Captains Cottage

Captain's Cottage is a four-bedroom waterside cottage in the heart of St Mawes, on the Roseland, with panoramic sea views across the Carrick Roads. It sleeps seven across four bedrooms and three bathrooms and sits literally on the water, with outside space of its own.

Inside, the accommodation runs across three floors, with an open fire, a dishwasher, washing machine and wifi throughout. The sea view from the upper rooms opens out across the estuary towards Falmouth, and the layout handles larger family groups or two couples travelling together. Dogs are welcome.

Outside the door, pubs, restaurants and shops are all within a few minutes' walk. Hotel Tresanton sits yards away with its restaurant open to non-residents by advance booking. St Mawes has a handful of small south-facing beaches and a sailing club offering temporary membership. The ferry to Falmouth runs year-round from the harbour, with a summer crossing of the Percuil River to St Anthony.

Beyond the village, the 15th-century St Mawes Castle stands in a sub-tropical garden roughly 10 minutes on foot from the harbour. Waterside paths follow the banks of the Percuil River and reach the church at St Just in Roseland. The wider Roseland has small coves, farm shops and a network of lanes that keeps this corner of the south coast quieter than neighbouring Falmouth - a 30-minute ferry ride across the water.

Best for families or two couples wanting a genuinely waterside village base with direct ferry access to Falmouth. Less good for anyone who wants a secluded rural setting - the cottage sits on the waterfront in the centre of St Mawes and gets busy in July and August.