Rockpools

Rockpools is a four-bedroom architect-designed house above Watergate Bay, 0.9km from the sand and roughly 4 miles north of Newquay. It sleeps 10, has its own hot tub and a soundproofed cinema room, and looks out across cliffs to the Atlantic. One of a small handful of houses on this stretch with a sea view from the door.

The interior runs as a single open-plan living space with a stone-walled fireplace, Scandi-style kitchen with breakfast bar, and floor-to-ceiling glazing onto the patio. Four bedrooms and four bathrooms spread across two floors; the master en suite has a swivel window for ventilation. Cedarwood cladding in the bedrooms adds warmth, and the cinema room with sink-in sofas earns its keep on rainy afternoons. Outside there's a BBQ, swinging chairs and the hot tub.

Walk down to the bay for the Watergate Bay Extreme Academy - surf, kitesurf, waveski and paddleboard lessons run from the sand - or eat at the Beach Hut on the beach. The coast path north climbs over the cliffs to Mawgan Porth (2.3km) past the Bedruthan Steps stack viewpoint. Newquay's Fistral surf scene and Cornwall Airport are within 10 minutes by car.

Best for two families sharing, multi-generational groups, or a large gathering wanting space and a sea view. Less good for the first week of August when Boardmasters brings traffic and noise to the bay.