Discover Looe cottages and more Cornish coastal stays

The enchanting town of Looe keeps visitors coming back with its wholesome beachfront and smile-inducing ice-cream stands. But in an area of England that’s surrounded by oceans and seas, you’re bound to find Cornish coastal cottages of all kinds. This guide delves into some of the best-loved harbour towns and sand-side villages to offer plenty of travel inspiration.

Looe cottages often top the bill

Pack the spades, prepare the bucket and straighten out the bathing suit – Looe is your ticket to a classic British seaside. You’ll spend days hopping between fish shops and tea-sloshing cafes, picking out tasty rock sweets in the shops and – of course – lazing on the wide sands of Looe Beach. There are a few places to look for cottages in the chart-topping town.

Cottage rentals in West Looe

The steep-sided slope where West Looe makes its home is simply perfect for seeking out Cornish cottages with sea views. They rise above each other with decks and patios that cast their gaze over the Looe River, the boat-bobbing marina and the English Channel beyond.

Looe cottages in the east

Choosing an old fishing shack or terraced bolthole in East Looe means choosing a place closer to the action. You’ll have ice-cream parlours and West Country pubs just steps from your bedroom, not to mention prime access to Looe Beach.

Head for Looe Hill with the family

A stone’s throw back from the waves, Looe Hill rises up and over the Victorian harbour town to the east. You might not get views of the ocean from here, but you will get seaside cottages surrounded by peaceful farmlands, along with the primate-swinging Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary next door.

Other places for Cornish cottages by the sea

Of course, Looe cottages aren’t the only Cornish coastal cottages going. With sea on 3 sides, this long, finger-like county has oodles of places where you can spot the swells from the kitchen window. Here are just some to consider.

Pick Carbis Bay cottages

This Blue-Flag enclave of St Ives Bay rarely disappoints travellers who want to experience Cornwall’s famous sands. Known for its azure waters, which can be seen from the window of many a Carbis Bay cottage, it’s the sort of place that could convince you you’re holidaying in the Mediterranean, not the UK.

Foodie adventures with Padstow cottages

Padstow has garnered a reputation as Cornwall’s culinary hotspot. A harbourside home in these parts puts you right next to kitchens run by legendary British seafood chef Rick Stein. But you also won’t want to miss a breezy pasty picnic on the harbourfront or a few crab sticks from the bustling fish market.

Wild waves in Bude

Set on the bends of the River Neet or Strat at the very tip of north Cornwall, Bude manages to channel a little something of the county’s Devonshire neighbour. That means long lengths of hill-backed sands, tinted with gold and washed by frothing waves.

The best Cornish coastal cottages for different travellers

Don’t go thinking that Cornish cottages with sea views are just for the outdoorsy types and beach lovers. They can also suit heritage-hungry travellers and even our 4-legged friends.

Dog-friendly Looe cottages and more

From little Looe to the cliff-ringed Trevose Head Heritage Coast, there are dog-friendly cottages all over Cornwall. They’re primed for those who simply can’t leave their pets behind when it’s time for that heard-earned break. Expect to find them with little gardens for the pooch to enjoy, extra space for doggy bowls and beds, and with good locations near regional hiking routes.

Calling surfers to Cornish cottages with sea views

Cornwall lays claim to some of the most accomplished surfing spots in the United Kingdom. A seaside cottage in a place like Newquay could be your ticket to the annual Boardmasters Festival – a blowout of wave riding and DJs that attracts the pros. Alternatively, head for Polzeath, which has surf schools waiting with foamies for complete beginners.

Culture buffs always love Cornish cottages by the sea

The wild natural coastlines of Cornwall have long inspired artists. Get your thinking cap on and seek out a cottage in St Ives to really be in the thick of it. A branch of the Tate gallery awaits with cutting-edge modern art pieces there, while the Barbara Hepworth Museum showcases the abstract monoliths and metalworks of one of England’s best-known female sculptors.