Victorian Police Station - flexible suite, self contained

The Old Police Station on Westgate Street in Launceston is a self-contained hotel suite occupying a converted Victorian building that once served as the town's working police station. That history gives the property a character most holiday lets in Cornwall cannot match. It holds a 9.3 rating on Booking.com from 146 reviews, placing it among the top-rated places to stay in east Cornwall.

The suite comes with a private bathroom and access to a shared kitchen. Free wifi is included throughout. Dogs are welcome, and free on-site parking is a practical advantage in Launceston - the medieval street layout means spaces near the centre are genuinely hard to find during busy periods. The garden and terrace provide outdoor space to sit, and dogs have room to stretch out after a day on the moors.

Launceston's Norman castle stands on the hilltop above the property, its round keep giving panoramic views across the Tamar Valley toward Dartmoor. St Mary Magdalene Church, with its extraordinary carved granite exterior, is a short walk away. The Launceston Steam Railway runs a heritage narrow-gauge line through the Kensey Valley - worth an afternoon. The north coast beaches at Widemouth Bay and Millook are about 13 miles away (a 30-minute drive), and Bodmin Moor is on the doorstep for walking.

Best for: travellers who want a distinctive base in east Cornwall with easy access to Bodmin Moor, good ratings confidence, and a dog-friendly setup. Less good for: those expecting a standard self-catering cottage with a private kitchen - this is a hotel-style suite with shared kitchen facilities.