Cornish cottages with sea views are perfect for a fabulous holiday in Cornwall. Spend long days exploring the traditional fishing villages and historical sights for which Cornwall is famous before returning to your holiday cottage to relax and enjoy the far-reaching coastal views.
This post highlights eight carefully selected holiday cottages with sea views in Cornwall that will appeal to those who love to be by the coast and appreciate the beautiful seascapes that can be seen in this most southerly part of the UK.
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8 Best Sea View Cottages in Cornwall
Map of Cornwall Cottages with Sea Views (approximate location)
St Dominic Cottage – St Ives
Sleeps Four in Two Bedrooms – No pets
St Dominic Cottage is a traditional fisherman’s cottage set on three floors and is located in the heart of St Ives, one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside towns.
St Dominic’s has all the characteristics you would look for in a Cornish cottage; in fact, the history behind it was that it was once a pilchard cellar. Long gone are those days, and this fabulous cottage now offers a comfortable and cosy stay in St Ives.
St Dominic Cottage has a homely interior with subtle shades of green, blue and cream running through the property bringing the colours of the Cornish coastline inside the property. The snug sitting room and the main bedroom also have beautiful views across the neighbouring rooftops down to St Ives Harbour.
The property is narrow and has a steep stairwell in keeping with the age and location of the cottage. It is the perfect bolthole for a sea view getaway to Cornwall, and if a winter visit is on the cards, the property also comes with a decorated Christmas tree for festive seaside breaks.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at St Dominic Cottage
In the Area
There are so many things to do in St Ives that you will have plenty of activities to choose from during your stay at St Dominic Cottage.
From wandering around art galleries, including Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, taking to the water on boat trips or sunbathing on the golden beach, there’s something for all the family to enjoy in this beautiful fishing town. And if you enjoy browsing local craft shops, St Ives won’t disappoint, nor will the local seafood served in the delightful restaurants scattered around the centre of St Ives.
Visitors interested in wildlife should hop aboard a boat tour from St. Ives Harbour. The trip will allow you to observe the seals that live on Seal Island. And if you want to learn how to surf in Cornwall, try a surfing lesson with St Ives Surf School on Porthmeor Beach.
Fisherman’s Square – Mousehole
Sleeps Four in Two Bedrooms – Four-Legged Friends Allowed
When it comes to sea views, Fisherman’s Square Cottage in Mousehole is in a league of its own. This unique and quirky Cornish cottage sits on the water’s edge; in fact, so close you feel you are part of the seascape in this charming Cornish village.
The interior blends vibrant paintings and furnishings with a calming coastal colour palette of blue and white. The hub of the property is the large and welcoming sitting room with comfy chairs to sink into after a long day of sightseeing.
Unbeatable views of the harbour are visible from the first-floor master bathroom, which is beautifully decorated in pastel hues. The room also has a gorgeous free-standing copper bathtub with an overhead shower and fluffy white bathrobes to lounge in after a long soak.
A shared patio within a stone’s throw from the water is to the front of the property and is a mesmerising place to watch the daily activity in the harbour.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Fisherman’s Square
In the Area
Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel) is a quintessential Cornish village with a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets home to art galleries, family-run cafes, and local craft shops.
The Ship Inn is a famous pub in the village and has a stool in it dedicated to the writer Dylan Thomas who once described Mousehole as ‘the loveliest village in England’.
Mousehole may be small compared to other villages in Cornwall, but it has many things to do, including boat trips taking guests to see the local coastline and maybe spot some of Cornwall’s wildlife. Cormorant Cruising runs out of Mousehole Harbour.
Gunvor Cottage – Coverack
Sleeps Four in Two Bedrooms – No pets
Located on Cornwall’s iconic Lizard Peninsula, the beautiful Gunvor Cottage in the sleepy fishing village of Coverack is perfectly positioned to explore this stretch of Cornwall’s coastline.
This chocolate-box thatched roof cottage is named after a ship that crashed on nearby rocks in the early 1900s. It has been tastefully decorated in a modern style with whitewashed walls, exposed brickwork and oak fittings, some from the original cottage. Soft furnishings add a splash of colour to the clean lines of Gunvor Cottage.
The two en-suite bedrooms, one a king and one a twin have sensational views across Coverack harbour and village, as does the sitting room downstairs.
Gunvor Cottage is magical in summer, with the sun streaming through the sash windows. In winter, it is a cosy hideaway to watch the ever-changing sea views in front of the wood-burning stove.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Gunvor Cottage
In the Area
Coverack is a small fishing village with a long history of smuggling and shipwrecks. Wander around the village, down the winding narrow streets and alleys and stop off for fish and chips in The Lifeboat House Restaurant, right on the water’s edge.
Coverack Cove is a watersports hub, and activities include fishing, boat trips, stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing. The famous South Coast Path can be picked up in Coverack, taking in the stunning Cornish coastal views.
Sun worshippers will love the beach and turquoise waters of Kynance Cove, one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches and a short drive from the cottage. There is a steep descent from the car park to the beach, and tide times must be checked, but it is worth the effort.
And no holiday to Cornwall would be complete without a road trip to Lizard Point; if lucky, you could spot a seal, dolphin or even a whale!
Sea Cottage – Porthleven
Sleeps Three in Two Bedrooms – No pets
Cornish cottages with sea views are highly sought after, and to stay in a property within a stone’s throw of the Atlantic is a magical experience.
At the newly-renovated Sea Cottage, the sea views can be seen from every aspect of the property, including the small shared patio at the front. Inside the cottage, the compact space has been tastefully filled with comfy furnishings in muted colours creating a relaxing space to enjoy after exploring the local area.
The double and single bedrooms in Sea Cottage are the perfect place to wake up to fabulous sea views each morning, creating the ideal start to the day.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Sea Cottage
In the Area
The harbour town of Porthleven is the UK’s most southerly fishing port and has a vivid past full of smugglers and shipwrecks. The waters outside the harbour are littered with the skeletons of ships that never made it home.
For food lovers, Porthleven is known for its superb eateries, rivalling those of Padstow and St Ives. Restaurants will suit all palates, such as Kota, giving an Asian twist to traditional Cornish dishes and Amelies highlighting freshly caught seafood. Coffee connoisseurs will love the coffee at Origin, roasted in nearby Helston, and visitors looking for local crafts and delicacies will love the Shipyard Market by the harbour.
Porthleven is also a popular holiday spot due to the nearby sweeping white sandy beach and turquoise waters of Praa Sands. Lesser-known Rinsey Cove, accessed via a cliff path, is another close beach for those looking to escape the crowds.
3 The Boat House – Helford River
Sleeps Four in Two Bedrooms – No pets
Located along the mesmerising Helford River, with its wooded creeks and sub-tropical gardens, is Number 3, The Boat House.
This second-floor two-bedroom apartment has a contemporary style with brightly coloured furnishings and an open-plan design. From the living area, unbeatable views of the River Helford make this the perfect waterside property for a great holiday in Cornwall.
The bonus of a stay at 3 The Boat House is the communal swimming pool, shared with several neighbouring properties, which is open between May and September.
Book a fabulous river view stay in Cornwall at 3 The Boat House
In the Area
For a great place to eat, The Shipwrights Arms in Helford Passage offers excellent food in a riverside setting, as does The Ferry Boat Inn.
For watersport enthusiasts, Helford River is great for paddleboarding and sailing. Rentals for all types of equipment, including self-drive boats, can be found at Helford River Boats.
Trebah Gardens in Helford is one of the most beautiful historic gardens to visit in Cornwall and has a private beach leading from the gardens down to the Helford River that visitors can use.
Harbour Strand – Falmouth
Sleeps Five in Three Bedrooms – Four-legged friends allowed
With stunning views over Falmouth Harbour, the fabulous sea view property called Harbour Strand offers a wonderful getaway to the South Coast.
Perched above Falmouth’s shops and eateries and about 15 mins walk to the beach, Harbour Strand is perfectly positioned in the heart of town.
The property has a light and airy seaside vibe, with artwork and furnishings all relating to the coast and a gentle blue and white colour palette. A fabulous sitting area positioned to view the harbour through the picture windows is one of the lovely features of Harbour Strand. Another is the record player and vinyl left by the owners for guests to enjoy a trip down memory lane.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Harbour Strand
In the Area
Falmouth is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, with plenty of things to see and do in Falmouth. Falmouth is the world’s third-largest natural harbour and was once the second-busiest port in the British Empire. Today Falmouth Harbour is a bustling working port, home to sailing and fishing boats, local ferries and Royal Navy vessels.
Numerous boat trips run from Falmouth, one of the popular ones goes to the charming village of St Mawes with its quaint cobbled streets, craft shops and majestic St Mawes castle perched on the headland. Another castle to visit is Pendennis, located in Falmouth town centre.
For beach lovers, the larger area around Falmouth is bursting with pristine sandy beaches perfect for all the family. Maenporth Beach is one of the favourites, with a sheltered cove and gently sloping beach, great for swimming and watersport activities.
Book a table at The Cove in Maenporth Beach for fine dining by the sea, owned by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines.
Little Lyonesse – Newlyn
Sleeps Two in One Bedroom – four-legged friends allowed
For a couple’s getaway to the Cornish village of Newlyn, Little Lyonesse ticks all the boxes. Compact in size but offering everything needed for a comfortable stay, this property is perfect for two.
The open-plan cabin is filled with lovingly upcycled furnishings interspersed with modern touches. A delightful small patio area with bi-fold doors and far-reaching sea views is the perfect spot to relax after exploring Cornwall’s attractions.
Little Lyonesse is perfect for all-year-round holidays to Cornwall and has underfloor heating to keep the property warm and cosy during chilly evenings.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Little Lyonesse
In the Area
Newlyn has several superb restaurants, including the Mackeral Sky Seafood Bar, which serves the freshest mackerel in Penzance and delicious crab rolls.
Along with bars and restaurants, a visit to the Newlyn Art Gallery will highlight the creative talents of local artists.
Little Lyonesse is also within walking distance of Penzance (25 minutes) and Mousehole (45 minutes), two of Cornwall’s most popular destinations.
One of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks, the awe-inspiring St Michael’s Mount, is a nearby tourist hotspot. When the tide is out, you can walk the cobbled seabed footpath from the shore to the Mount, but make sure you know the tide times, or you may have to swim back to shore!
Some of the best beaches in Cornwall are near St Michael’s Mount in Penzance, as is the UK’s largest art deco seawater lido. If a dip in the Atlantic is not for you, Jubilee Pool is the place to go.
Chy Ryn – Sennen
Sleeps Ten in Five Bedrooms – No pets
Chy Ryn is a premier sea view property in Cornwall, sleeping ten guests. It has enviable Atlantic Ocean views stretching from Sennen Cove to Cape Cornwall. The property sits proudly on the headland and offers a wonderful opportunity for larger gatherings with friends and family. Chy Ryn has access to the rocks below and the South West coastal path, which runs straight outside the door.
Inside Chy Ryn, the spacious layout allows all guests to find their particular spot. The lounge is homely and comfortable with a wood burner for those chilly Cornish evenings, the kitchen is well-equipped, and the primary bedroom has sea view picture windows and a balcony with a glass balustrade to take full advantage of the sea view.
The outside space features two patio areas with wooden garden furniture, perfect for watching the sun go down over the ocean while enjoying a chilled glass of bubbles or watching the sun rise with a steaming hot cup of tea.
Book a fabulous sea view stay in Cornwall at Chy Ryn
In the Area
From Chy Ryn, it is a pleasant walk to cafes, restaurants, the pub and the local shop in Sennen. Whitesands Bay is a beautiful beach in Sennen Cove, and surfers can take to the waters and catch some dramatic waves. A more secluded beach is Gwenyver, accessed down a steep cliffside but worth the effort.
A short drive from Sennen will take you to the most westerly point in Cornwall, where you will find one of Cornwall’s most famous attractions, Land’s End. There are many man-made activities and eateries to discover, but Land’s End’s natural side is the main attraction. With breathtaking views of the iconic Longships Lighthouse and a dramatic coastal pathway, this is what makes Land’s End one of the most photographed locations in England.
Afterwards, head to Cape Cornwall – the only ‘Cape’ in England, and spot the mine shaft chimney on the headland, a reminder of Cornwall’s tin mining history.
PIN for Future Cornwall Holidays
