Merlin Farm Cottages, Mawgan Porth

Its six holiday properties comprising of a studio apartment, two high-spec barn conversions and three eco cottages, Merlin Farm is surrounded by bountiful countryside, yet is just a short walk from Mawgan Porth beach. The centrepiece is the trio of eco cottages, flaunting a well-deserved 5-star rating for combining sustainable design (ground-source heating, solar-heated water, green electricity and bamboo bath robes) with luxurious living standards (wood-burners, wet-rooms, waterfall taps, Ren toiletries and local artwork). The contemporary interiors have retained a traditional, rustic farmhouse feel, emphasised by chunky oak furniture and oak beams taken from the original barns. The sun floods in through bi-folding doors, and rolling green views beyond the private gardens trick you into believing you’re ensconced in tranquil countryside, despite being only 10-minutes’ trot from a surfing beach. The cottages are also a short hop from many of North Cornwall’s gems including Watergate Bay, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, Bedruthan Steps and Padstow. All the cottages are decked out with baby-friendly gear, from stair gates to baby baths, and young children will love grooming Horace the donkey. Dogs welcome – except in the summer holidays.