Five coastal cottage retreats

Experience life on the edge at these cosy cliff-top properties.

Rhiannon Batten
Saturday 21 February 2009 01:00 GMT
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Bwythn Tresinwen, Pembrokeshire

This chocolate-box village cottage was restored by sustainable Welsh self-catering specialist Under the Thatch. It is set in a dramatic spot on the rocky headland of Strumble Head in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is a picturesque neighbouring lighthouse as well as great coastal walks to explore, rock-pooling in a nearby cove and plenty of local wildlife. The country-cosy house comes with a modern kitchen, rustic sitting room and a garden.

Bwthyn Tresinwen, Tresinwen, Pembrokeshire (01239 851410; underthethatch.co.uk). Weekly rental starts at £294; sleeps up to eight.

The Bathing House, Northumberland

This pretty, listed cottage is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has spectacular views out to ruined castles and remote islands, as well as easy access to sandy coves and great walking and cycling territory. It’s the history that sets it apart, though. Built in the early 19th century by Earl Grey to take his extensive family bathing (nearby rocks still hold the iron pegs from the changing tents), it’s now owned by the charitable trust that runs nearby Howick Hall and its gardens.

The Bathing House, near Craster, Northumberland (01697 746777; northumbria-byways.com). Weekly rental starts at £660; sleeps six.

Tibbetts, Lundy Island

The island of Lundy, off the north coast of Devon, is managed by the Landmark Trust, which has restored many of Lundy’s buildings and made them available as self-catering cottages. The most isolated is Tibbetts, a quirky little stone cottage decked out in rustic style – it’s the only property that has no electricity, though it does have running water.

Tibbetts, Lundy Island (01628 825925; landmarktrust.org. uk). Weekly rental starts at £373; sleeps four.

The Beach Hut, Cornwall

Built in the 1920s and fashionably pared down in style, this luxury beach hut looks out over a secluded stretch of the north Cornish coast. It comes with a DVD and Wi-Fi and you can even have home-cooked fish pies delivered, or aromatherapy massages. Outside is some of Cornwall’s best surfing.

The Beach Hut, outside Bude, north Cornwall (01637 881942; thebeachhut.uniquehomestays. com). Weekly rental starts at £1,500; sleeps two.

Cruggleton Lodge, Dumfries and Galloway

From the outside, this cottage in southwest Scotland looks every inch your average rustic retreat. You’re in for a big surprise, though, once you step inside. This two-bedroom hideaway is as contemporary as could be, with a hotel-style bathroom, oak floors, map-print wallpaper and iPod dock all making for a high comfort factor.

Cruggleton Lodge, near Garlieston, Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway (01988 600694; gallowayhouseestate.co.uk). Weekly rental starts at £580; sleeps four.

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