Gwithian Lookout

Gwithian Lookout is a cedar-clad three-bedroom beach house set among the dunes at Gwithian, sleeping five, with floor-to-ceiling glass facing the Atlantic. At £949 per night it targets the luxury end, but the ratio of space to occupants - three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a vaulted double-height living area - is genuinely high. Godrevy Lighthouse sits at the northern tip of the bay, visible from the master bedroom.

Inside, the open-plan living space has a corner wood burner and hand-crafted wooden ladders rising to two mezzanine reading areas. The king master bedroom has sliding doors that open directly to the sea view. Two further bedrooms and a second bathroom serve the remaining guests without any queuing.

Gwithian Towans is 300m on foot through the dunes - a 3-mile stretch of dune-backed northwest-facing sand that picks up consistent Atlantic swell. The stone-walled terrace has an outdoor shower for post-surf rinse-offs. Godrevy Beach is 1.4km further along the coast path, with National Trust car parking and the Jam Pot cafe at the headland. St Ives is 4 miles west across the bay.

Best for couples or families wanting genuine sea views and surf access without driving to the beach. Less suited to guests who need step-free access - the dune paths are uneven - or those put off by the per-night price at low occupancy.