Hart Cottage

Two-bedroom cottage in Polruan village, sleeping four, set back up Betty Hewans steps from the harbour quay. Three storeys, with both bedrooms upstairs looking over the Fowey estuary. One double, one twin.

Approach is up stone steps into an entrance hall with storage for boots and beach kit. The kitchen and dining area sit on the ground floor with a multi-fuel stove, electric oven and hob, washing machine, and a table for four to six. The first floor holds the lounge with open fire and Smart TV, plus a separate snug or reading room. The two bedrooms and family bathroom (shower over bath) are on the top floor. Honest caveat: no on-site parking - paid car parks are a walk up the village.

The enclosed front patio has a table and chairs for four. Polruan Quay and the foot ferry to Fowey town are paces away, a five-minute crossing for restaurants, shops and the Daphne du Maurier connections. Readymoney Cove sits 700m across the water. The South West Coast Path west to Polperro and east to Lantic Bay both leave from the village edge - one of the better stretches of south Cornwall coast path.

Best for: a couple or small family who want a working harbour-village base and don't mind narrow lanes. Less good for: anyone with mobility limits, or guests bringing a car they need close at hand.