Polwen

A three-bedroom cottage in Harlyn Bay sleeping 6, with a footpath from the back garden onto the beach itself - one of the few rentals around here that puts the sand within walking distance of your kitchen door without crossing a road. The Sykes rating sits at 10/10 across 23 reviews.

The cottage runs to two bathrooms, an enclosed garden, and off-road parking. Wifi, dishwasher, and washing machine are included. Dogs are welcome - useful given that Harlyn Bay allows dogs on the sand year-round outside the lifeguarded zone in summer. Saturday changeover.

Harlyn Bay is the sheltered north-facing one of the Seven Bays of St Merryn - generally calmer for swimming than exposed Constantine Bay a mile north. The Harlyn Inn is a 5-minute walk for lunch and dinner with a sand-floor view. RNLI lifeguards work the beach in summer and Harlyn Surf School operates from the sand. Padstow and the Stein restaurants are 3 miles south by car, with the Camel Trail starting from the harbour.

Best for dog-owning families who want beach access without a school run of bags and buggies across roads. Less good for anyone wanting period character or sea views from the cottage windows - the position is set back behind a low rise.