Come for the view! All you spy is sea and sand. Perched jauntily on the coastal path, this villa is minutes from sandy Porthminster Beach; and just round the corner is cool, arty St Ives. As its name implies, this is a bright and breezy place and there are no surprises inside: neutral tones, pale wood, carefully placed objects, lots of light flooding in through big windows, a kitchen with all you need. Owners Dawn and David live next door and leave you a bottle of local cider, Cornish biscuits and all the basics – including olive oil and coffee. Every morning, peep through the porthole to check on the weather and settle at the chunky wooden table for a lazy brunch while planning your day. Pack a picnic and head for the beach, take a scenic train ride to St Erth, watch seals off Mutton Cove. Dawn knows the area well and does guided walking tours around St Ives three times a week. If the sun fails to shine there are games and DVDs; when the sea is too cold, you can take to the warmer waters of the indoor swimming pool beside the owners’ house. A good family retreat with so much on the doorstep that the car may be left looking at the view!
