Thimble Lodge

Thimble Lodge is a single-bedroom log cabin set in the grounds of the owner's home in the Tamar Valley hamlet of Latchley. The cabin sleeps 2 in a double room and sits in a gated plot with valley views. Inside, a wood burner takes the chill off cool evenings; outside, a private lawn and BBQ give space for summer cooking without the crowds.

The surrounding area rewards quiet exploration. Morwellham Quay - a restored Victorian copper-port about 6 miles away - offers a strong sense of the region's industrial past. Cotehele House and Mill, a National Trust estate, is a similar distance north along the valley. The Tamar Valley Line runs through nearby Gunnislake, making car-free day trips to Plymouth straightforward.

Downderry beach on the south Cornish coast is 13.5 miles from the cabin, with Whitsand Bay's 3-mile stretch of sand at 13.7 miles. Kingsand and Cawsand, two connected fishing villages on the Rame Peninsula, are roughly the same distance and worth half a day.

Best for couples, walkers, and dog owners wanting a rural base between Dartmoor and the south Cornwall coast. Less good for those who need to be within walking distance of the sea - the nearest beach requires a drive. 25 guest reviews on HolidayCottages.