Birdcage Cottage

If you're looking for a quirky cottage in an unsung part of Cornwall, you've come to the right place. Tucked away on the Rame peninsula – the last-gasp piece of Cornwall, across the Tamar estuary and Plymouth Sound from Devon – the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand have the kind of traditional, back-in-time feel that draw visitors year after year. Tiny Kingsand is all narrow streets and charming houses, and Birdcage Cottage makes for a highly agreeable base in this pretty corner of Cornwall.

It's a lovely spot, with two double bedrooms and a contemporary coastal feel throughout. Kitchen and dining room are on the ground floor, with chunky wooden cabinets and worktops, a light-filled dining area, and all the equipment and appliances you need for a self-catering stay. The two bedrooms are upstairs, as is the chapel-like lounge with wood-burner, which is a cosy space for romantic nights and after-dinner drinks. The bedrooms are particularly handsome, with painted floorboards and furniture, coordinated furnishings, and a clever use of space and light in an old cottage that doesn't always do square corners. The house bathroom is downstairs, a modern, white space with a walk-in shower. There's only short-stay parking and unloading at the cottage, but there are car parks nearby.

Still, you won't need the car, especially for shorter breaks. There's a little bit of an outdoor terrace in front of the cottage, but with a few steps you're right in the cutest of coastal villages. Kingsand and Cawsand are just three minutes apart, set around a sparkling natural harbour. The beaches at either are a mix of sand and shingle, and great for families, and there are cafes, shops and pubs within easy walking distance. Further afield, you can stroll out to Rame Head, a magnificent viewpoint with its ruined chapel and fantastic views. When people talk about finding unspoiled Cornwall they mean somewhere like this, and Birdcage Cottage means you'll be able to explore it from a quirky, cosy base with all the comforts of home.