2 The Dunes

Ground-floor apartment in the Shore View complex at Swanpool, 100 metres from the water in Falmouth. Sleeps four across two bedrooms. Rated 4.9 from nine Sykes reviews - the highest score of any Falmouth apartment in this size band.

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms sit off an open-plan kitchen and living space that opens onto a private rear patio. Single-level layout with no internal stairs, though the apartment is not formally accessibility-rated. Two designated parking spaces are included - a real bonus on this stretch of coast where summer parking turns difficult. No dogs, no wood burner, no sea view from the windows.

Swanpool Beach is the standout: sand and shingle on one side of the road, a freshwater nature reserve lagoon on the other, with a beach cafe and watersports hire on site. Gyllyngvase is 900m along the coast path - 12 minutes on foot. The walk west continues to Maenporth cove (1.5 miles) and on past Trebah and Glendurgan gardens 5 miles south. Falmouth town centre and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall are a ten-minute drive.

Best for a couple or small family wanting a quiet beach base with parking sorted. Less good for groups needing extra beds or guests wanting town-centre walking distance.