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We are absolutely thrilled to have won Best UK Self-catering business in the Angels and Urchins 2019 Family Travel Awards, for the second year in a row.

So, to celebrate, here are our top five family-friendly beach properties for fuss-free holidays with the little ones.

For big families

Seamist, Watergate Bay

This big, beautiful house is exceptional in every way. With an extraordinary sense of space and light, outstanding design and located in a quiet, secluded location, Seamist is perfect for those wanting to holiday with three or even four generations. Seamist sleeps up to sixteen guests in eight rooms (not forgetting your furry friends too).

Watergate Bay is just a short drive away, as well as the family-friendly Mawgan Porth, Porth beach and Padstow. When you’re not enjoying a family surf lesson or building sandcastles, Seamist has a large fully enclosed garden with a generous decking space, complete with plenty of furniture perfect for your family barbecue.

Book your self-catering stay at Seamist.

For rockpooling

Chi an Mor and Chi an Treth, Widemouth Bay

With just 50 metres between you and the sea, you’ll love our Chi an Mor and Chi an Treth holiday homes. Discover coastal walks, inspiring sea views and rockpools galore on your doorstep at Widemouth Bay.

On the south side of Widemouth Bay, Black Rock beach has wild beauty in abundance. Fly a kite at low tide, climb the sand dunes and grab a bite to eat at Bude’s Widemouth Manor Pub.

Book your self-catering stay at Chi an Mor or Chi an Treth.

For easy Beach access

Coast, Porth

So close to the sea, that you can smell the salty air, our Coast apartments allow you to jump from bed to board for a fun day at the beach. Enjoy a game of rounders on the sand, tuck into a delicious Cornish BBQ and head to the family-friendly Mermaid Inn just metres away. Coast is perfectly located between Watergate Bay and Newquay, sleeping up to six guests in 2 Coast and eight guests at The Penthouse at Coast.

Book your self-catering stay at 2 Coast or The Penthouse at Coast.

For a great garden

Dragon House, Mawgan Porth

Relax on the terrace looking out over the rolling hills, play bat and ball on the large lawn and enjoy a family BBQ as the sun sets. Dragon House sleeps ten guests, in four beautiful rooms and is just 300 metres from the popular Mawgan Porth beach.

If you want to venture away from your private garden, Watergate Bay and Newquay are all within a few miles drive to the west, with Padstow and the beaches at Pothcothan, Harlyn Bay and Trevone to the east. When you return, hop back into the garden to rinse off the sand from your boards in the outdoor heated shower.

Book your self-catering stay at Dragon House.

For sand dunes and space

Windrush, Holywell Bay

There’s nothing quite like standing at the top of a golden sand dune and running (or rolling) down it as fast as you can. Our interior designed Windrush holiday home, is just 500 metres from Holywell Bay, sleeping eight guests and one four-legged friend.

Whilst here, book a family surf lesson with Cornwall Surf Academy, walk the coast path to Crantock beach or have some fun up the road at Holywell Bay Fun Park.

Book your self-catering stay at Windrush.

Book your self-catering stay with Beach Retreats.

See the full list of Angels and Urchins award winners.

Put a spring in your step with a last minute stay at one of these Beach Retreats…

Crowdless beaches, lighter evenings and the start of alfresco dining season, are just a few reasons you should visit Cornwall in Spring. Combine the above with a luxury bolthole by the sea and you’ll have memories to last a lifetime.

Alpha, Whitsand Bay, sleeps 4

With three miles of golden sand and never ending views over the horizon, Whitsand Bay is our go to place for relaxation on the Rame Peninsula, also known as Cornwall’s forgotten corner. Discover Polhawn Cove, Sharrow beach or visit neighbouring villages untouched by time, Cawsand and Kingsand.

Where to dine: The View – a modern and vibrant family restaurant with breath-taking sea views and delicious hot chocolates (extra marshmallows of course).

Alpha is a beautiful two-bedroom cabin perched on Freathy cliff above Whitsand Bay. Walk 200 metres from your front door and you’ll often find you have the beach to yourselves. Please note the footpath down the cliff to the beach is steep and not suitable for wheelchairs and people with limited mobility.

Enjoy a feast of local produce on your private decking area, as you watch the world go by below you.

Book your stay at Alpha before the Easter Holidays and receive two free nights when you book a 3 or 5 night stay. This offer can only be booked by telephone and excludes school holidays.

The Penthouse at Coast, Porth, sleeps 8

Porth beach is one of Cornwall’s most family-friendly beaches. It’s shallow stream runs through the middle of the soft sanded beach making it perfect for paddling and playing. Jump on the South West Coast Path either side and you’ll find fabulous walks leading you to Watergate Bay and several of the Newquay bays.

Where to dine: Head to the pub on the beach – The Mermaid. Enjoy local ales, hot food and a beer garden that meets the sand.

You can’t get much closer to the beach than this. Take a front row seat and watch passers by at Porth beach, or sip on something fizzy as you catch one of the famous Cornwall sunsets that drop behind the horizon. Newly interior designed with a fresh and contemporary look, the penthouse offers a large open plan living, dining and kitchen area, four bedrooms and a large balcony for those all important sundowners.

Book your stay at The Penthouse at Coast before the Easter holidays and receive two free nights when you book a 3 or 5 night stay. This offer can only be booked by telephone and excludes school holidays.

Bethany, Mousehole, sleeps 4

Yellow lichened houses huddled around a pretty harbour with boats bobbing in the sunshine…need we say anymore? Mousehole is one of Cornwall’s more pictureque fishing villages and is widely popular all year round. Head to its fantastic mix of galleries, quirky shops, cafes, pub and restaurants.

If you want to explore further afield, St Ives, Penzance and the Instagram famous Porthcurno beach are just a few miles away.

Where to dine: Recharge and refuel at The Ship Inn, with its oak beams, open fires and warm welcome from the locals.

Accommodating four guests, Bethany is a luxurious Grade II former fishermen’s cottage located just a minute’s walk from the beach. Maintaining its original Cornish charm, with a contemporary twist the property boasts a striking stone feature wall, beamed ceilings, exposed granite walls and original tiled flooring.

Enjoy afternoon tea outside on the patio, which also makes the perfect sun trap in the warmer months.

Book your stay at Bethany Cottage before the Easter Holidays and receive two free nights when you book a 3 or 5 night stay. This offer can only be booked by telephone and excludes school holidays.

Lowen, Mawgan Porth, sleeps 5

Located at the bottom of beautiful rugged cliffs, Mawgan Porth is a west facing beach and dog-friendly all year round. Search for wildlife in the many rockpools, take in the awe-inspiring views along the coast path to Watergate Bay and indulge in an afternoon tipple on the terrace of Catch Seafood Bar and Grill.

Where to dine: We highly recommend a stop off at Scott & Babs at Retorrick Mill just a short walk away. All of their tasty rustic food is either cooked over an open fire, spit roasted or placed in smoker barrels.

Overlooing Mawgan Porth beach is a brand new developement where you’ll find the lovely Lowen. Sleeping up to 5 guests just 200 metres from the beach, guests can enjoy fantastic sea views from the balcony while you wind down after a fun-filled day on the beach.

The two bedroom coastal house is interior designed throughout and has a spacious open plan living area, perfect for keeping the family together.

Book your stay at Lowen before the Easter Holidays and receive two free nights when you book a 3 or 5 night stay. This offer can only be booked by telephone and excludes school holidays.

Samphire Cottage, Widemouth Bay, sleeps 4

Popular with families and surfers, Widemouth Bay is just 3 miles from Bude on Cornwall’s rugged north coast, once voted as the most sunniest destination in the UK. With its great surfing conditions, you’ll find top surfing schools nearby including Freewave Surf Academy and Raven Surf School. Will you embrace the elements and dive straight in?

Where to dine: Enjoy crayfish nachos, fowey mussels and taste over 30 gins at The Bay View Inn.

Spring is the perfect time to holiday at Samphire Cottage, a poperty full of Cornish charm and surrounded by lush green countyside and vibrant wild flowers. Sit with a book on a sunny afternoon or if you’re feeling energetic, take the 35-minute walk to Milbrook beach, through country lanes and pretty fields.

Inside this beautiful cottage you’ll find a log burner for cosy nights in, a roll top bath, original beamed ceilings and a luxury country style kitchen. There are two bedrooms on the first floor.

Book your stay at Samphire Cottage before the Easter Holidays and receive two free nights when you book a 3 or 5 night stay. This offer can only be booked by telephone and excludes school holidays.

View all of our Beach Retreats.

Sizzling steaks and succulent seafood washed down with mouth-watering cocktails .

Polzeath is home to a fantastic selection of restaurants that offer delicious food, local ales and wines and most importantly, breath-taking ocean views. But which ones should you head to first? We’ll tell you…

Join in the conversation and tell us your  favourite spots on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, Polzeath

Using only the best local quality ingredients the extensive menu serves delicious seafood, burgers, sandwiches snacks and more. If you enjoy a cocktail or two, then you’ll love their very own herb garden, perfectly created for their brilliant cocktail menu. Guests have the option of sitting both inside or outside on the top terrace or decking, both with lovely sea views. Watch the world go by at the Waterfront Restaurant in Polzeath.

See the menu.

The Cracking Crab, Polzeath

With a name like The Cracking Crab, you can guess what they do here. This is certainly one for the seafood lovers. Order Fruits De Mer by the bucket load, taste the roasted hake with crispy pancetta or if that doesn’t tickle your taste buds give the monkfish wrapped in smokey bacon a go. Wash it down with a cold local ale and take in the awe-inspiring views over Polzeath beach and ocean.

See the menu.

Surfside, Polzeath

Watch the sun go down and listen to a live band from Surfside cafe, positioned directly on Polzeath beach. This cool hangout is a go to foodie spot for the local surfers, especially when the sun comes out and the staff pull out a last minute sizzling BBQ on the terrace. The generous menu includes Rock Oysters, Padstow crab linguine and Porthilly mussels. Open for lunch and dinner from Easter – November.

See the menu.

TJ’s Cafe, Polzeath

If you’re looking for somewhere family friendly then we have found you the perfect place. TJ’s is a family run cafe and surf shop on the beach, offering a breakfast and lunch menu for both adults and kids. Wake up to a full Cornish cooked breakfast, grab a warm panini when you jump out the surf, or let you kids pick their favourite topping on a juicy TJ’s pizza. Dine Alfresco on a warm sunny day or sit back and relax inside while you watch the world pass by.

See the menu.

Book your foodie break to Polzeath with Beach Retreats.

Celebrate Christmas in style with a chic property by the beach.

We have hand-picked five beautiful properties with all the trimmings, so you can enjoy the festive period with family and friends.

Mawgan, Watergate Bay
Sleeps 6 now with 15% off.

Wake up Christmas Day to the sound of lapping waves at Watergate Bay. Mawgan is a beautiful eco lodge located within The Village development, just 250 metres from the beach.

Mawgan has glorious views across the bay and out to sea and has been designed in reverse accommodation style – the living area is on the first floor to fully exploit the dramatic sea views. On Christmas morning, enjoy a bracing walk on the beach, or walk the South West Coast Path for awe-inspiring cliff top views.

So what are you waiting for? Curl up on the sofa and watch the sun go down, walk your Christmas dinner off on the beach and enjoy a well deserved break with friends and family.

Escape this Christmas to Mawgan in Watergate Bay.

Ferrypoint, Rock
Sleeps 6 now with 15% off plus a Cornish Christmas hamper on arrival courtesy of Rock Hampers.

Spend Christmas at Ferrypoint, a beautiful beachside house with stunning panoramic views over the Camel Estuary and Padstow. The beach is just 40 metres away and can be seen from all three bedrooms.

Enjoy a Christmas breakfast while you watch the world go by, unwrap presents in the spacious living room and enjoy a coastal walk to neighbouring beaches Daymer Bay and Polzeath.

With Padstow harbour just across the estuary, why not enjoy a visit to the twinkling lights that light up the town? Catch a water taxi or ferry from outside Ferrypoint and you’ll soon be sipping on mulled wine and eating delicious festive food at one of our favourite Padstow restaurants.

Book your Christmas bolthole at Ferrypoint in Rock.

Strand Line, Porthcothan
Sleeps 4.

This stunning cabin boasts beautiful coastal interiors, fuses wit a rustic and contemporary twist. Dine under the stars on a clear night, curl up in front of the log fire, or head to Rick Stein’s pub ‘The Cornishman’, just 1 mile down the road. The perfect retreat for couples this Christmas.

Tuck yourself into the sumptuous super king-size bed with 400 thread count sheets in the master bedroom. The master bedroom consists of two bedside tables with lamps, wardrobe and chest of drawers.

Book your family Christmas in Strand Line.

25 Dunes, Perranporth
Sleeps 4

Add to the magic of Christmas and celebrate with family on Perranporth beach in north Cornwall. 25 Dunes has magnificent sea views and is just a 10 metre short walk to the golden sand.

Wake up Christmas morning and hear the waves lapping gently against the rocks. Wander downstairs and gather the family around the fire while you open presents and exchange Christmas wishes before you venture out and explore the waterfront.

Book your Cornwall Christmas break.

The Tower, Praa Sands
Sleeps 8 now with 15% off

Give your family the gift of luxury this Christmas with a stay at The Tower. This beautiful property is a large duplex apartment, occupying the top two floors of Acton Castle with a stunning roof terrace dating back to the 18th century. Views consist of the immaculate communal gardens, Mounts Bay and the famous St Michael’s Mount in Marazion, the perfect home from home for your Christmas celebrations.

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by secluded, rocky coves, Acton Castle stands proud on the cliffs over Mount’s Bay. Wake up Christmas morning and watch the waves roll in from the comfort of your sofa, or walk to the beach down a private path.

Book your Christmas break in The Tower.

Whatever kind of Christmas you are hoping for, Beach Retreats have a fantastic selection of cosy cottages and large houses all under 1 mile from the beach.

Book your Christmas break in Cornwall.

 

Hear how Lowenna from Beach Retreats got on during her stay at Far Horizon in Seaton, Cornwall.

Seaton in Cornwall is a dark sanded beach, perfectly located 5 miles from lovely Looe and 5 miles from the popular Whitsand Bay. The large beach stretches out at low tide for guests to enjoy walks up and down the south east coast. Surrounding the beach is a handful of delicious restaurants and beachside bars waiting to serve you your afternoon tipple. My favourite thing about this beach…Far Horizon standing proud in its elevated position and its superb views.

Now currently offering 20% off remaining 7 night breaks in July and August.

Built for an old sea captain because of its elevated position and outstanding ocean views, Far Horizon sleeps up to eight guests in a bright and spacious beach house, wonderfully situated within two acres of sub-tropical gardens. When we arrived at the property, we were quick to drop our bags and run to the front of the house where we were greeted with 180-degree uninterrupted sea views. Spoilt for choice from the different locations in the house, guests have the choice of views over Seaton Beach, Downderry Beach, Looe Island or where its name came from, straight out over the Cornish horizon.

Of course the best views were from the large hot tub safely positioned on the edge of the cliff.

 

 

The house itself had everything we needed and more. There were several living spaces for us to choose from, from the back study where one or two of us relaxed whilst watching the World Cup, the main living room with its oversized sofas and log fire, and our favourite – the large sun room with ceiling to floor windows and a door leading us out to the terrace and garden.

We spent most of our first night on the terrace whilst enjoying a Cornish BBQ, relaxing in the hot tub and listening to music on the SONOS Bluetooth speaker. After the sun set bedtime came earlier, ready for a day of exploring. The four large bedrooms were all unique with something different and exciting to offer. The Master bedroom boasts a free standing slipper bath as well as the second bedroom with its super-king size bed and the third bedroom had private access to a large wrap around balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We quickly said our goodnights and listened to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore.

 

Out and about

After digging into a Cornish fry up in the large separate dining room, we put the lead on Obi (our cute Beagle dog) and headed to our nearest beach, Seaton. This fantastic beach is dog-friendly all year round making it a fantastic holiday destination for those that don’t want to leave their fury friends behind. Head to Seaton Beach Cafe for your morning coffee and watch the surfers ride the waves.

As the weather began to turn, we quickly set off to Whitsand Bay, a 15 minute drive up the road. Known as south east Cornwall’s ‘forgotten corner’, this silky stretch of sand is made up of four more beaches at low tide. Visit Tregantle, Sharrow Point, Freathy and Tregonhawke, all backed by sheer cliffs.

 

Food and drink

There is a great choice of places to eat and drink within walking distance of Far Horizon. We booked a delicious lunch at the Blue Plate, located down the road in Downderry. When we walked into the restaurant, there is a cute area for those looking for a quick bite to eat. We drooled as we strolled past the fresh homemade pasties, cakes and meringues.

After starting the meal off with some greatly shaken cocktails, I tucked into a baked Cornish brie and bowl of Cornish mussels. The service, food and drinks were enjoyable, making this a restaurant we highly recommend.

Other hot foodie spots to try are ‘Summink Different’ vegetarian cafe, ‘Waves Restaurant’ located below Far Horizon and the Smugglers Inn, where we stopped off for a drink with the locals on Saturday night.

 

Highlights

The views: The everchanging views are incredible. I would love to watch a storm on Seaton beach in the winter!

The hot tub: There really is nothing better than relaxing in a hot tub and listening to the sound of the ocean.

The location: The house is ideally located between Looe and Whitsand, giving us plenty of places to explore. Great range of restaurants and bars and things to do on our doorstep too.

Offers: Now offering 20% off throughout July and August.

 

 Book your holiday at Far Horizon with Beach Retreats.

At Beach Retreats we aim to set the record of most Cornish beaches visited in one day, while fundraising for the South West Coast Path.

The challenge will take place on the 21st June – the summer solstice and longest day, and will mark the beginning of our partnership with the South West Coast Path Association.

With more than 400 miles of Cornish coastline and over 300 beaches in Cornwall, we aim to be the first to visit a minimum of 40 of these beaches to raise money for the South West Coast Path’s “40for40” campaign – a bid to raise £40,000 by the end of October 2018 to celebrate its 40 year anniversary. We aim to raise a total of £5,000 and will be sponsoring the charity £2,500, asking for donations to match this amount via Virgin giving.

With 161 holiday properties located all along the coast, we want to do our bit to support the charity, which sees nearly nine million visitors enjoy the Path and the many beautiful beaches it overlooks each year. We know the coast path and the beautiful Cornish beaches are cherished by our guests and residents of Cornwall. Not only do we want to celebrate the amazing beaches and the breathtaking walks right on our properties’ doorsteps – we also want to ensure we’re raising awareness and supporting the maintenance of these areas, so they can continue to be enjoyed for many, many more years to come.

The £5,000 target raised by Beach Retreats could go towards the funding of 500 new wooden steps to provide safe access to hidden coves and along cliffs, or it could fund 10 educational activity days on the Path for youth groups.

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight – ideal for maximizing time spent at the beach! The team at Beach Retreats will begin at the crack of dawn at 5:00am in Cawsand overlooking Plymouth Sound, attempting to travel the entire length of the south to Sennen Cove then up the north coast. Can we make it to Bude by sunset at around 9:30pm?

Julian Gray, director of the South West Coast Path Association, commented: “We’re thrilled that Beach Retreats have chosen the South West Coast Path as the beneficiary for this brilliant day of solstice fundraising. I can’t think of a better way to showcase the stunning Cornish coastline than setting the record for the most beaches visited on the longest day of the year. Funds raised will support our vital conservation and improvement work along the National Trail, ensuring access to the much-loved beaches celebrated today. We wish them the best of luck and will be following their journey on social media!”

The epic journey will see our team stop and visit at as many beaches as possible, including Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, Porthcurno near Land’s End, Fistral Beach and Widemouth Bay near Bude. And while time will be of the essence, Beach Retreats will be documenting each beach visit on their social media channels, posting images of each beach using the #JoinUsOnTheBeach hashtag, as well as stopping by the best beach cafes for well-needed refreshments.

 

How to get involved

To help us reach our target of £5,000, please donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BeachRetreats; follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook and help raise awareness by sharing your pictures of your favourite Cornish beaches using the hashtag #joinusatthebeach.

Staying in and around Watergate Bay? Swim & Dine combines two of the best things at the Bay; the hotel’s Swim Club facilities and dinner at Zacry’s. Here’s all you need to know about this special offer.

The offer

Book a later table at Zacry’s, Watergate Bay Hotel’s new restaurant which combines big brassy American-inspired flavours with fresh local produce, and spend some quality time in the Hotel’s Swim Club beforehand. From £36.50 per person for a three-course meal in Zacry’s.

Swim Club facilities

– Below the hubbub of Watergate Bay Hotel is Swim Club, a secluded area designed for being active and kicking back and relaxing:
– 25m sea-view infinity swimming pool
– Outdoor Canadian hot tub
– Café-bar
– Cardio room with Concept2 rowing machine, SkiERG, matrix hybrid cross trainers, running machines and fitness bikes
– Treatment rooms, plus a manicure and pedicure room. Treatments can also be booked up until 7pm, take a look at the treatment list.
– Stylish interior-designed spaces to find your own space to chill out

Zacry’s

Zacry’s style combines a classic brasserie with Cornish local produce. Executive chef Neil Haydock also draws on international influences, particularly his passion for contemporary American cuisine. There’s Fiorentina steak cooked on the indoor charcoal oven, grilled plaice on the bone and spiced venison.

How to get the Swim and Dine offer

Book your later at Zacry’s from 8pm onwards quoting Swim and Dine. You’ll then be able to visit Swim Club from 6pm on the day of dining. Treatments can also be booked up until 7pm, take a look at the treatment list. Swim and Dine costs from £36.50 per person for a three-course meal in Zacry’s.

Read more online or to book your table at Zacry’s please contact Watergate Bay Hotel’s reservations team on 01637 861231.

Beach Retreats heads to the annual Great Cornish Food Festival to sample its delicious delights.

Food, food and you guessed it, more food! Who wouldn’t love the Great Cornish Food Festival? Now on its 9th year, the festival is bigger and better than ever. Opening the show, was one of our favourite celebrity chefs, Nathan Outlaw.

Recently voted Best UK Restaurant by the Good Food Guide, you can imagine how excited we were to watch him cook and prepare a fish dish right in front of us. Below Nathan is preparing his mackerel salad.

Throughout the demo, Nathan gives the audience quick tips and tricks including how to make his garlic salad dressing. Don’t worry, if you weren’t there, here it is: (ingredients are free poured depending how much is needed)

4 parts olive oil
1 part red wine vinegar
Half a garlic clove
Handful of finely chopped parsley

After the demo it was time to check out the rest of the market.

With over 70 food and drink exhibitors, selling everything from pasties to peanut butter, from land and sea, and all produced in Cornwall, here are a few of our favourites, starting with the local bread makers.

One of our favourite stalls of the day had to be the Curds & Croust stand, tasting the new award-winning Miss Wenna Cornish Brie.

Cornish Sea Salt made an appearance, harvested fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, just 8 metres from its Salt House on the Lizard.

Ice cream, ice cream we all scream for ice cream…literally. With fantastic new flavours including candy floss, gingerbread, eton mess and cherry pie, we couldn’t resist a little taster.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Sisley’s & Crellow stand is the one for you. Locally made jams and chutneys in all kinds of flavours (psst strawberry was the best).

You may recognise the name of this next one from our previous blog ’24 hours in Port Isaac with the Nathan Outlaw experience’. Cornish Jack Cheese is favoured by Nathan Outlaw and used in most of his restaurants. And we can see/taste why.

And with so much food, we are in need of something Cornish and delicious to wash it down with. We loved the homemade pink lemonade from this quirky stand.

One for the Cider lovers…Cornish Orchards. Locally enthused at Westnorth Manor Farm near Liskeard.

Last but by no means least the award-winning Tarquins Gin. Tarquins won the title of Best Gin Worldwide at the San Fransico International Wine and Spirits competition in 2016. Now they have more exciting flavours and are stocked internationally.

The Great Cornish Food Festival is running 7-10 September 2017. Get yourself down there this weekend at Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall.

Book your Beach Retreats self-catering holiday now.