The Steps

Pentewan's harbour lies at the heart of what was once Cornwall's third-largest China clay export hub. The village has quieted since then, leaving behind original stone buildings and a working waterfront that feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished for visitors. A two-minute walk gets you to a substantial stretch of pale sand, and from there the Pentewan Valley Trail—a converted railway route—runs through the valley towards St Austell. Within a short drive sit Mevagissey, a working fishing port with narrow streets and independent pubs, and Charlestown, an eighteenth-century harbour with tall ships and a film location used regularly for television dramas.

The Steps occupies the first floor of the Ship Inn, reached by an external flight of Cornish stone steps (hence the name). Inside there is a living and dining area with a sofa, a kitchen with electric oven and induction hob for self-catering, a double bedroom with a 4ft 6in bed, and a bathroom with shower over the bath. One car can park on site. Bed linen, towels, Wi-Fi and electricity are included; heating runs on electric central system. No smoking inside. The flat suits two people looking for a coastal base with genuine village character rather than resort atmosphere, and the option of eating downstairs at the inn if cooking holds no appeal.