A charming seaside escape for up to six guests, offering coastal views, stylish comfort and a touch of romance – perfect for families, couples or friends seeking the magic of Cornwall by the sea.
Wavecrest is just 150 metres from the golden sands of Portreath Beach, with enchanting views toward the Pepperpot and Gull Rock. Inside, three beautifully appointed bedrooms and two elegant bathrooms combine with light-filled living spaces and a well-equipped kitchen to create a true home-from-home. A private courtyard and upper terrace offer the perfect spot for sun-soaked breakfasts or sunset drinks, while the beach, surf, cafés and traditional pubs of Portreath are only a few steps away, ensuring everything you need for a memorable coastal retreat is right on your doorstep.
Step through the front door into a light and airy living space, where coastal tones and soft furnishings immediately create a sense of calm. Large windows allow natural light to pour in, while plush sofas and a cosy armchair make it the perfect spot to curl up with a book, gather for family games, or simply watch the changing sky over the village rooftops. Nautical touches and carefully chosen décor add to the cottage’s seaside charm.
The kitchen blends modern functionality with a homely feel. Fully equipped with everything you need – from oven and hob to dishwasher, coffee machine and plenty of workspace – it makes preparing meals a pleasure. The adjoining dining table seats six comfortably, ideal for relaxed breakfasts before the beach, leisurely evening suppers, or celebratory family feasts.
Three beautifully styled bedrooms ensure comfort for all. Two spacious doubles are dressed in crisp linens and calming coastal hues, with thoughtful touches like bedside lamps and ample storage. A third, slightly smaller double is perfect for younger guests or solo travellers, offering the same snug charm and restful design. Each room has been created with relaxation in mind, offering quiet retreats at the end of a day by the sea.
Two bathrooms make group stays easy and indulgent. The family bathroom features a deep bath for long soaks, while the master en-suite offers a modern walk-in shower. Soft towels and contemporary fittings complete the sense of boutique comfort.
Step outside to a private rear courtyard, fully enclosed and sheltered, where you can enjoy morning coffee, lazy afternoon lunches or sundowners as the light fades. Head up two flights of stairs to make the most of the views that stretch across Portreath Beach to Gull Rock and the Pepperpot, reminding you just how close you are to the sea. Whether it’s al fresco dining, quiet moments of reflection, or watching children play in the fresh air, this outdoor space is a natural extension of the cottage’s welcoming interiors.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
