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Maenporth holiday home on the beach with sea views

Avalon Beach House

Large family holiday home with sea views on Maenporth beach in Falmouth

Sleeps up to 6 across 3 bedrooms Saturday arrival Dogs welcome subject to request Short breaks available
Check rates and dates
The Retreat

You’ll find Avalon Beach House right by sandy Maenporth beach, just outside Falmouth, set in secluded gardens. This beautiful holiday home sleeps six in three en-suite bedrooms, with homely interiors and private parking so it’s perfect for families. While the house is set back with plenty of privacy, the beach and miles of coast path are quite literally on your doorstep.

Short breaks are available from October – March excluding school holidays (Friday, Saturday or Monday arrivals only, 4 night minimum) If your desired dates are not bookable online please contact the team here.

A rare find, Avalon Beach House is one of the very few private houses at Maenporth (near Falmouth), and it’s ideally situated. Just beyond the tranquility of your modern and comfortable accommodation, you’ll find all you need for the perfect sandy holiday, including a laid-back beach café, watersports equipment rental, and an elegant beach bar and restaurant.

Inside the property


Stepping in through the front door, you are welcomed into an airy hallway with the large family living area to your right. This features a wood burner, smart TV and plenty of seating split across two rooms, including a large L-shaped sofa that has been arranged adjacent to the charming views of Maenporth, one of Falmouth’s amazing sandy coves.

The kitchen and dining area take in the beautiful natural light from the rear of the property through the vaulted windows above the dining table. As a social, open-plan space, you’ll enjoy time spent in the kitchen, which is modern and well-equipped with everything needed for family dining and relaxed gatherings.

One king-sized en-suite bedroom and one double-sized en-suite bedroom are located on the ground floor. Both benefit from patio doors and beach glimpses, and are light and spacious inviting restful sleep. There is also a separate WC on the ground floor. The principal bedroom with en-suite is on the top floor of Avalon and is complete with vaulted ceilings, plenty of storage and a window seat to watch the everchanging views of Maenporth beach.

On lower ground floor you will find a utility room, perfect for washing and drying clothes and towels after a day on the beach.

Outside of the property

Avalon takes pride in its garden area, which is terraced on multiple levels to make the most of the views with a mix of sun and shade. The garden features both grassy areas perfect for little ones to play, and a patio space for al-fresco dining, complete with a Weber gas barbeque. There’s also parking for up to four cars, which is signposted to the right of the property. The best part? You’re quite literally seconds from the sandy shores of Maenporth beach. It’s sandy and slopes gently to the sea, in a sheltered cove — and it’s lifeguarded in summer and main holiday weeks.

You also have direct access to miles of walking. Choose the coastal path and you can stroll to Falmouth, past Swanpool beach, about a mile away, taking in spectacular views. The other direction takes you to little secluded beaches, dramatic Rosemullion Head, and the sheltered creeks of the Helford — an idyllic part of Cornwall to explore. Up the footpath beside the house is the pretty village of Mawgan Smith with its thatched pub, café and village shop.

Things we love


We love the seclusion here; expect to wake up to rays of natural sunlight shining through the trees surrounding the property. Take in the views of the beach as you enjoy a morning coffee, or you might like to stroll along the strand-line before breakfast; easy when it’s right outside. A walk on the beach could surprise you with washed-up seaglass, or the sight of Canada geese flying over from the wetland nature reserve behind the beach. As lovers of the sea, you couldn’t be in a better position for kayaking or bodyboarding, try stand up paddle-boarding or even SUP yoga! Falmouth will be your local town and is just a short drive away; we love the independent shops, art galleries and of course the Maritime Museum — not to mention countless cafés and restaurants, the perfect place to spend your evenings — before escaping back to beautiful Avalon Beach House, your blissful escape by the sea.
Real quality
Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful house. It is real quality and has everything you could ever need. We arrived very stressed and worn out but now go home relaxed and ready for everyday life once again. We loved the position of the place and enjoyed all the walks from the front door, especially along the beach for an afternoon ice cream at the beach hut. Hopefully we'll be able to visit again soon.
The Turners — October 2023
Features

Retreat Features

  • Seconds from the sand and sea on Maenporth beach
  • Spacious rooms for families or a small group
  • Cosy wood burner
  • Private garden in elevated position
  • Private parking for up to three cars
  • Beach views from the property
SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: king bed with en suite
Bedroom two: king bed with en suite
Bedroom three: twin beds with en suite (can be made into a super king upon request)
All bed linen and bath towels provided
COOKING & DINING
Open-plan kitchen and dining
Well equipped kitchen
Electric oven & gas hob
Microwave
Dishwasher
Fridge/freezer
Coffee machine
Breakfast bar with seating for 2
Dining table & seating for 6
Patio door to rear of property
LIVING & RELAXING
Large L-shaped sofa
Smart TV
Wood burner
Patio doors
BATHROOM
Three en suite bathrooms with walk in showers
Separate WC on ground floor
OUTDOORS
Private gardens to front and rear of property.
Elevated position with sea glimpses
Please note: the garden is across multiple levels and may not be suitable for unsupervised children
PARKING
Private parking for three cars
BABIES & TODDLERS
Travel cot (no linen) and highchair on request
PETS
Dogs welcome subject to request. Please contact the team
UTILITIES
Washing machine
Essential cleaning items
HEATING
Oil-fired central heating
Underfloor heating on ground floor
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURES
Saturday changeovers
Check in after 4pm
Check out before 10am
ACCESSIBILITY
Steps leading up to the property
Across three floors
Bedrooms on ground floor
Not suitable for wheelchairs
Location

Maenporth

Tucked away on the coast path midway between buzzy Falmouth and the tranquil Helford River, Maenporth is a brilliant spot for a family holiday. The beach has all sorts of watersports hire, with surfboard, kayak, paddleboard rental and lessons available from the beach hut, and there are two great places to eat on the beach — an award-winning fish restaurant and a popular beach cafe. One of the best things about Maenporth is that there’s so much to see and do by foot. Falmouth, with its cobbled streets full of indies, fish restaurants, galleries and cafes, is an easy two-mile walk north along the coast path, whilst the helford’s secluded beaches are an hour’s amble south.

 

More about this area

Travel times

  • Avalon is under 3 miles from Falmouth Town train station; which is a branch line off the mainline to Penzance (change at Truro). Regular and convenient services run from all over the UK.
  • Maenporth is about 13 miles from the city of Truro. Driving time from London is around five hours in normal traffic, while Exeter is around two hours away.

Things we love

  • On the beach
  • Beautiful Falmouth location surrounded by nature
  • Spacious house perfect for families with children
  • Beach views from the property

The falmouth guide

Beach near holiday cottages near Falmouth by Forever Cornwall

Sheltered beaches

Cornwall’s south coast is known for its calm waters and sheltered beaches, and Falmouth has some of our favourite coves in the area. Gyllyngvase Beach is a Blue Flag beach and lifeguarded in summer, whilst Castle Beach, slightly further along, is brilliant for snorkelling at high tide when the beach disappears completely. Swanpool and Maenporth, both an easy stroll from the centre, offer plenty of space. All beaches have their individual perks, from Gylly’s popular beach cafe with relaxed decking to Swanpool’s cracking lunchtime cafe with their indulgent ‘hedgehog’ ice creams.

For coastal adventures, take to the seas in a kayak or paddleboard to discover one of the many hidden coves in the area — some totally inaccessible by land so you are likely to find a beach to yourself. When staying in one of our Falmouth holiday cottages, if you’re up for exploring, head along the coastal footpath from Swanpool towards Maenporth and seek out Sunny Cove — a sheltered, sandy beach that often goes undiscovered by both visitors and residents.

A foodie hub

Falmouth is one of Cornwall’s top culinary hubs, its cobbled lanes, bustling high street and waterside terraces packed full of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars. Not surprisingly for a town with a still-vibrant fishing industry, fish and seafood features heavily on local menus. Head to Harbour Lights in the heart of town for the tastiest fish and chips on the go, sample delicious small plates at the tiny Verdant Seafood Bar, run by a local microbrewery, or head to Indidog for seafood and cocktails on the balcony jutting out over the harbour.

A flurry of wine bars has opened in recent years, including The Orgia Bar & Kitchen, which specialises in natural wines and small plates, and sustainable wine shop and bar, Kernowine. If you’re travelling further afield, don’t miss the award-winning restaurant The Cove in Maenporth with its panoramic views across Falmouth Bay, fabulous seafood at Hooked on the Rocks in Swanpool, or the legendary Pandora Inn, a little gem of a place hidden up Restronguet Creek.

Falmouth working boat, Forever Cornwall

A maritime mecca

Falmouth is steeped in a rich seafaring history. It’s home to the world’s third largest natural harbour, and remains a significant player on the international maritime scene. You can delve into the area’s seafaring past at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, which hosts different exhibits along with permanent favourites — visitors can climb into lifeboats, marvel at the flotilla of boats suspended in the main hall, or head down below sea level to the Tidal Zone where can look out underwater in the harbour.

The town’s maritime past is celebrated with a number of festivals held throughout the year. During the summer, the International Sea Shanty Festival brings together almost 70 sea shanty groups from across the world, whilst the Falmouth Classics, also held in June, is a three-day regatta of racing, parades and events onshore. Falmouth Week plays host to numerous sailing events over a week in August, and, in October, the start of the oyster dredging season is heralded at the Falmouth Oyster Festival. Falmouth’s Tall Ships Race, in which magnificent Class A tall ships race from Falmouth to Spain, returned to Falmouth in the summer of 2023.

Beaches
Bigstock Gyllyngvase Beach In The Summe 1834320

Gyllyngvase

Sheltered from most of the Atlantic swell, Gylly (or Gyllyngvase to give it its full name, meaning ‘shallow inlet’) is a perfect year-round swimming and paddleboard spot, and its rocky reefs on either side are great for snorkeling. Its waters are mostly flat year-round and is lifeguarded in the summer. In 2019 it was awarded Blue Flag status for its clean, safe waters and subsequently awarded a Seaside Award in 2023. This area is perfect for rock pooling; book your very own rock pool safari guide with The Rockpool Project. If you want to venture out on the water, you’ll find paddleboard and Kayak hire on the beach. The award-winning Gylly Beach Café is right on the sand, serving delicious food from its cool, contemporary glass-fronted building. You can pick up a loaf from its bakery next door.

Castle Beach

A slope leads down to a platform lined with colourful beach huts and the Castle Beach Cafe, which sells breakfast and small bites, as well as sourdough toasties, soup and ice cream. The clear waters are great for snorkelling at high tide, when the beach disappears completely; low tide reveals a narrow strip of shingle and sand, and rockpools where children can hunt for crabs. The Gylly Beach Cafe and Bakery is an easy 10-minute stroll away. If you want to try your hand at diving, Dive in Falmouth is a fantastic school and water sports centre based off this beach with a range of courses on offer. 

Swanpool Falmouth

Swanpool

To the west of Falmouth, but still only a 20-minute walk from the centre, Swanpool is a sand and shingle cove backed by a nature reserve, which is home to 100 different species of bird (pick up some bird seeds at the cafe to feed the swans and ducks). It’s not lifeguarded, but it’s a calm spot for a swim or paddle — there’s kayak and bodyboard hire at the watersports centre by the cafe.  The wonderful Hooked on the Rocks seafood restaurant & bar overlooks the nature reserve and beach, whilst the beach cafe sells teas, snacks and ice cream, including the famous Hedgehog, a decadent cone of ice cream, hazelnuts and clotted cream.

Beach near holiday cottages near Falmouth by Forever Cornwall

Maenporth

An easy 30-minute walk along the coast path from Swanpool —and just a couple of miles out of Falmouth — Maenporth has glorious views across Falmouth Bay towards Pendennis Castle. Although it isn’t lifeguarded, this beach is a great choice for families with younger children, with its beachside cafe, soft sand, sheltered waters, and stream running down the beach for paddling and dam building. At low tide, the fascinating shipwreck of the trawler Ben Asdale can be seen. There are also caves further along the beach but check out the tide times before you head off to explore. There’s a fabulous seafood restaurant tucked behind the dunes, too.

Food & Drink
Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Forever Cornwall

Fish and seafood

For the best fish and chips in town, head to Harbour Lights, just off the quay. They only source sustainable, MSC fish, with plenty of Cornish options on the menu. In good weather, take your food down to the quay behind and grab a table outside at The Front, a bring-your-own-food pub. Award-winning Indidog is tucked off the main street, its full length balcony over the harbour has brilliant views of the Fal estuary. Expect delicious fish dishes, small seafood plates and wonderful cocktails and mocktails. This quirky Verdant Seafood Bar basement taproom and tapas bar combines delicious small sharing plates (juicy scallops, crispy monkfish scampi crispy and amazing crab fries) with locally brewed craft beer from Verdant’s own brewery just outside Falmouth. Be prepared to queue in peak season.

Cafes

Top on your list should be Stones Bakery, a bakery shop and cafe at the top of town which does amazing salads, pastries, and all manner of delicious baked goods — a perfect place for a laid-back lunch. Hiding amongst Falmouth’s terraces high above the harbour, deli-cum-cafe Provedere is a good bet for a tapas lunch — it also sells an amazing range of Cornish produce, from cheeses and meats to local wine and beer. If you want to warm up after a swim, the award-winning Gylly Beach Cafe with bakery next door is brilliant. Slightly further along, the Castle Beach Cafe is also popular for its homemade cakes and great coffee.

Places to drink

Housed in one of Falmouth’s oldest buildings, the Chain Locker offers stylish and contemporary dining overlooking the bay. Indulge in award-winning beers, Polgoon wines and expertly crafted cocktails. For something more quirkier, head to Beerwolf Books, a pub tucked away off the main drag that combines beer with, er, books! A flurry of wine bars has opened in recent years, including The Orgia Bar & Kitchen, which specialises in natural wines and small plates, and Kernowine, a sustainable wine shop and bar.

Out of town

There are a number of places to eat and drink a little further out that are worth a mention. Just outside Falmouth, the Verdant Brewing Taproom, located next to their brewery in Penryn, serves authentic wood-fired pizzas alongside their delicious Verdant beer. Watch out for their live music events. Don’t miss the award-winning restaurant The Cove in Maenporth, set behind the sandy beach about a 45-minute walk from Falmouth along the coastal path. With its panoramic views across Falmouth Bay and fabulous fish dishes, Hooked on the Rocks on Swanpool beach, just outside the town, is a wonderful spot for seafood and sundowners. No trip to this patch of Cornwall is complete without a trip to the legendary Pandora Inn, a little gem of a place hidden up Restronguet Creek. It’s got its own mooring if you’re arriving by boat.

Falmouth Local Good Guide

The vibrant university town of Falmouth has a plethora of speciality food outlets, delis, bottles shops and bakeries hidden amongst its winding lanes and pretty terraced streets. There are several out of town breweries and a number of farm shops and markets in the surrounding area, like the brilliant Food Barn at Tregew in nearby Flushing, held every Saturday morning.

Find out more about buying local in with our handy Local Food Guide to Falmouth

Things to do
Bigstock National Maritime Museum 44646640

National Maritime Museum

This multi award-winning visitor centre, housed in a spectacular building on Discovery Quay in the very heart of Falmouth, celebrates the town’s seafaring heritage and is a must for visitors to the area. It’s full of fascinating, interactive displays, from the lofty main hall where a flotilla of full-size boats hang from the ceiling, to the underwater viewing window that looks right into Falmouth’s harbour. Children can sail electric boats in the sail pool, romp around in the soft play, get crafty in the arts area and play with real RNLI equipment. If you buy one ticket, it will be valid for a year, so you can come back again and again!

Pendennis Castle

This impressive Tudor fortress defended Falmouth against invasion for 400 years. It’s a spectacular spot, on a headland at the mouth of the Carrick Roads with stunning views out to sea. Now under the care of English Heritage, visitors can explore the winding stone staircases and gun rooms, and scramble up to the top for panoramic views. Discover underground tunnels where ammunition was stored and experience the castle under attack with an exciting new immersive experience. 

Galleries and arts venues

The award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery is free to enter and has wonderful collections of over 2,000 artworks, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to local Cornish artists. They have an impressive schedule of exhibitions throughout the year, too. The live arts venue The Poly in the heart of the town has an arts cinema, workshops, exhibitions, talks, music, theatre and a makers guild, and there are also numerous galleries, pottery studios and art shops dotted around the town — we love Inspire Makers, which showcases the work of over 50 local artisans and craftspeople. 

Boat trips

Without doubt, the best way to explore the Carrick Roads is by water. Water ferries criss cross the river between Falmouth and a host of places including, St Mawes, Flushing, the National Trust’s Trelissick and Truro, so you can hop on and off whenever you want and explore the area in your own time. It’s a great way to get to know the Roseland Peninsula, with its pretty villages, secluded beaches and amazing flora and fauna. The Fal Mussel Visitor Card gives visitors unlimited travel by ferry, bus and boat, including the crossing on the King Harry Ferry.

Independent shops and boutiques

If shopping’s on the agenda then Falmouth is definitely the place to go. From clothing boutiques to antiques shops stuffed with intriguing collectables, having a browse in Falmouth’s independent shops will easily absorb an entire day if you let it. Some favourites include: Willow & Stone, which sells beautiful things for the home as well as gifts, stationery, prints and cards; Ludgate Antiques, hidden down a cobbled backstreet; the clothing store Parade selling beautiful clothes; and the Falmouth Bookseller.

Guests Say
  • Great to not have to use the car

    Another fantastic stay here. The weather was very kind to us despite the forecast. A quick walk over the road with the paddleboard is just perfect! The walk to Falmouth is lovely — great to not have to use the car at all. Hope to be back again soon.

    The Wardles — June 2024
  • So near the beach

    Fantastic stay at Avalon Beach House. We spent our week ticking off the Lizard sections of the the South West Coast Path and paddleboarding on the beach. Had a wonderful meal at the Mulberry in Falmouth. The tasting menu was fantastic. Did a family brunch with our dog at Indidog. It has been great to be located so near the beach and right on the coast path. We'll be back!

    The Ahmad family — May 2024
  • Lovely

    Lovely stay at Avalon Beach House. Recommend Indidog and Mine for eating out in Falmouth. Life's a Beach cafe across the road is mandatory for a morning coffee. Good runs/walks both ways along the coast path. A great holiday — thank you.

    Neil, Mary, Kate & Gabi — May 2024
  • Wonderful

    Another beautiful stay in Maenporth. We had a wonderful week, despite the weather, with plenty of fun on the beach. See you again next year!

    The Kidsons — March 2024
  • Just gorgeous

    We had a lovely stay at your lovely house, Avalon. It was a pre Xmas catch up with family and we had everything we needed here. Maenporth beach is just gorgeous and the lovely cafe there has great ice cream and snacks. Lots of walks either side and behind the house, perfect place for a short break and you have no need to go anywhere else! Thank you.

    The Waters — December 2023
  • Real quality

    Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful house. It is real quality and has everything you could ever need. We arrived very stressed and worn out but now go home relaxed and ready for everyday life once again. We loved the position of the place and enjoyed all the walks from the front door, especially along the beach for an afternoon ice cream at the beach hut. Hopefully we'll be able to visit again soon. Thank you once again.

    The Turners — October 2023
  • Fantastic beach days

    Great stay! Lovely and clean house. Fantastic beach days spent paddle-boarding and look for crabs. Great walks and super food and hospitality at The Red Lion.

    The Wardles — June 2023
  • We love this house

    We have had the most wonderful time here at Avalon! Most obvious tip is to head to the beach (early morning/later evening — bliss). The trip via ferry to St Mawes was fabulous. Fish and chips on The Front in Falmouth was great. We love this house and can't wait to come back.

    The Flanagans — May 2023
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View our Terms and Conditions here, which includes our dog policy, cancellation policy, and more.

Please note, we only release dates 11 months ahead, so please check back or enquire for more availability.