Wind In The Willows

Wind In The Willows is a studio-style one-bedroom cottage in Gooseham near Bude, converted from a wing of the owner's farmhouse and sleeping two. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and a wood burner give the interior a settled, unhurried character. A sliding door opens directly onto the enclosed patio garden, which has a gas BBQ and a table for two. Dogs are welcome - up to 2 - and have run of the patio as well as access to a shared 2-acre field. The property has collected 42 reviews and rated 4.3 overall.

The South West Coast Path crosses a mile from the front door, leading north to the National Trust property at Hawker's Hut - a small turf-roofed hut used by the Victorian poet Robert Hawker, set above the cliffs at Morwenstow. Duckpool Beach, the first beach south of the Devon border, is 5.2km. Sandymouth Beach is 6.4km and has a National Trust car park. Both beaches are backed by steep valleys and see far fewer visitors than Bude.

Bude town is 8 miles south with 3 sandy beaches, a tidal sea pool, and the South West Coast Path connection heading both north and south. A local pub and tea room sit within a mile of the cottage. Clovelly in Devon is a comparable distance in the opposite direction. EV charging is available on site, and Robert hosts.

This property is best for a couple looking for a walking base that avoids the main coastal resorts. The beaches are a drive rather than a walk, and there is no dishwasher - not great for guests who prioritise a fully equipped kitchen. The 2-acre shared field and rural setting are the main draw.