Charlie Wilcox Cottage

This 17th-century cottage sits on the harbour edge in Polperro, where narrow streets of galleries and restaurants lead down to the water. The building's age shows in its low ceilings and uneven floors throughout—a reminder of when it was built. One dog is welcome to stay, at no extra cost. Parking for one car is available in the public car park nearby, and there's storage space for a surfboard if you bring one.

Inside, the layout spreads across three floors. The ground floor has a living and dining room warmed by a woodburner, with views across the harbour. The first floor holds two bedrooms—a double and a single—plus a bathroom with a bath and shower. Downstairs, a third double bedroom has its own ensuite, and the kitchen is equipped for proper cooking: electric oven, two-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Linen, towels, wi-fi and the initial fuel for the stove are included. A cot is available, and a small back garden with patio space looks out from the property. The cottage does not allow smoking.

The village itself pulls in walkers, artists and families who come for the coastal path, the local museum, and the working fishing harbour just outside the door. Polperro has been a settlement since medieval times and still feels lived-in rather than merely picturesque.