Salubrious Cottage

Salubrious Cottage is a three-bedroom, four-floor cottage in St Ives, sleeping six across two bathrooms. The TR26 1HN postcode places it in the old town, 200m from both Porthmeor Beach - St Ives' main surf beach - and the harbour. At from £1,050/week, it works out at around £175/night; realistic peak prices will be higher, but the location justifies it.

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garden with BBQ gives enough room for two couples or a family of six. Off-road parking is included - a genuine advantage in St Ives, where central parking is limited and expensive. Wi-Fi, dishwasher, and washing machine are all provided. Dogs are welcome.

From the door, Porthgwidden Beach is 400m - a sheltered sandy cove between the headland and the lifeboat station, calmer than Porthmeor and popular with families. The Tate St Ives gallery is a 5-minute walk above Porthmeor. The Sloop Inn, one of the oldest pubs in St Ives, and the harbour-front fish restaurants are under 10 minutes on foot.

St Ives in July and August is genuinely busy - lanes congested, beaches packed, restaurants booking up weeks ahead. Arriving out of season (May, June, September) gives the same beaches and town in a very different register.

Best for: families or two couples wanting a central St Ives cottage with beach access, a garden, and the rare benefit of parking. Less good for: budget travellers or those wanting a quiet rural escape - this is a popular town in a sought-after location.