Cogenhoe

Cogenhoe is a detached five-bedroom bungalow in Pityme, on the edge of Rock near the Camel Estuary. The single-storey layout suits mixed-age groups - no stairs to navigate for children or older guests - and accepts dogs throughout.

The five bedrooms sleep eight: three king-size rooms (one with en-suite shower), a twin, and a bunk room. The sitting room and conservatory are separate from the kitchen-diner, giving different parts of the group their own space without being on top of each other. Three bathrooms - one en-suite, a main bathroom with shower over bath, and a separate shower room - keep mornings from becoming a queue. Night storage heating, a dishwasher, and WiFi are all included.

Daymer Bay is 2.4km - a sheltered estuary beach with calm, shallow water that works well for young children. Greenaway Beach, a quieter cove with rock pools, is 2.8km. Polzeath, one of the north coast's consistent surf beaches, is 3.1km north. Rock village is a short walk from the cottage, with the water taxi to Padstow running every 20 minutes across the estuary. The Camel Trail cycle path starts at Wadebridge, 4 miles south.

Best for: families with children or dogs, mixed-age groups, anyone wanting the Camel Estuary with beach and surf within easy reach. Less good for: those expecting an evening out in a busy village - Rock is quiet, and Padstow (a 10-minute ferry ride away) is where the restaurants are.