Luxury self-catering cottages in Cornwall

Yes, there’s sand dunes and pasties and big-as-your-head scallop shells, but there’s a stylish underbelly to the Cornish coast that flies in the face of predictable seaside sojourns. Think thoughtfully ornamented beach houses — more Mallorcan than English — artist’s studios turned private pool houses, and dog-friendly coastal estates draped in hand-printed textiles. All that, plus luxury hampers on arrival, in-the-know recommendations, and options to go all-out with a private chef.

Beyond the fine sand and sought-after surf, there's locals crooning sea shanties, open-air performances at the Minack Theatre, and colourful fishing ports like Padstow and Mousehole. Here, daily tasks comprise barefoot walks on the beach, reading newspapers in the hot tub, and stocking up on scones and local jam. When staying in one of these luxury self-catering cottages in Cornwall, you'll become so engulfed in your life by the sea that your freckled face tilts towards the sun and your shoulders drop for good.