Thimble Cottage

Thimble Cottage sits on Cliff Street in Mevagissey village centre - a two-bedroom cottage for four, tucked into the car-free network of lanes that runs down to the working double harbour. With a wood burner, an open fire, and an enclosed garden, the cottage is designed for year-round use, and the accessible ground floor makes it one of the few genuinely level properties in a village built on a hillside.

Inside, the cottage sleeps four across two bedrooms, with one bathroom and a washing machine. The sitting room's open fire and adjoining wood burner give two separate heat sources - useful in winter when the harbour takes on a quite different character. Wi-Fi and off-road parking are included.

Mevagissey's inner streets are too narrow for cars, so the cottage's position means the harbour, fish and chip shops, and the ferry landing are all on foot. Fresh crab is landed and sold on the quay during the season. Pentewan Beach - a nearly mile-long stretch of sand with lifeguards and kayaking - lies 1.4 miles north. Gorran Haven, a sheltered south-facing cove, is 2 miles, and Hemmick Beach - a quieter option below the coast path - is 3 miles.

Best for: couples or families wanting a genuine working harbour village as a base, coastal walking, and easy access to south coast beaches. Less good for: guests needing extensive outdoor space (garden is enclosed but compact) or those wanting a rural, secluded setting.