Ploughmans Retreat

Ploughmans Retreat is a six-bedroom rural house near Kilkhampton, sleeping 12 across three double bedrooms and three twins, so every guest has a made-up bed rather than a sofa. Four bathrooms serve the group, cutting queues even though not every bedroom has private facilities. The kitchen has a Rangemaster electric oven and hob, an American-style fridge/freezer, an air fryer, a microwave and a washer/dryer. The main lounge has a Smart TV, DVD player and hi-fi.

A heated swimming pool sits in the garden alongside a barbecue area, and the house comes with Wi-Fi, parking and a dishwasher. Ponies are kept on site, and up to two dogs can stay.

Kilkhampton itself has a pub, a post office and the parish church of St James, whose 150-plus carved bench ends date from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Coombe Valley nature reserve lies about a mile west, with waymarked trails down to the coast at Steeple Point. Duckpool Beach is 4.5 miles away, Sandymouth Beach 4.7 miles and Northcott Mouth Beach 5.3 miles, all within 3 miles of the village via the coast path. Bude, Clovelly and Boscastle are further driving trips from Kilkhampton.

**Best for:** larger families or groups wanting six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a heated pool, garden and room for two dogs. **Less good for:** groups needing a bathroom per bedroom or step-free access.