Ruby Valley View Cottages

A converted farm barn near Woodford in north Cornwall, sleeping 2 in a king-size bedroom. The conversion keeps the original stone walls and overhead beams alongside underfloor heating - a practical combination for a property that works as well in October as it does in July. The open-plan lounge, kitchen, and dining area opens onto a BBQ patio with views across the valley toward the coast.

One bathroom, no washing machine - worth knowing for a longer stay. The garden and patio suit the one dog allowed. Parking on site. Rating 4.3/5 from 39 reviews is a reliable signal that the property delivers what it promises.

Duckpool Beach is about 2 miles away - a remote National Trust cove with dramatic cliffs, large boulders, and no facilities. Sandymouth, a wider National Trust strand with a seasonal cafe and lifeguards in summer, is a similar distance. Bude is about 5 miles south, with two beaches including Summerleaze and its year-round open-air tidal sea pool, shops, and a handful of restaurants. Kilkhampton village is about a mile north with a pub.

Best for couples or solo travellers who want a rural base with easy coastal access and don't need to be in a town. Less suited to groups of more than 2, anyone needing a washing machine for a longer stay, or those wanting to walk everywhere rather than drive to the beach.