Sea Horses

Sea Horses is a three-bedroom cottage at 26 Middle Street in Port Isaac, 100 metres from the working harbour. Three bedrooms sleep six across one bathroom; the multi-level terraced garden has a BBQ and is one of the more useful outdoor spaces in a village where gardens are typically small or non-existent.

Port Gaverne Beach is 600 metres along the lane east of the village - a sheltered cove that catches less swell than exposed North Cornwall beaches and is reliable for swimming when the Atlantic is too rough elsewhere. The beach has a pub and cafe at the top. Polzeath Beach, one of the most visited surf spots on this coast, is 4 miles by road.

Port Isaac's harbour is the base for working crab and lobster boats; the narrow lanes running down to the slipway are used as filming locations for Doc Martin. The village has two pubs, a fish-and-chip shop, and several restaurants. There is no supermarket - the nearest is in Wadebridge, 6.2 miles east. Parking is off-road at the property, which matters in a village where street parking is very limited.

Good for groups of six who want a village base with a proper garden and easy harbour access. Not suitable for guests with pets or those expecting modern amenities.