The Lake House , luxury rural retreat

The Lake House is a one-bedroom cottage on Trewarren Farm near Ladock, sleeping two in a super-king ensuite room with a walk-in shower. Booking.com guests rate it 10 from 14 reviews, a rare clean sweep across every category.

The self-contained cottage overlooks a two-acre lake, with decking and a gas barbecue for outdoor dining and wildlife to watch from the terrace. Inside there's underfloor heating, a wood burner in the open-plan lounge, and a kitchen with dishwasher and espresso machine. A utility room has a freezer and washer-dryer, and quality linen, towels and bathrobes are provided. It sits at the end of a long private lane, with free parking and WiFi.

Truro Cathedral is 8.7 miles away, and Crantock Beach is 11 miles, 9.9 miles from the cottage to Newquay by road. DairyLand Farm World is five miles, and the Eden Project 14 miles. Village shops and a butcher near Ladock are a 10-minute drive, and Ladock Woods has walking trails from the door. A handful of pubs within a short drive serve food sourced from local farms and fishermen.

Best for a couple wanting a quiet, self-contained rural base with lake views. Less good for anyone without a car, since shops, pubs and the coast are all a drive away down unlit lanes.