North Cornwall Holiday Cottages

A genuine Cornish experience

Choosing one of our holiday cottages in North Cornwall means staying close to everything that makes this part of Cornwall so memorable. The region combines rugged cliffs with peaceful countryside and long sandy beaches where you can always find a quiet spot. It’s a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a simpler pace of life. The sea, the light, and the open spaces create a setting that’s easy to fall in love with. Each season brings something different – spring wildflowers along the cliff paths, summer days on the beach, autumn walks through golden fields, and cosy winter evenings beside the fire.

Coastal towns and villages

Every town and village in North Cornwall has its own character and rhythm. Padstow is well known for its harbour, seafood restaurants, and relaxed charm. The Camel Trail, which links Padstow and Wadebridge, is perfect for cycling or walking beside the estuary. Port Isaac remains wonderfully unspoiled, with narrow lanes, whitewashed cottages, and the sound of the sea around every corner. Bude has a friendly, easy-going feel, with wide beaches, a sea pool for safe swimming, and independent shops and cafés just behind the sand. Smaller coastal spots like Boscastle, Crackington Haven, and Trebarwith Strand are ideal for quieter days out, offering dramatic scenery and calm, uncrowded beaches.

Further south, Polzeath and Rock attract visitors looking for a mix of laid-back luxury and great surf. From here, you can take the short ferry ride to Padstow or walk along the dunes above the estuary, spotting wading birds and boats drifting with the tide. Inland, villages such as Wadebridge, St Kew, and St Minver offer a more rural side of North Cornwall, surrounded by rolling fields and woodland walks.

Walks, beaches and outdoor life

The South West Coast Path runs the length of North Cornwall and is one of the best ways to experience the region. It links beaches, coves, and headlands, offering views that stretch for miles. There are routes for every ability, from short family strolls to full-day hikes. Surfers head to Polzeath, Widemouth Bay, and Bude for reliable waves, while kayakers and paddleboarders can explore sheltered coves and quiet estuaries. If you enjoy wildlife, look out for seals, seabirds, and even dolphins along the coast.

Inland, Bodmin Moor offers a completely different kind of beauty. Its open landscapes, granite tors, and ancient monuments make it a fascinating place to walk or cycle. The moor’s small hamlets and pubs, such as those near Minions or Blisland, offer a glimpse of Cornwall’s quieter heart. Adventurous visitors can climb Rough Tor or Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall, for sweeping views across the county.

Food, drink and local finds

Food is at the heart of life in North Cornwall. You’ll find everything from traditional pasty shops and beach cafés to fine dining restaurants and local farm markets. Padstow is a highlight for food lovers, home to some of Cornwall’s best-known chefs and restaurants. But great food can be found all along the coast – a simple crab sandwich in Port Isaac, fish and chips in Bude, or a wood-fired pizza overlooking the sea in Polzeath.

Many visitors enjoy shopping locally and cooking for themselves, and North Cornwall makes that easy. Farm shops and delis stock local cheese, bread, cider, and freshly caught seafood. Whether you’re preparing breakfast in your self-catering cottage or planning a picnic for the beach, you’ll have plenty of local produce to choose from. Farmers’ markets, such as those in Wadebridge and Bude, are friendly places to meet growers, bakers, and brewers, and to experience the community spirit that runs through this part of Cornwall.

Culture, heritage and hidden corners

Beyond the beaches, North Cornwall is full of history and character. Tintagel Castle is one of the county’s most famous landmarks, perched high on the cliffs and linked to the legend of King Arthur. Boscastle’s natural harbour tells stories of shipwrecks and sea trade, while the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic adds a curious twist to the village’s history. Art lovers will find galleries tucked away in many of the smaller towns, showing local paintings, ceramics, and photography inspired by the landscape.

There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions, from adventure parks and wildlife sanctuaries to steam railways and heritage trails. The mix of coast and countryside means you can spend one day surfing or rock pooling, and the next walking through moorland or visiting a National Trust garden. It’s this variety that keeps visitors coming back year after year.

Find your ideal cottage

At Lime Cottages, we’ve chosen a collection of holiday cottages in North Cornwall that reflect the landscape and lifestyle of the area. Each one has been carefully selected for comfort, style, and location. You’ll find coastal hideaways for couples, family homes near the beach, and dog-friendly cottages surrounded by countryside. Every property is ready for you to settle in and make your own, with thoughtful touches that make all the difference. Some have sea views and gardens, while others are tucked away in peaceful hamlets close to the coast path.

Our cottages are a mix of traditional and contemporary styles, from converted barns and fisherman’s cottages to modern coastal retreats. Each offers a true home-from-home experience with everything you need for a relaxing stay. Whether you want to wake up to the sound of the sea, walk straight out onto a beach path, or enjoy evenings cooking local produce in your cottage kitchen, you’ll find something that fits perfectly.

North Cornwall isn’t a place to rush through. It’s somewhere to explore slowly, enjoy good food, meet friendly people, and come back to a cottage that feels like home. Whatever time of year you visit, it offers space, peace, and the kind of simple pleasures that make holidays here hard to forget.