St Merryn is famously known as “Seven Bays” because of its location in the middle of seven stunning beaches. For a small village, the food scene is surprisingly dense, ranging from Rick Stein’s country pub to independent bistros run by chefs who learned their trade in London’s best kitchens.
St Agnes is the beating heart of Cornwall’s mining heritage. It sits on a rugged stretch of the north coast known as “Poldark Country,” where iconic engine houses cling to the cliff edges and the Atlantic swells roll into deep, rocky coves.
St Agnes offers a different feel to the tourist hotspots like Newquay or St Ives. It is a thriving, year-round community with a strong sense of identity. Accommodation here tends to be characterful—think converted mine captains’ houses, historic inns with low beams, and campsites with some of the best cliff-edge views in the country.
St Agnes has quietly become one of the best food destinations on the North Coast. It eschews big chains for independent, quirky spots—from a microbrewery in a 17th-century tin mine warehouse to a beachside bar serving arguably the best pizza with a sea view in the county.
Rock is arguably the water sports capital of the county. Unlike the surfing beaches of the north coast, the estuary here provides calm(er) waters perfect for sailing, water skiing, and paddleboarding. It is a playground for the active, bordered by miles of golden sand dunes.
Rock is predominantly a destination for self-catering luxury. Unlike Newquay or Padstow, it doesn’t have rows of hotels. Instead, you will find some of the most expensive private holiday homes in the UK hidden behind high hedges, alongside one incredible hotel and a legendary caravan park with a million-pound view.
Rock is known as “Chelsea-on-Sea” for a reason. It is an affluent, stylish enclave across the estuary from Padstow. The food scene here is less chaotic than its neighbour but equally impressive, featuring Michelin-listed pubs, high-end hotel dining, and some of the best delis in the county.
Port Isaac is famous globally as the setting for Doc Martin and the home of the Fisherman’s Friends sea shanty group. But beyond the TV fame, it is a working fishing village with some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in North Cornwall.
Port Isaac is one of the most picturesque but compact villages in Cornwall. Accommodation here ranges from centuries-old fishermen’s cottages right on the harbour to boutique hotels perched high on the cliffs offering panoramic views.
Port Isaac is famous for two things: Doc Martin and Nathan Outlaw. This tiny fishing village punches well above its weight, hosting two Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance of each other, alongside centuries-old pubs where you can still watch the fishermen land their daily catch.