Driftwood Loft, Porthleven

Cornwall. Sleeps up to 4

With its chic loft space enjoying the most captivating ocean views, Driftwood Loft makes an impressive holiday home on Cornwall’s southern coast. Located in Porthleven – an easy drive from the likes of Helston, Penzance and Praa Sands – this charming retreat can accommodate up to four people.

Set over two floors, Driftwood Loft looks out over Porthleven Beach and has its own private, outdoor space with a table and chairs and seating area, where you can enjoy a barbecue or evening drinks.

The superb interiors combine style and comfort, with a spacious living area offering sofa seating by the fireplace (complete with wood burner) and a TV with satellite channels. You also have an adjacent dining space. On the same floor, the kitchen is equipped with a top-notch appliances including a coffee maker, dishwasher and washing machine, as well as a fridge, freezer and a range cooker.

Stairs lead you up to the second floor where you have the real highlight – the loft space has been converted into another gorgeous living area which enjoys amazing sea views through its large, apex windows. You will really be able to chill out in this space which comes equipped with a Smart TV with Netflix, a library of books and comfy sofa and armchair seating.

Two bedrooms offer a super king-size bed and a double respectively, sharing an elegant bathroom with a free-standing bath and large shower. Beautiful wooden furnishings and lots of natural light give these rooms a restful feel.

Pretty Porthleven offers a number of good pubs and restaurants in the area around its centrepiece harbour. Porthleven Beach has three miles of sand and shingle and is a popular surfing spot, while just along the coast you have beautiful Praa Sands and the rugged Rinsey Cove.

Also nearby, there is the Flambards Theme Park just outside Helston, and it won’t take you too long to reach Cornwall’s westernmost point, with the likes of Penzance, Mousehole and Porthcurno to enjoy along the way.

A gem of a location on Cornwall’s southern coast, Porthleven keeps most of the county’s top sights and attractions within reach. The jewels of the west like St Ives, Penzance and St Michael’s Mount are within a 30-minute drive, and you can head to Newquay and St Austell in about one hour, with the glorious Eden Project not much further.

The village itself is centred on a pretty harbour and has developed a profile as a notable food destination in recent years. The annual Porthleven Food Festival is a highlight, with street food stalls, live music and entertainment. You will also find a number of pubs, restaurants and food stalls in the area around the harbour.

To get the most from your stay in Cornwall, be sure to head out in all directions. There’s plenty to see locally, with the beautiful woodlands and lakes of Penrose just outside Porthleven being ideal for walking.

The town of Helston is around a 10-minute drive away, with the famous Flambards Theme Park situated just outside. As well as fun rides in the outdoor play park, there’s a Victorian village to explore. Also a short distance from the town, there’s a small heritage railway which offers steam train rides during the summer.

Perhaps West Cornwall’s two best-known landmarks, The Lizard and Land’s End are both within reach. The Lizard is just over 20 minutes’ drive down the coast, and marks the most southerly point on the UK mainland. It should take around 40-50 minutes to reach Land’s End, further west. There are places to eat, a model village and other attractions nearby, while England’s actual westernmost point is found a short distance to the north.

The Penwith Heritage Coast offers other scenic locations such as Sennen Cove and Porthcurno, where you will find the open-air Minack Theatre – their productions enjoy the most spectacular backdrop. Also in Porthcurno, there’s the intriguing PK Museum of Global Communications – a world of wartime tunnels, codebreaking and such.

On the northern coast, you can reach St Ives, home of the Tate Gallery, Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and idyllic beaches like Porthminster and Porthmeor, in around 30 minutes. Another spectacular beach, Praa Sands, lies just 10 minutes from Porthleven, in the direction of Marazion and the landmark, St Michael’s Mount. Carry on to Penzance for swimming in the geothermal Jubilee Pool, and contemporary art at The Exchange and the Newlyn Art Gallery.

If you’re willing to go a bit further afield, go east to experience the horticultural delights of the Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan, or head to the north coast for scenic Padstow, Port Isaac, Tintagel Castle and more.