Villas in Cornwall

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Cornwall?
• Villas in Cornwall: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Cornwall: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Cornwall?

• Diverse villa options: Choose from intimate two-bedroom retreats to spacious multi-bedroom villas with resort facilities and modern amenities throughout Cornwall's coastal and countryside locations.
• Premium amenities: Enjoy private heated pools, whirlpools, manicured gardens with sea views, fully equipped kitchens, and terraces designed for ultimate relaxation and entertainment.
• Exceptional locations: Stay in sought-after areas like St Merryn near Padstow for beach access, Mullion on the Lizard Peninsula for resort-style holidays, or Bodmin Moor for tranquil moorland getaways.
• Highly rated properties: Guests consistently praise villa rentals for comfortable furnishings, spacious gardens, on-site facilities, and proximity to attractions and beaches.
• Excellent dining scene: Discover top-rated restaurants including Clawford Lakes and The Pig at Harlyn Bay, featuring farm-to-table cuisine and the best of the Cornish catch of the day.

Cornwall's villa rentals offer luxurious holiday homes perfect for families and groups seeking comfort and style; they're ideal for a special break in complete comfort, but if you'd prefer something more rustic, camping sites are also available. If your heart's set on a villa, look out for amenities such as:

• Private pools and whirlpools
• Gardens with sea views
• Fully equipped kitchens
• Balconies and terraces

If the budget doesn't stretch to a full villa, there are plenty of other holiday rentals in Cornwall to choose from, including cosy cottages and secluded cabins.

What are the best areas to stay in Cornwall?

The standout locations for villa rentals in Cornwall are St Merryn near Padstow on the North Coast and Mullion on the Lizard Peninsula in South Cornwall. The table below details areas for specific interests:

Our villas consistently receive glowing reviews from satisfied guests who praise the comfortable furnishings, well-equipped kitchens, and peaceful settings. Families particularly love the spacious gardens, on-site facilities, and close proximity to beaches and attractions.

Nestled on the rugged southwestern tip of England, Cornwall is a coastal county renowned for its dramatic clifftop scenery, golden sandy beaches, and picturesque fishing villages along the Atlantic coastline.

🍴Where to eat in Cornwall?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Clawford Lakes is the best rated restaurant in Cornwall. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller James recommends Paul Ainsworth at No.6 in Padstow, just a few miles from St Merryn: a Michelin-starred restaurant in a Georgian townhouse serving an elegant tasting menu of seasonal Cornish produce with expertly chosen wine pairings — a memorable treat for a special night out.

1. Try a traditional Cornish pasty
2. Spend a day at Flambards theme park
3. Get your adrenaline fix at Hangloose Adventure, Eden Project
4. Ride the Bodmin & Wenford Railway
5. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan
6. Catch a show at the Minack Theatre
7. Step back into mining history at Geevor Tin Mine

1. Try a traditional Cornish pasty

   Cornwall's national dish is a pastry case filled with diced beef, potato, swede and onion. It's said to have originated with Cornish tin miners, who needed a meal they could eat with dirty hands — the thick crimped crust doubled as a handle that was thrown away afterwards.

2. Spend a day at Flambards theme park

   Near Helston, this family-friendly park has something for everyone whatever the weather, from thrilling rides to a realistic recreation of a Victorian village and a life-size WWII street.

3. Get your adrenaline fix at Hangloose Adventure, Eden Project

   Inside the grounds of the famous biome complex, Hangloose offers six high-altitude challenges, including England's longest and fastest zip wire, an aerial assault course and a giant swing.

4. Ride the Bodmin & Wenford Railway

   One of the few full-size lines in the country still regularly run by steam locomotives, linking Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction (just off the Camel Trail) with buffet service on board and at the stations along this scenic 13-mile route.

5. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan

   Restored from decades of neglect by Eden Project creator Tim Smit, these 200-acre gardens near Mevagissey combine productive kitchen gardens, an Italian garden and a lush subtropical area nicknamed "The Jungle".

6. Catch a show at the Minack Theatre

   Carved into the granite cliffs near Porthcurno by Rowena Cade, this open-air theatre hosts over 200 performances a year — plays, musicals, opera and children's events — with the Atlantic as a backdrop.

7. Step back into mining history at Geevor Tin Mine

   This former working tin mine near Pendeen is now a museum and heritage centre where you can go underground and learn what life was really like for Cornish miners.