Ocean Blue

Two-bedroom cliff-top apartment in Porthtowan, the north-coast surf village 4 miles north-west of Truro. Ocean Blue sleeps 4, with a balcony pointing west over the beach and the Atlantic. The path down to the sand reaches the surf in under a minute.

The layout is open-plan kitchen-diner-living with doors to the balcony, two bedrooms, and one bathroom. Allocated parking, Wi-Fi, and a washing machine are included; no dishwasher and no pets. Changeover is Saturday. With 44 reviews on file averaging 4 stars, expect a tidy if not luxurious finish - this is a holiday let, not a boutique conversion.

The Blue Bar sits along the clifftop and runs through the evening. The Unicorn pub is in the village. Walk south on the South West Coast Path for two miles to Chapel Porth, with the Wheal Coates engine houses above - the most photographed mining ruins in Cornwall. Surf school and board hire are on the beach in season. St Agnes is 4 miles east; Truro and the cathedral 4 miles inland.

Best for a small family or two couples who want a sea-view balcony and a one-minute walk to the surf. Less good for groups larger than four or anyone who needs a dishwasher.