Borlase

Four-bedroom house in the clifftop village of New Polzeath, sleeping eight in two super-kings and two twins. Polzeath Beach - the main north Cornwall surf beach, lifeguarded May to September - sits 500 metres south down the lane.

The cottage runs sociable on the ground floor, with bi-fold doors opening from the kitchen-diner onto an enclosed garden sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly. A utility room takes wetsuits and surf kit out of the main living space. Three bathrooms across the four bedrooms. Dogs welcome (1 dog), parking off-street, host rated category-leader for location (5/5).

New Polzeath is the smaller, quieter village immediately above Polzeath. The Surfrider Inn and Tubestation cafe (a converted Methodist church on Polzeath's main street) are within a 10-minute walk. The South West Coast Path runs through the village - north towards Pentire Point and the Iron Age cliff fort at The Rumps, south to Daymer Bay and the dunes around St Enodoc Church. Rock and the Padstow ferry are 3 miles south.

Best for surfing families and dog-owning groups who want walkable access to the beach and the coast path. Less good for guests after sea views from the windows - the property is set back from the cliff edge.