Otters Retreat Little Petherick

Two-bedroom cottage in Little Petherick, sleeping 4 - a king-size and a twin, each with its own bathroom. Set in a wooded creek hamlet 2 miles south of Padstow via a quiet country lane.

An open fire anchors the sitting room, useful from autumn through spring. Dishwasher, washer/dryer and Wi-Fi included; no hot tub. Two bathrooms for four guests avoids the morning squeeze. The enclosed garden leads directly onto a shared 3-acre field - one of the better dog-running options in the Padstow area, where most cottage gardens are small.

The hamlet sits beside Little Petherick Creek, a tidal inlet of the Camel Estuary. The 14th-century church of St Petroc Minor stands at the water's edge. Trevone Bay, a sheltered sandy cove popular with families, is 2.7 miles north. Harlyn Bay beach, a westerly-facing surf beach with a life-saving club, is 3.3 miles. The Camel Trail - a flat, traffic-free cycle path along the estuary - connects to Padstow in around 30 minutes on a bike or an hour on foot.

Padstow itself is a 5-minute drive for restaurants, the Saturday market, and the ferry across the Camel to Rock. Best for families or groups with dogs wanting space, countryside, and quick access to north Cornwall beaches. Less suited to guests without a car - the hamlet has no shops or regular bus service.