Whether you’re looking for a cosy cottage just for you and your stack of books or are looking for somewhere all your bookish friends can gather, we’ve got just the collection for you. Backdropped by gorgeous Cornish views from country to sea, our welcoming readaways in Cornwall offer everything from warming woodburners and bubbling hot tubs to pillowy lawns and, of course, plenty of cosy places to curl up with your latest read. Here are some of our favourites…
Pip House, Mevagissey
Sleeps: 6
Best for: Reading by the pool
Overlooking Portmellon Bay on Cornwall’s sunny south coast, Pip House sets the scene for unforgettable readaways. With space for up to six and dog-friendly too, gather together your favourite bibliophiles and look forward to bookish bliss. Inside, the marble lobby leads to a collection of wonderful spaces for socialising and reading alike, as well as three beautiful bedrooms. Meanwhile outside, the magic overflows in the form of a private heated swimming pool, alfresco hot tub, landscaped gardens, and an outdoor BBQ area with an open fire.
Fisherman’s Square, Mousehole
Sleeps: 4
Best for: Harbour views
Full of quirky cottage romance, Fisherman's Square is a spacious harbourside delight in Mousehole. The most idyllic bookish bolthole for solo breaks and getaways with friends, its bright, colourful interiors and harbour views make for a story-worthy stay. Wake to the call of gulls beyond the window, before drawing out your morning with a read beneath the duvet. When you’re ready, wander into Mevagissey from your doorstep to collect delicious local supplies, before heading back to relax on the sofa beside the fire or out on the terrace with your book.
Sea Spray, Perranporth
Sleeps: 8
Best for: Seaside stories
Sea Spray in Perranporth enjoys one of the most incredible locations overlooking dune and sea. Set right above the beach, it’s within walking distance of the town and its many amenities, as well as the salt-kissed shore. For a reading retreat with your fellow literary lovers, there are few places more inviting. Simply enjoy the location and find your favourite spot to cosy up with a seaside romance or gripping mystery. With large outdoor sofas, a sun-drenched lawn, hot tub, spacious lounge with a woodburner, and four bedrooms, a greater hook would be hard to find.
The Shed, Portreath
Sleeps: 2
Best for: Woodland escapes
Plucked straight from the pages of a storybook, The Shed offers one of the most charming destinations for bookish stays in Cornwall with your dog by your side. At the entrance to the magical Tehidy Country Park and the North Cliffs, this thatched gem is flushed with character and enjoys contemporary interiors in harmony with its woodland setting. Follow leafy trails through the woods or head to the coast, before relaxing in the sun-dappled garden or on the plump sofa with a book in one hand and a glass of something tasty in the other as your pup snoozes nearby.
Porthmeor Loft, St Ives
Sleeps: 4
Best for: Town tales
Porthmeor Loft is an inviting three-storey townhouse in the picturesque St Ives. Set above the stunning Porthmeor Beach, it couldn’t be better placed for days of care-free reading on the beach, before chilling out in one of the town’s many bars, cafés, and sea-view restaurants for refreshment as you continue your story. Upon your return, Porthmeor Loft awaits with thoughtfully designed reverse-level living spaces, three bedrooms, and Juliet balconies overlooking the town and the coastline’s sandy shores. Not to mention, a selection of books!
Lake Cottage, Newlyn
Sleeps: 6
Best for: Literature on the lawn
If you love your literature with a side of lattes and lawns, then Lake Cottage is sure to attract your attention. Nestled within a greenery-wrapped pocket just outside of Newlyn, this characterful Cornish cottage has timeless appeal. Plonk yourself on one of the fireside sofas in the sitting area or curl up in the conservatory, or head straight outside to the gardens and spread out on the grass with a book and a hamper full of treats. Welcoming dogs and sleeping six guests across three bedrooms, this is a dream escape for literary buffs and reading enthusiasts.
Far West, Sennen
Sleeps: 6
Best for: Sonnets and sunsets
Whether your family adores reading or your friends love nothing more than gathering around to hunker down, Far West in Sennen is a bestseller. Let the ocean set a soundtrack to your chapters as you take a seat in one of the windowside armchairs or corner sofa, letting the reaching sea vistas compete for your attention. If you can tear yourself away from the sea-view sitting room, you can relax over lazy lunches and fantasy adventures on the terrace. Or, take the short walk to the beach where golden sands provide a soft cushion for days lost in verse.
The Shepherd Hut at Blue Down Farm, Morvah
Sleeps: 2
Best for: Fairytale stays
Nestled within private grounds in a designated National Landscape, The Shepherd Hut at Bluebell Down Farm in Morvah offers a novel retreat for avid bookworms. Surrounded by the history-rich landscapes of Penwith in West Cornwall, this cosy hut provides the perfect base from which to explore, soak up the coastal views, and disappear into your latest page-turner. Curl up in the quirky interiors in front of the woodburner or spread out a picnic blanket on the grass outside and laze in the country air as you flick through the pages from your own private fairytale.
The View, Perranporth
Sleeps: 8
Best for: Books and balconies
Taking pride of place above Perranporth, The View makes for a stunning bolthole for groups of booklovers. For a memorable readaway in Cornwall full of jaw-dropping views and unfiltered R&R, secure a stay in any season and escape with your favourite people. With its reverse-level design, hours-long reading sessions can be enjoyed from the elevated living area, outside on the ocean-view balcony, or in the spacious front garden overlooking the town and beach. For evening entertainment, the UK’s only beach bar, The Watering Hole, is a short walk away.
Boswedden, St Mawes
Sleeps: 8
Best for: Riverside readaways
Overlooking the winding waterways and tributaries of the River Fal, Boswedden tempts with magical getaways. Full of cosy corners and epic views, it boasts loads of space for up to eight people to relax and unwind with agendas full of novel inspiration. Wake up in one of the four bedrooms under marshmallow-soft sheets and ease into your day with a brew and a book in hand. Whether you want to take time to explore or simply want to shirk all activity and indulge in unadulterated reading time by the fire or in the blooming gardens, happiness awaits.
Carn Stables, Mid Cornwall
Sleeps: 2
Best for: Solo reading breaks
Sometimes, all you need is your dog, a great book, and somewhere cosy to unwind. At Carn Stables in Mid Cornwall, the beautiful views, woodburner, and hot tub certainly help too. A dreamy little base for solo readers and bookish couples to chill out and devour those long-awaited reads, it beckons throughout the year. Make use of the private grounds, local walks, and soothing interiors to write your own adventures, before slipping into your cosiest PJs and kicking back on the sofa as the fire crackles and the words lift from the pages.
The Pink House, Bude
Sleeps: 16
Best for: Large bookish gatherings
Spending time with loved ones is always a treat, but spending time with loved ones in blissful quietude with a pile of page-turners? Even better. If you and your best bookaholics are looking for somewhere to enjoy a group holiday together, The Pink House offers an unrivalled base. Family and dog-friendly, this six-bedroom beach house promises large open-plan living areas, balconies, terraces and lots of space to gather and disperse as you please. And, only a hop, skip and a jump from Crooklets, you can easily get to the beach for seaside reading too.
Ready to book your readaway? Take a look at our cottages in Cornwall for bookish inspiration.