Part of a restored Victorian lighthouse, this home is one of the most unique to be found on the Cornish coast. Spend a peaceful morning watching the fishing boats coming in and out of Padstow – there are almost panoramic views of the sea from the garden. Head down to the nearby Harlyn Bay, a sheltered family beach with a wide crescent of yellow sand, rock pools and safe swimming (a lifeguard is on duty in the summer months). The Eden Project is a thirty-minute drive away, and there are plenty of bistros and cafes nearby, including Rick Stein's seafood restaurant. Evenings can be spent walking the coastal paths lit up by dramatic sunsets. And retreating indoors isn’t so bad either when you have a cosy wood-burning stove to greet you.