has four bedrooms: a ground-floor king with en-suite, a super-king that converts to twin, plus a double and a separate twin upstairs. Two bathrooms serve the group. A games room and dedicated bike storage make this a practical base for activity-focused groups - the South West Coast Path runs along the cliff tops within a short drive, and Widemouth Bay draws both beginners and intermediate surfers.

Outside, a garden with BBQ and off-road parking handle the logistics of eight guests. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher and washing machine. Bude, 4 miles north, has a good run of independent restaurants, a canal-side walk, and a sea pool. Poundstock's 14th-century church house - one of the best-surviving medieval guildhalls in the country - is worth a look on the way through.

Best for: families or two-couple groups after surf-and-countryside combination holidays; groups arriving by bike or with lots of outdoor kit. Less good for: anyone wanting walkable beach access (Widemouth needs a car) or a town setting.