Geranium Cottage

Port Isaac remains one of Cornwall's most authentic fishing villages, its narrow streets and working quays largely unchanged despite the tourist traffic. Geranium Cottage sits just above the harbour, reached up a quiet lane away from the busier seafront. Built in 1760, the whitewashed cottage has the thick walls and slate floors of its era, with exposed beams and a wood-burning stove in the sitting room. The kitchen is equipped for proper cooking—electric cooker and oven, dishwasher, fridge-freezer—and the open-plan dining area has a large farmhouse table where eight can eat together.

There are four bedrooms across two floors. Ground level has a double with TV and a twin; upstairs are a bunk room and a master suite with a super-king bed and ensuite shower. One family bathroom serves the other bedrooms. WiFi, electricity and heating are included, as is initial fuel for the fire. Outside, a west-facing courtyard with patio and garden furniture overlooks the village rooftops; space for eight at the dining table out here in fair weather. One dog or cat stays free. There is allocated car parking just under half a mile away, though you can unload at the door. Port Isaac suits people wanting the atmosphere of a real working place rather than a resort—the pasty shop, pubs and restaurants are minutes' walk, and the South West Coast Path is accessible nearby.