Harbour Cove, on the camel estuary, is one of Cornwall's few remaining secret beaches. This wide tract of soft caramel sand and shallow aquamarine sea is largely empty- even in high season.
On the other side of the estuary is Trebetherick, where poet laureate Sir John Betjeman is buried, to the left Polzeath (about a mile away). where PM David Cameron goes body boarding, and to the right Rock (aka Notting Hill By The Sea).
Where to stay:
The Redhouse Apartment, Padstow
Padstow's newest holiday rental, The Red House Apartment is just a ten minute walk from the town centre. Where most holiday rentals pack 'em in like sardines, this two bedroom apartment, on the ground floor of an elegant Edwardian house, is airy and spacious, with high ceilings and tall sash windows, and lovely views across the wide Camel Estuary to Rock and on to Bodmin Moor,
Owned and designed by artist/designer Kim Futrell and her travel-writer husband Jonathan, one bedroom is en suite, there is a modern kitchen,and a separate dining room with flagstones and a Welsh dresser. When the weather's good, you've got two private terraces to sun yourself on, and it's just a 20 minute walk from Harbour Cove.
Stroll down the short hill from the Red House to the Camel Estuary, heading through the town, passing Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant,Deli and Fish 'n Chip shop. While the town is buzzing in the holidays, with most people preferring to scoff pasties and bat away hungry seagulls around the harbour. Harbour Cove is always peaceful,
Prices at The Red House Apartment start at £550 week out of season (September – July, excluding Christmas and school holidays), rising to £950. info@theredhouse.co.uk, 01841 532785
