Abalone

A first-floor apartment on The Terrace in St Ives, sleeping four across two bedrooms and two bathrooms. From £1,249 per week. Off-road parking is included - a genuine advantage this close to the town centre, where most visitors queue for the park-and-ride or pay daily fees at the Trenwith car park.

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms give each couple their own space. The private balcony has outdoor seating and faces south, which means afternoon light and some shelter from the prevailing south-westerly wind off the Atlantic. The kitchen has a dishwasher and full appliances; a washing machine is also provided. Wi-Fi throughout. Saturday changeover.

Porthminster Beach is 300m downhill - a south-facing sandy bay with a cafe and calm water that's good for paddling even when the Atlantic swell is running. St Ives harbour beach sits 500m away. Porthmeor Beach, the surf-facing north beach, is 800m across town. The Tate St Ives gallery is a short walk from Porthmeor, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the sea. The town has around 15 independent galleries in its lanes - a higher concentration than almost anywhere in England outside London.

Best for couples or small families wanting a central St Ives base with parking sorted. Rated 5 stars from 54 reviews on Sykes. Less suited to anyone needing step-free access - the town's lanes involve steep drops and uneven granite cobbles that make mobility aids difficult.