Pump Cottage

Pump Cottage is a four-bedroom holiday cottage in Gwithian, sleeping 8, set 800 metres from Gwithian Towans - a three-mile stretch of Atlantic-facing sand that draws surfers and families in equal measure. Godrevy Beach, with its offshore lighthouse and grey seal colony, is 1.7km in the other direction. Prices start from GBP1,045 per night.

Inside, the cottage runs to two bathrooms and an open fire alongside a wood burner, so it works as well in October as it does in July. The kitchen is fully equipped with a dishwasher and washing machine. The dog-friendly policy covers the enclosed garden where the BBQ is set up for warmer evenings.

Gwithian sits on the edge of Hayle Bay, with the South West Coast Path accessible from the village on foot. St Ives is a 15-minute drive south; Hayle town with its shops and cafes is under two miles east. The Red River Valley nature reserve runs along the back of the Towans - worth an hour on a quiet morning.

Best for: families or two households wanting Atlantic coast access without the tourist-town price tag. Less good for: anyone expecting walkable restaurants - Gwithian is a quiet village and the nearest pub requires a short drive to Hayle.