South West England Beach Cottages

South West England Beach Cottages and Coastal Places to Stay

Main counties and coastal bases

Cornwall has some of the best-known beach cottage locations in the South West, with places such as St Ives, Newquay, Padstow, Fowey, Porthleven and Looe all offering different types of stay. The north coast is better known for surf beaches and open Atlantic scenery, while the south coast has more harbours, estuaries and sheltered coves. It is a good choice if you want a wide range of beach towns, fishing villages and coastal walks.

Devon gives you two different coastlines. North Devon has wide beaches and surf around Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton and Westward Ho!, while South Devon has harbour towns, estuaries and seaside bases such as Salcombe, Dartmouth, Brixham, Teignmouth and Exmouth. Dorset adds Weymouth, Swanage, Lyme Regis, Lulworth and Poole, with a mix of sandy beaches, cliffs, coves and family resorts. Somerset is more limited for beach cottages, but works well for traditional seaside breaks around Minehead, Watchet, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare.

Beaches and coastal setting

South West England has a broad mix of beaches, from exposed surf spots to sheltered family beaches. Cornwall’s north coast includes places such as Fistral, Perranporth, Polzeath and Bude, while the south coast is better for harbour beaches, coves and gentler estuary settings. If you are comparing different areas, our South West England beach guide can help narrow things down by beach type, location and facilities.

Devon offers large sandy beaches in the north, with a different feel on the south coast around coves, river mouths and resort beaches. Dorset brings some of the region’s most recognisable coastal scenery, including the Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and the sandy sweep of Weymouth Bay. Somerset’s coast is more tidal and estuary-influenced, and if you are travelling with a pet, it is worth checking out our favourite dog friendly beaches in South West England before choosing your base.

Points of interest and things to do

The South West is well suited to holidays where beach days are mixed with day trips and local exploring. Cornwall has fishing harbours, gardens, coastal paths, island views, surf schools and landmarks such as St Michael’s Mount and Tintagel. Devon adds the South West Coast Path, Dartmoor, harbour towns, boat trips, family attractions and easy access between coast and countryside.

Dorset is ideal for fossil hunting, cliff walks, coves, castles and classic seaside days around Weymouth and Swanage. Somerset gives you piers, seaside promenades, the West Somerset Railway, Exmoor access and coastal towns with a more traditional feel. This makes South West England a good region for families, couples and groups who want beaches, walks, food, history and proper days out without being tied to one type of coastal holiday.