Robins Rest

Two-storey family house in Goonhavern, 1.8 miles inland from Perranporth and its 3 miles of Atlantic-facing sand. Three bedrooms sleep eight, with a 4-night minimum stay. Glass doors from the open-plan living-dining area open straight onto a wide terrace and a lawn big enough for a game of cricket.

The house is set up for families and dog owners. There's a BBQ on the terrace, a dishwasher in the kitchen, off-street parking, and an enclosed garden so younger children and dogs can run without supervision. Bedrooms split across the two floors, with one bathroom serving all three.

Goonhavern village has a pub (the New Inn), a Londis store and a garden centre with a cafe. Perranporth itself - five minutes by car - has the surf school, the Watering Hole pub built on the sand, and the south-end car park near the boating lake. The South West Coast Path runs north past Penhale Sands toward Holywell Bay and south to St Agnes.

Best for: a family or two of eight wanting garden space and a car-trip to the beach rather than seafront bustle. Less good for: groups who want to walk to the pub from the door, or anyone needing more than one bathroom for eight people.