Demo website by Cove Web Studio. This is an example design, not a real business.
Whitewashed cottages on the cliff above a calm harbour with fishing boats on the south Cornish coast

South Cornwall · near Falmouth

Two little cottages by the sea in South Cornwall

Slow mornings by the harbour, salty walks from the door and a wood burner waiting at the end of the day.

Book direct and save

Why book with us, not a booking site?

When you book here, you deal with Tamsin and Mark, not a call centre. No middleman means no booking fees, the lowest price, and a few extras we can't offer anywhere else.

A wicker picnic hamper beside a sun hat, an open book and a board of cheese and crackers
Every direct booking comes with a hamper of Cornish treats.
  • Best price guaranteedAlways the lowest rate you'll find for our cottages.
  • No booking feesThe price you see is the price you pay.
  • Free welcome hamperLocal Cornish treats waiting on the kitchen table.
  • 10% off return staysCome back to us and we'll say thank you.

Our cottages

Two places to slow right down

Both a few minutes' stroll from the harbour, each with its own character.

Gull's Rest

Sleeps 42 bedrooms1 bathroom

A snug fisherman's cottage with harbour views, a wood burner and a welcome for dogs.

  • Harbour view
  • Dog-friendly
  • Wood burner
  • Fast Wi-Fi

From£120per night

View cottage

Tide House

Sleeps 63 bedrooms2 bathrooms

A light-filled family house with a garden that looks straight out to sea.

  • Sea view
  • Garden
  • Parking
  • EV charger
  • Fast Wi-Fi

From£175per night

View cottage

The Porthwenna way

A holiday at the pace of the tide

Small fishing boats resting on the sand of a Cornish harbour at low tide, with the village behind
01

Mornings on the harbour

Wander down for fresh bread while the boats come in, then take your coffee to the harbour wall and watch the village wake up. There's nowhere you need to be.

A walker on a narrow coastal path above the sea, with headlands stretching into the distance
02

Coastal walks from the door

The coast path runs right past the end of the lane. Turn one way for hidden coves and wildflowers; turn the other for the river, the woods and a pub lunch.

A black wood-burning stove glowing beside a stack of logs
03

Evenings by the fire

Salt in your hair, logs in the burner and a good book from the shelf. On clear nights, step outside: with so little light around, the stars are something else.

Example guest reviews

What our guests say

These reviews are examples written for demonstration. A real client's genuine guest reviews would appear here.

Our third year at Gull's Rest and it still feels like coming home. Waking up to the boats in the harbour, coffee in hand, is the best start to a day we know. The hamper was a lovely touch again, especially the fudge.

Claire M., BristolStayed at Gull's Rest in September

Perfect for us and the dog. Straight out of the door onto the coast path every morning, then back to the wood burner. Spotlessly clean.

James H., ReadingStayed at Gull's Rest in November

We had three generations under one roof and Tide House handled it beautifully. The kids lived in the garden, the grown-ups lived on the bench watching the sea. Tamsin was so helpful when we arrived late after the A30 traffic.

Priya & Sam, ManchesterStayed at Tide House in August

Exactly as pictured, which is rarer than it should be! Comfy beds, a properly equipped kitchen and a view you can't stop looking at.

Ellen R., LeedsStayed at Tide House in June

Booked direct after finding them on one of the big sites. Cheaper, and lovely to deal with real people. We've already booked for next spring.

Tom W., CardiffStayed at Gull's Rest in April

Quiet, cosy and so well thought out. The little local guide in the cottage pointed us to a cove we'd never have found ourselves. We didn't use the car once in four days.

Hannah & Lou, LondonStayed at Tide House in October

Local guide

Our favourite things to do nearby

A few tips from people who live here. You'll find a printed copy in both cottages too.

Where we are

Tucked away on the south coast

Porthwenna sits between Falmouth and the Helford River: quiet lanes, wooded creeks and the sea at the bottom of the hill.

  • Around 25 minutes' drive from Falmouth
  • Nearest mainline station: Truro, about 40 minutes
  • Newquay airport is around an hour away

Meet your hosts

Hello, we're Tamsin and Mark

Tamsin grew up in the village, and Mark fell for it (and her) on a sailing holiday twenty years ago. We live just up the hill with our scruffy terrier, Pasco, and we look after both cottages ourselves: every bed made, every hamper packed, every log stacked.

We started letting the cottages because we wanted to share the place we love with people who'd love it too. We're always happy to point you towards a quiet beach or the best crab sandwich in the county, and if you need anything during your stay, we're only a phone call away.

Tamsin & Mark

Good to know

Questions guests ask

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 4pm and check-out is by 10am. If the cottage is free the day before or after, we're often happy to offer an earlier arrival or later departure, so just ask.

Can we bring our dog?

Gull's Rest welcomes up to two well-behaved dogs for a small charge of £25 per dog per stay, and we'll leave out a bed, bowls and a towel for muddy paws. Tide House is dog-free, which makes it a good choice for guests with allergies.

Is there parking?

Tide House has private parking for two cars and an EV charger. Gull's Rest has a permit for the village car park, a two-minute walk away. The lanes are narrow, so a smaller car makes life easier.

Is there a minimum stay?

From 2 nights in the quieter months, rising to 7 nights in the school summer holidays and over Christmas. You'll find the details in the seasonal prices on each cottage page.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 6 weeks before arrival and we'll refund everything except your deposit. Within 6 weeks, we'll refund in full if we can re-let your dates. We recommend travel insurance. The full terms are on our booking terms page.

What's provided?

Fresh bed linen, bath and hand towels, a starter pack of tea, coffee, milk, washing-up liquid and toilet roll, plus logs for the wood burner at Gull's Rest. Beach towels are there to borrow. And of course your welcome hamper if you book direct.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes, both cottages have fast fibre broadband. Mobile signal in the village can be patchy, but the Wi-Fi supports Wi-Fi calling on most phones.

How do we pay?

A 25% deposit secures your booking, by card or bank transfer. The balance is due 6 weeks before you arrive. There are no booking fees or hidden extras.

Check availability

Send us your dates

Tell us when you'd like to come and we'll reply within a few hours (usually much sooner) to confirm availability and your price. No obligation, no fees.

Your stay

We'll only use your details to reply about your stay. See our privacy notice.

Check availability