11 Tywarnhayle House

Three-storey house in Perranporth, 600m on foot from the south end of the beach where The Watering Hole sits on the sand - the only pub built on a beach in mainland Britain. Four bedrooms sleep eight: a top-floor master with en-suite, a king-size double, a zip-and-link twin, and a bunk room for the kids.

The house spreads across three storeys with sea views from the upper floors. There's a wood burner in the sitting room, an open fire, a BBQ on the multi-tiered garden, and parking for several cars. The kitchen is set up for catering for a full house, and dogs are welcome.

Tywarnhayle Square, the centre of Perranporth, is a five-minute walk for the surf school, fish-and-chip shops and the bakery. The South West Coast Path runs past the door: head south four miles to St Agnes for the Wheal Coates engine house ruins on the cliffs, or north past Penhale Sands toward Holywell Bay.

Best for: groups of eight wanting space across three floors with the beach and pubs in walking distance. Less good for: anyone wanting a single-level layout, or guests who'd rather a quiet street - this end of town is busy in summer school holidays.