Samphire

Samphire is a two-bedroom cottage on St Ives Road, Carbis Bay, sleeping four across two bathrooms. Off-road parking and Wi-Fi are included. The property has a washer/dryer, handy after a day on the sand. With two bathrooms for four guests, mornings are less of a queue than in many cottages of this size.

Carbis Bay Beach is 300m downhill - a sandy, sheltered bay protected from Atlantic swell by the headland. The hotel at the north end has a spa and beach bar; the public stretch to the south is quieter and free to access. It's one of the calmest north-coast bays in west Cornwall, suitable for young children and less confident swimmers. Porthkidney, a wilder strand of sand dunes, is 1.2 miles along the coast path.

Porthminster Beach and St Ives town centre are 1.4 miles - a 25-minute walk along the coast path with sea views, or a 5-minute drive. The walk takes in the St Ives Branch Line railway, which runs from St Erth to St Ives along the cliff - useful if you want to arrive car-free or leave the car at the cottage. Saturday changeover. No pets.

Best for: couples or a small family wanting straightforward beach access at Carbis Bay and a low-maintenance base for day trips to St Ives.