Horizon Bay

Ground-floor two-bedroom apartment in Tremorna House, a Victorian villa once occupied by the St Ives School of Artists. Sleeps four, with a private gate onto the South West Coast Path and Carbis Bay beach metres from the door.

The living room has a triple-aspect window framing the bay and opens onto a large covered veranda for outdoor meals. The master bedroom is en-suite and shares the sea view and veranda access. A second bunk room at the back suits two children, and the kitchen comes fully equipped for self-catering.

Access is the honest caveat: a communal path drops 23 steps down to the front door, signposted "Horizon". Not suitable for guests with limited mobility, prams or heavy luggage. The branch-line station at Carbis Bay runs to St Ives in 5 minutes, and the coast-path walk takes 25 minutes along the cliffs above the bay.

St Ives itself sits 1 mile north and packs in Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum, and Porthmeor surf beach. The Porthminster Beach Cafe is a 20-minute walk along the coast for lunch with sea views. Lelant village and golf course sit a mile south above the Hayle Estuary RSPB reserve.

Best for couples or small families who want sea views, beach swims before breakfast, and quick access to St Ives without staying in the centre. Less good for guests with mobility issues or anyone bringing a dog.