Cornwall is undoubtably the jewel of our British south coast. Soft sandy beaches, aquamarine coves, quaint holiday cottages, water-sports and a microclimate blowing in from the Mediterranean; what’s not to love? Despite it’s booming popularity in recent years, I think it’ still the ultimate place to go in the UK for a family friendly beach holiday.
Cornwall is an incredibly family-friendly place, but knowing where to base yourself can feel like an overwhelming decision for parents in planning mode. Luckily I have done the shortlisting for you and narrowed it down to 3 locations for you. Read on for my location guide and recommendations for family friendly cottages in Cornwall.
This blog post has been sponsored by Cornwall travel experts Aspects Holidays. All words are my own.
Top 3 Places for a Family Friendly Cottage Holiday in Cornwall
Perranporth
Perranporth is a firm family favourite in Cornwall, primarily for its spectacular sandy surf beach which stretches for over 3 miles at low tide. The beach is great for watersports and even has its own bar, The Watering Hole, where parents could enjoy a stress-free sundowner whilst the kids play safely on the beach. How blissful does that sound? The Watering Hole also has its own surf school.
Perranporth is also conveniently located on the South West Coast Path out to St Agnes, meaning families have easy access to stunning heather-topped coastal walks that can be as long or short as you like. There’s also a great selection of places to eat including restaurants, cafes and takeaways (for the nights tired parents don’t feel like cooking). Fish and chips, Cornish pasties and cream teas are all on hand in Perranporth.
Where to stay in Perranporth.
If you’re looking for a family friendly self-catering cottage in Perranporth, check out The Rosery. It sleeps 6, has on site parking, an enclosed garden, a wood burner and is even dog friendly too. As well as being family friendly, parents will love its extremely light and stylish decors as well as the roll top bath. In the garden there is a Wendy house and a hammock for kids to enjoy and the 17th century Bolingey Inn is just a 5 minute walk away.
Photo credit: Aspects Holidays
Newquay
Newquay is an award-winning family friendly beach resort and has recently been named ‘Best Family Holiday Destination’ by readers of COAST magazine. It also won the gold award for ‘Best Seaside Towns for Families’ by Days Out With Kids.
With all these accolades, there’s no denying that Newquay is a haven for families. Firstly, there’s Newquay’s iconic Fistral Beach; one finest surf beaches in the UK and arguably the whole of Europe. Dramatically framed by two rocky headlands, Fistral offers families surf schools, equipment for hire, seafront facilities, car parking, showers and toilets. Don’t miss Rick Stein’s Fistral Restaurant and takeway which is right on the beach.
Beyond Fistral there are plenty more beaches to discover (be sure to check out Lusty Glaze), a bustling town with shops, bars and restaurants, as well as a peaceful harbour with turquoise water and bobbing boats. For kids there’s also Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium.
Where to stay in Newquay
Newquay has an abundance of options for your family friendly cottage holiday but we love Spring Cottage . Beyond its beautiful aesthetic and interiors it sleeps 6, has an enclosed garden with stylish outdoor seating area, a woodburner, on site parking, bunkbeds and is dog friendly. It’s located in the Newquay village of Crantock and is only yards away from a golden sandy beach. This is our top pick!
Photo credit: Aspects Holidays
If you need a larger property sleeping up to 8, we recommend Deer Park. This larger, characterful property dates back to the 18th century and is in the heart of Newquay town. The property is also dog friendly and has an outdoor BBQ and seating for up to 8 people, however it does not offer onsite parking so is better suited for those visiting without a car.
Photo credit: Aspects Holidays
St Ives
Our third and final location pick for family-friendly holidays in Cornwall is the quaint coastal town of St Ives. Oozing with independent shops, restaurants and art galleries, it is a place that attracts creatives and families alike. There are endless beaches to choose from and our top 3 for families are; Porthgwidden, Porthminster and Porthmeor. Kids will also love taking a boat trip from St Ives Harbour out to seal island, sea glass collecting on the beach and visiting the Tate St Ives art gallery.
Where to stay in St Ives
For smaller groups and families of up to 5, we recommend Out of The Blue. Located in the heart of St Ives town, this cosy and characterful cottage has gorgeous interiors, dual aspect sea views from the top floor and a parking space (located 7 minutes from the property). It’s worth nothing that this property is spread over 3 floors.
Photo credit: Aspects Holidays
Alternatively in St Ives, there’s also Parc Cottage which sleeps 6, boasts sea views, has a balcony, parking and even an EV charge point. It’s dog friendly and modern in style with an open plan kitchen, living and dining space. Kids will love the bunkbeds and breakfast on the balcony, overlooking the famous St Ives Harbour.
Photo credit: Aspects Holidays
Aspects Holidays have a fantastic range of properties for your next family friendly cottage holiday in Cornwall and offer expert travel knowledge in the region. Get organised and book your 2024 Cornwall holiday with Aspects Holidays for just £40. Find out more.
What did you think of this Cornwall family friendly destination guide? If you found this article helpful, be sure to share it and leave a community comment below.
Read more Cornwall posts here.