Gwithian Shepherds Hut

A one-bedroom shepherds hut near Angarrack, sitting between Hayle and Redruth in west Cornwall. The hut sleeps 2 in a double, with one bathroom and a private garden. On a clear evening the glow from St Ives is visible from the site, 15 minutes west by car.

Inside, the hut is compact and well-finished for two. An open fire takes the edge off shoulder-season evenings. WiFi and off-road parking are included. No dishwasher or washing machine - this is a genuinely small space suited to a few nights, not a week-long family stay with laundry needs.

Gwithian Towans beach is 4km north - a long Atlantic-facing stretch of dune-backed sand where the Red River meets the sea. Kiteboarders work the wide beach when the wind picks up, and the National Trust-managed Godrevy headland, with the lighthouse that inspired Virginia Woolf's novel, sits at the far end. Porthkidney Beach is also 4km away. Hayle town centre, with its cafes and supermarket, is a short drive.

Best for couples after a quiet rural retreat with easy access to the west Cornwall coast and St Ives. Less good for anyone who needs space, a full kitchen, or a washing machine for a longer stay.