Perfect for families or groups seeking a luxurious coastal retreat, this contemporary home offers an idyllic blend of beachside living, sweeping sea views and elegant interiors.
Watergate Nook is a luxury beach house located in the tranquil coastal resort of Newquay, just a stone’s throw from Watergate Bay. With stunning sea views, spacious interiors and modern comforts, this exquisite retreat is perfect for families or groups looking for a Cornish escape by the sea. Follow the garden gate and you’ll find yourself on the iconic South West Coast Path, leading you directly to the golden sands below. Whether you’re exploring the dramatic cliff-top trails or simply sitting back to watch the tide roll in, this property offers a blend of beachside living and luxurious comfort.
Incorporating a clever upside-down layout to maximise the views, the first floor, open-plan living area is a contemporary haven with uninterrupted views across the ocean. The interiors are elegantly styled, balancing a modern coastal aesthetic with warm, homely touches. At the heart of the lounge, a wood-burning stove invites you to unwind after beach walks or evenings spent stargazing. Flowing seamlessly from the lounge, the dining space offers the perfect setting for mealtimes, whether you’re indulging in fresh local seafood or sipping the finest of wines. The adjoining kitchen is a minimalist masterpiece, fully equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, including a generous fridge-freezer, induction hob, oven, microwave and dishwasher.
The four bedrooms have been individually designed to offer both comfort and serenity, with soft linens, natural textures, and thoughtful details throughout. The master bedroom is located on the first floor and boasts a sumptuous super king-size bed, sweeping sea views and a stylish en-suite featuring a walk-in shower. On the ground floor, there are three further bedrooms, including two double en-suite bedrooms and a twin en-suite bedroom. This floor is complete with a snug with a large, l-shaped sofa and a Smart TV with Sky. All super-king size beds can be changed to twin beds on request.
Beyond the interiors, the outdoor spaces are equally enchanting, complete with a hot tub and sauna. Additionally, a spacious, sea-facing terrace is the ideal stage for sun-drenched breakfasts or relaxed evening barbecues, with stylish furnishings and panoramic views over the ocean.
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.
