Beach Haven

Beach Haven is a three-bedroom house set above Polzeath village, sleeping seven across two doubles and a family room (double plus single). The cottage sits on a stepped site - access involves stairs - and at 600m from Polzeath Beach it's close enough to walk down for a morning surf.

Inside, two bathrooms serve the house - one with bath and walk-in shower, one with bath only - plus two separate WCs. The sitting room has a woodburning stove, a separate dining room seats the full party of seven, and a utility room handles laundry. Each bedroom has a basin.

The games room on the ground floor has table football, darts, and table tennis - useful on wet days or for entertaining mixed-age groups. Off-road parking takes three cars. Polzeath Beach is a half-mile sandy surf beach with RNLI lifeguards and surf schools running from Easter to October. Greenaway Beach, 1km south, is quieter with rock pools at low tide.

Polzeath village has a surf shop, a deli, several cafes, and the Oyster Catcher restaurant. Rock is 2 miles south, with a water taxi running to Padstow across the Camel Estuary in summer. Port Isaac - the Doc Martin village - is 6 miles north.

Best for: families or groups who want a surf base with indoor entertainment and space to spread out. Less good for: guests with limited mobility (the stepped access is not suitable), or those expecting a sea view.