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LARGE FAMILY-FRIENDLY COTTAGE, PORT GAVERNE, CORNWALL

Rashleigh Cottage

Open-plan cottage enjoying superb sea views, with secluded garden area

Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms (+ cot) Friday arrival Up to 2 well behaved dogs welcome Short breaks available
The Retreat

Rashleigh Cottage is a beautifully bright and spacious property with its own small private terrace area, enjoying sea views. Rashleigh sleeps six in comfortable surroundings, is dog friendly and is a stone’s throw away from the excellent village pub and pebbled beach.

Short breaks are available on selected dates from September – April (Friday or Monday arrival, 3 night minimum). If your desired dates are not bookable online please contact the team here.

Nestling in the beautiful and secluded cove of Port Gaverne lies a delightful collection of 18th Century Cornish buildings that have been restored to a beautiful standard to create holiday homes by the sea. One of these is Rashleigh Cottage; a lovely space for a family or group of friends. A stroll away is the award-winning village gastropub and an excellent café serving the best of local and world flavours, as well as the beach and miles of coastal path. All of Rashleigh’s accommodation is on one level, you have a private terrace looking out past the café garden to the beach and dramatic Atlantic beyond, as well as reserved parking immediately outside.

Take a look at our webcam, it provides stunning live views of Port Gaverne beach.

Dining area at cottage with sea view at Port Gaverne - Rashleigh Cottage by Forever Cornwall

Inside Rashleigh Cottage

Access to Rashleigh Cottage is on the same level as the parking. Inside you’ll find a small but very well equipped kitchen, and adjoining this an open-plan dining area and lounge for six guests. The decor is beachy and natural, with rustic pine floorboards, comfy furniture, and original artworks, giving a relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. The property has two spacious double bedrooms and also a twin room, all are light and airy with windows to the courtyard garden or skylights. A bathroom with shower and additional separate WC complete the accommodation.

In front of the property, and accessed through patio doors is the terrace. It has seating for al fresco dining and is sheltered, and sunny most of the day. You also have access to a separate shared courtyard garden area which sits at the heart of the cottages here.

Out and about

Rashleigh Cottage is one of our ten ‘Green Door’ properties nestled in Port Gaverne on the north Cornish coast. Have a look here at all of our Green Door cottages and apartments. Owned by the National Trust, this sheltered cove has a small pebble-and-sand beach with rock pools and caves, as well as cliff walks with magnificent views and a dramatic headland with stunning sunsets. Take a look for yourself with our live Port Gaverne webcam. Port Gaverne is just a short stroll from the famous 14th-century fishing village of Port Isaac which you may recognise as Portwenn, the setting for the famous TV series ‘Doc Martin’.

The South West Coast path is just opposite the property, and this entire stretch of coast has both Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Heritage Coast status.  You can walk east towards legendary Tintagel, or west past Port Isaac and tiny Port Quin cove to Pentire headland, Polzeath and the Camel estuary.

For eating out, the multi-award-winning Port Gaverne Restaurant & Hotel is just next door, dating back to the 17th century and specialising in local produce and delicious local ales, or there’s the seasonal Pilchards café right by the beach with plates for sharing, teas and coffees.  Alternatively, stroll into Port Isaac in a few minutes where you’ll find lots more foodie options.

Things we love…

Rashleigh Cottage is comfortable and very relaxing, and with its sheltered terrace, you feel a little private and exclusive whilst still being very much part of the community of the little hamlet. We love the open beamed ceilings which were all part of the original eighteenth-century pilchard works and have been preserved in this building at the heart of Port Gaverne. This is one of just four cottages in our ‘Green Door’ collection to have their own sea views and watching the comings and goings in the café and the cove beyond is a great way to while away the hours.

Shop for some great local produce and cook up a holiday feast for family or friends, or wander up the short hill to Port Isaac to do some ‘Doc Martin’ location spotting or to treat yourself to gourmet seafood at one of Nathan Outlaw’s two amazing restaurants in the village. Or book into Rock Tors our neighbouring action-adventure experts for some coastal exploration on (or in) the water. Let Rashleigh Cottage make the base for your next North Cornwall holiday.

Our favourite
We love Rashleigh and had a super holiday here. It is our fourth time in Port Gaverne and certainly won't be our last. It is our favourite and suits everyone.
Tim, Amanda, Eide & Ann — April 2023
Features

Retreat Features

  • Free Superfast Wifi
  • Private parking
  • Miles of coastal walks on doorstep
  • Moments from the beach
  • Lovely views from the patio and kitchen area
  • Hop, skip and a jump away from the nearest pub
SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: double bed
Bedroom two: double bed
Bedroom three: twin beds
All bed linen and bath towels provided
LIVING & RELAXING
Ground floor accommodation
Open plan lounge/kitchen/diner
Smart TV
Free superfast WiFi
Bluetooth speaker
COOKING & DINING
Well equipped kitchen enjoying sea views
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Dining table and chairs for six
Tea towels provided
BATHROOM
Family bathroom with freestanding bath and walk in shower
Second bathroom (wet room style) with shower
Bathroom towels provided
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
Friday standard changeover
Short breaks available, September — April. Changeover days are Monday and Friday.
Check in after 4pm
Check out before 10am
*Please note from the 1st April 2024 the check in will be after 3pm and checkout time will be before 9.30am
OUTDOORS
Small sea facing patio area (also overlooks cafe & cafe garden – great for people watching!)
Access to shared, enclosed communal garden
Outdoor seating
HEATING
Gas central heating throughout
BABIES & TODDLERS
Travel cot and highchair on request (cot linen on request)
PETS
Up to two small well behaved dogs welcome
PARKING
Allocated parking for two cars outside the property
(Suitable for those with limited mobility)
Communal EV charging point
ACCESSIBILITY
Single storey property
Please contact us for more information
Location

PORT GAVERNE

Port Gaverne is right next to Port Isaac, of Doc Martin and Poldark fame. However this little cove has an intimate  charm all of its own, away from the crowds of its neighbour. Although the beach is small, it’s dog-friendly all year round — and wait for the tide to go out and you’ll be rewarded with sand between your toes, rockpools to search through and caves to discover. Take a look for yourself with our live Port Gaverne webcam. For those with a taste for adrenalin, this sheltered cove offers some excellent coasteering too – get hold of Cornish Rock Tors who will guide you safely along the rocky shore and through the water. They also offer wild swimming sessions, kayaking, and stand up paddle-boarding, as well as plenty other land-based activities – so if it’s an active holiday you’re after then look no further.

Travel times

  • Port Gaverne is about 17 miles from the nearest mainline station at Bodmin Parkway. Regular and convenient services run from all over the UK.
  • Port Gaverne is 20 miles from the A30, with a driving time from London approximately 5 hours with good traffic and Exeter is roughly an hour and a half away. Full details to plan your route will be available on booking.

Things we love

  • The apartment is seconds away from the nearest beach, which is dog-friendly all year
  • Nearest shop for amenities is located in picturesque neighbouring Port Isaac, 10 minutes up the road
  • Port Gaverne Inn is moments away, a great gastropub
  • Miles of glorious coastal walks await, right from your doorstep

The port gaverne guide

Port Isaac Outlaw's Fish Kitchen close to Forever Cornwall holiday cottages

A foodie's favourite

In the heart of the hamlet, the Port Gaverne Hotel and Restaurant serves up Cornish produce — and it’s delicious. Try a range of gins, taste local ales and let the bar staff recommend a fine wine, as there are plenty to choose from.

Stroll from the Port Gaverne holiday cottages along to Port Isaac and experience exquisite dining at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw. Famed for its seafood taster menu, this Michelin starred restaurant is the perfect place for a celebration or romantic treat for two. If you’re accompanied by children, who may not appreciate Mr. Outlaw’s finest cuisine, follow your nose to the Angry Anchovy for excellent pizza and Cornish craft ale. There are also plenty of other places serving fresh seafood, such as Fresh From The Sea at the top of town.

 

Port Gaverne Cove - near Forever Cornwall holiday cottages

Sheltered cove right on your doorstep

Port Gaverne’s dog friendly beach is a small one, but wait for the tide to go out and you’ll be rewarded with sand between your toes, rockpools to explore and caves to discover. See for yourself with our Port Gaverne webcam with live footage of the cove. For those with a taste for adrenalin, this sheltered cove offers some excellent guided coasteering too — get hold of Cornish Rock Tors who will guide you along cliffs and through the water. They also offer wild swimming sessions, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, as well as plenty other land-based activities. The cove is moments away from our cottages and apartments in the area, so walk sandy footsteps back up to your retreat, or wrap up in a towel and get the wood burner going to dry out.

Walking Holidays in Port Gaverne Cornwall

Coastal footpaths and clifftop walks

North Cornwall is famous for its dramatic, rugged coastline and Port Gaverne is no exception. Whether you head east or west, you’re greeted with stunning coastal walks — or head inland for circular strolls. Take the coastal footpath and walk east up the coast towards Tintagel, which will take you past some fantastic beaches, often requiring a walk down to their sandy shores but certainly worth the trip. Head west along the coast in the opposite direction and up the footpath to Port Isaac for a great coastal walk that’s not too long or strenuous, just up to Port Quin and back again.

Between Port Quin and Polzeath is a fabulous stretch of the coast path, jutting right out into the Atlantic and offering some really spectacular views. All of the coastal footpaths are dog friendly, but there are some steep sections so make sure you keep the lead handy.

Beaches
Port Isaac harbour as seen from Forever Cornwall holiday cottages nearby

Port Gaverne and Port Isaac

With Port Gaverne beach literally on your doorstep, and Port Isaac beach just a 20-minute stroll, there’s no shortage of sheltered coves within walking distance. These beaches are small, picturesque and family and dog friendly — a great way to while away an afternoon at any time of year. Port Gaverne beach is flanked by Port Isaac headland and ‘The Main’ (Port Gaverne’s headland), which tend to protect the beach from the big Atlantic waves. Port Isaac beach has a breakwater, so is generally a calm harbour with picturesque fishing boats dotted around.

Beaches Padstow Area Polzeath 26 August 2016 2. Matt Jessop

Polzeath

An inspiration for poet Sir John Betjeman, Polzeath is a wide sandy beach about six miles from Port Gaverne. The village of the same name has plenty of restaurants and amenities to fuel a fun-filled day at the beach. With lifeguards on duty during summer days, a surf school on hand and plenty of rockpools to explore, Polzeath is the ideal place for a beach day.

Beaches Padstow Area Daymer Bay 26 August 2016 2. Matt Jessop

Daymer Bay

Daymer Bay is a very sheltered beach about 8 miles from Port Gaverne. It sits in a sheltered spot at the mouth of the Camel Estuary, with calm waters and a long stretch of golden sand, and was one of poet John Betjeman’s favourite locations in Cornwall — it’s not hard to see why. One of this beaches great features is that it’s dog-friendly all year round too — and the wide open space makes it perfect to tire a four legged friend out!

Trebarwith, Adamgibbard

Off the beaten track

Follow the coastal footpath to the east, or drive the road out of Port Gaverne and park up at Tregardock Farm. From here, it’s around a 20-minute walk and a bit of a scramble over some rocks to reach the sandy, quiet beach of Tregardock — be sure to check the tides beforehand! If you don’t fancy the walk, keep driving until you reach Trebarwith, with pub, shop and carpark, making it a little more family friendly and accessible — but a bit busier too. Both have an air of the undiscovered about them though, with waterfalls, caves and rockpools to explore, as well as being a little quieter than the likes of Polzeath.

Food & drink
Pub at Port Gaverne near Forever Cornwall holiday cottages

Port Gaverne eateries

Port Gaverne has an extremely good food offering given the size of this tiny hamlet. Two of the best are in the heart of the hamlet — The Port Gaverne Restaurant and Hotel and The Pilchard’s Cafe, both of them are just off the beach. The Port Gaverne Restaurant and Hotel serves up excellent gastropub food and fine wines, or rinse off sandy feet and call in at The Pilchard’s for some tapas-style light bites and freshly made lunches.

Port Isaac Outlaw's Fish Kitchen close to Forever Cornwall holiday cottages

Michelin-starred food

Neighbouring Port Isaac is filled with brilliant restaurants, but the most famous perhaps are those of Michelin-starred Cornish chef, Nathan Outlaw. The seafood tasting menu at Outlaw’s New Road is a real experience for anyone who appreciates good food — make sure you book in advance! If you’re after something a little more relaxed, wander down into the town to Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, where fishermen and local growers dictate the menu daily. Housed in a 15th century fisherman’s cottage, you can still expect white tablecloths and superb service but with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Angry anchovy Port Isaac Pizza

Laid-back dining

Follow your nose to popular Angry Anchovy and take a seat for excellent pizza and Cornish craft ale. This dog friendly restaurant serves freshly made pizza, and despite its name, offers plenty of non-seafood options, too. If you’re hankering after a crab sandwich, head to the top of the hill to Fresh From The Sea. Husband and wife team Callum and Tracey catch crab, lobster, mackerel and Cornish varieties of fish from their own boat and have been championing sustainable fishing practices since 2003.

Buying local in Port Isaac

This little town with two Michelin-starred restaurants is, unsurprisingly, one of the best places to get hold of fresh seafood. There are several fishmongers in this tiny village where you can pick up freshly landed fish, as well as delis in the centre and farm shops in the surrounding area.

Find out more about buying local in with our handy Local Food Guide to Port Gaverne and Port Isaac

Things to do
Port Gaverne Stand up paddleboarding Rock tors

Coasteering

If you’re after an injection of adrenaline, you’ll need to speak to Ben at Cornish Rock Tors. North Cornwall’s coastline lends itself particularly well to coasteering and other adventurous sea sports like kayaking, paddleboarding and wild swimming. Cornish Rock Tors have equipment to hire if you know what you’re doing, but we’d recommend getting Ben to show you around the Port Gaverne waters.

Matt Jessop VCL Statue Tintagel North Cornwall

Tintagel Castle

The English Heritage Site of Tintagel Castle is often portrayed as King Arthur’s birthplace, with its Dark Age ruins, rich history of royals and mystical feel. Cross the footbridge and climb the 148 steps up to the island and walk through the wooden door that opens out to the Grand Hall, built by the fist Earl of Cornwall. Immerse yourself in the legend of King Arthur with the story slabs in the medieval garden, the bronze statue on the headland and search for the wizard Merlin’s face carved into the cliffs on the beach below.

St Nectans Glen

St Nectan’s Glen

With an unmistakeable air of magic, this woodland walk with three waterfalls and hermitage are a must visit at any time of year and in any sort of weather. Park your car and walk 20 minutes into the woods to discover the first and biggest waterfall — at 60ft, this impressive waterfall has carved its own path through the rocks and tumbles down into the pool next to the pathway. Walk into the pool (if you forgot your wellies, the shop will lend you some for free) to really experience the magic of this waterfall – and make sure you don’t miss St. Nectan’s Kieve, the sacred hermitage next to the pool.

North Cornwall Padstow 24 August 2016 5. Matt Jessop

Padstow Foot Ferry

Port Gaverne to Padstow is a good 30-minute drive. Head to Rock, however, on the other side of the estuary and marvel at the millionaire’s playground. Hop onto the Padstow foot ferry that carries its passengers across the mouth of the Camel Estuary, past the Doom Bar and on to Padstow. The ten-minute journey is much shorter than driving to the town, and a much more entertaining mode of travel. The ferry goes every twenty minutes, usually from Rock but sometimes from Daymer Bay on a very low tide.

Guests Say
  • Amazing inside and outside

    I have never dreamed about such a lovely place. This cottage is outstanding. Amazing inside and outside. Fantastic view from kitchen. Very relaxing area. We definitely will come back.

    Agnes — October 2023
  • Outstanding

    Outstanding holiday at Rashleigh! We spent lots of time at the beach which was very fun! I am looking forward to coming here again.

    The Britton family — August 2023
  • Lovely place

    Lovely place to stay in one of the most beautiful bays in Cornwall.

    Richard — July 2023
  • Love, love, love the new bathroom

    Wonderful holiday again at Rashleigh! Love, love, love the new bathroom and multi-generational wet room shower. This is our 20th year coming to Port Gaverne for part of our summer holidays. We certainly hope to be back next year!

    The Clarkes — June 2023
  • Our favourite

    We love Rashleigh and had a super holiday here. It is our fourth time in Port Gaverne and certainly won't be our last. It is our favourite and suits everyone.

    Tim, Amanda, Eide & Ann — April 2023
  • Another super holiday

    A group of old friends who come to Cornwall regularly for an end of summer holiday. We visited the church at Tintagel and did lots of walks, from Rock along the coast path to Polzeath. We sat in the sunshine and had a very good time, thank you for another super holiday.

    Madeleine, Pam, Jean, Dave, Mike & Clive — September 2022
  • Patio area so lovely

    Wonderful stay, cottage was fab, lots of lovely evenings watching the sunset. Perfect location for paddle boarding! Patio area so lovely we ate outside every evening!

    The Moores & Smiths — September 2022
  • A delight

    Very comfortable cottage in a fabulous location. Perfect for us with a dog and two teenagers. Dog loved running around on the beach and dips in the sea. The sea facing patio was a delight for sundowners and cards. Hope to return again.

    Rob, Sam, Sophie, George & Mildred — August 2022
  • Very pleasant

    We had a lovely holiday staying at Rashleigh Cottage. Went on amazing hikes and bought excellent fish from the fisherman in Port Isaac. Very pleasant sitting out on the patio in the evening — actually stayed here 11 years ago, just didn't recognise the cottage since patio had been added! We will be back.

    Alyson, Hannah, Trish & Emily — June 2022
  • Perfect for families and kids

    Loved our stay, perfect for families and kids. The cottage was very comfortable with a lovely deck from which we enjoyed the sights and sounds, and of course the view of the sea! Recommend paddle boarding (hired kit in Port Gaverne) and surf lessons in Polzeath.

    Gayle & family — June 2022
  • Such a wonderful cottage

    Thank you for providing such a wonderful cottage. We have enjoyed every moment. Beautiful views and peace. We have been due to come since 2020 — certainly worth the wait. We will be back again.

    Aine, Dan & family — May 2022
  • Lovely

    Another lovely stay in Rashleigh. Nice to have milk and wine in fridge on arrival. Enjoyed wild swimming in Port Gaverne and spending time in other local towns. Lovely weather and amazing storms.

    The Thwaites-Gavey family – October 2021
  • Amazing

    We had an amazing time staying here this week! We stayed in Rashleigh last year and enjoyed it so much that we came back in 2021. We love being able to walk to Port Isaac and go rock climbing. Grandma is staying in Rose Cottage nearby and we can walk over through the gardens.

    Evie (age 10) — October 2021
  • Great week!

    Thank you for another lovely stay in Port Gaverne. We have had a great week!

    The Courts — September 2021
  • Nora — July 2021
  • Great outdoor seating

    We had a lovely stay with our family at Rashleigh Cottage. Great outdoor seating area with lovely views out to the sea. Lots of swimming in the bay, coasteering, kayaking and paddle boarding.

    The Harkness family — July 2021
  • Looking forward to the next one

    We first came to Port Gaverne in the summer of 1984. We loved it so much we've been back almost every year since. In 1996 we brought our one year old son; the next year he was joined by his brother. We've stayed in most of the cottages at some time or other — summer time, Christmas, New Year...Now it's just my husband and me again. The kids have grown up now but we've got Daisy the dog to keep us on our toes. Another lovely week in Rashleigh is now over but we're looking forward to the next one.

    The Bailey family — June 2021
  • Wonderful

    Had a wonderful week here as usual! Marvellous weather too! See you next year.

    The Jones' — July 2020
  • Weekend getaway

    Perfect cottage for a weekend getaway for a family birthday. Beach, cliffs, pub and good food all within a stone's throw. Many, many thanks.

    Jo & family — March 2020
  • Lovely stay

    Thank you for a lovely stay. We loved how close in proximity the property is to the beach. Perfect for kayaking, swimming and cliff/beach walks.

    Unknown — August 2019
  • The most wonderful week

    We have had the most wonderful week — great weather on all fronts and some spectacular sunsets. We have enjoyed swimming off the rocks, cliff top walks and runs and have enjoyed crab and lobster lunches! We had an amazing fishing trip from Rock one evening, was an amazing stay! Thank you.

    Unknown — July 2019
  • Just gets better and better

    We have been coming to Port Gaverne for over 23 years and it just gets better and better, the view is just outstanding! Thank you so much for letting us in your wonderful home!

    Unknown — July 2019
  • Divine!

    What a fantastic place to come back to each day, after visiting busy tourist spots! The peace and quiet here is divine! Every little detail has been thought of and we will be recommending to friends!

    Unknown — June 2019
  • We loved the cottage!

    We have had a great time and loved the cottage!

    The Riggott family — April 2019
  • Marvellous view

    We spent a wonderful holiday in a lovely cottage. We enjoyed the marvellous view out to sea each breakfast time. Thank you Rashleigh!

    The Freidel family — April 2019
  • Wonderful

    Excellent property in a wonderful location. Thank you!

    Mr Smith — July 2018
  • Perfect!

    Everything was perfect! Couldn't ask for more.

    Mr R Eastmond — January 2017
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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.

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