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DOG FRIENDLY COTTAGE, PORT GAVERNE, CORNWALL

Venus Cottage

A bright cottage with open-plan living space and balcony

Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms (+ cot) Friday arrival Up to 2 well behaved dogs welcome Short breaks available
The Retreat

Understandably one of the most popular holiday cottage in our collection, Venus sleeps four in spacious and bright surroundings. Here you can enjoy beautiful sea views from the first floor living area and private balcony. Venus Cottage offers a classic self-catering holiday on the ‘Doc Martin’ coast.

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

Venus Cottage has pride of place in our terrace of reverse-level cottages in the heart if Port Gaverne. It shares a similar layout to its neighbours Marigold Cottage and Courtyard Cottage, but with one elevation facing the sea it has the benefit of great views from its balcony so you can enjoy watching the comings and goings of the cove, and beyond that the beach and wild Atlantic. At the same time you’ll feel very much part of our seaside village community, close to the pub and café.

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

Venus Cottage is ideal for a family of up to four — but couples also love it for its exclusive feel and the benefit of being able to spend hours relaxing on the balcony. Dogs are very welcome here, especially as this is one of the few beaches in Cornwall that allows dogs all year round. You also have your own allocated private parking.

Interior of Port Gaverne self catering cottage from Forever Cornwall

In and around Venus Cottage

Six slate steps lead up to Venus Cottage from the quiet winding lane that runs between the property and the excellent pub. Venus is named after one of Port Gaverne’s old pilchard luggers — which also gave its name to the Venus Cellar from which these cottages were converted, and the heritage is very much in evidence. As you enter you are greeted by the spacious and bright interior of the open plan living area, with the kitchen-diner around the corner. A combination of carpets and stripped floors combined with an original open beamed ceiling add a touch of history.

Full-length double doors lead out to the balcony from the lounge, where you can enjoy stunning sea and beach views and watch the comings and goings of the cove. The balcony overlooks the pub garden — great on a summer’s evening for watching the world go by and the sun setting over the sea. Stairs lead down to the bedrooms, complete with spacious wardrobes. Through the King bedroom a patio door leads to the sheltered shared courtyard garden with a slate terrace, ideal for sunbathing and relaxing away from the beach. The twin bedroom opens out onto a slate patio opposite the pub’s beer garden. A family bathroom completes the accommodation.

Out and about

Venus Cottage is one of ten delightful ‘Green Door’ properties nestled in the beautiful, secluded cove of Port Gaverne on the north Cornish coast. Owned by the National Trust, this sheltered inlet has a small sandy beach at low tide, rock pools and caves, cliff walks with magnificent views and stunning sunsets. Port Gaverne is a popular destination come rain or shine. Take a look for yourself with our live Port Gaverne webcam. It’s just a short stroll from the famous 14th century fishing village of Port Isaac which you may recognise as Portwenn, the location of the famous TV series ‘Doc Martin’.

The South West Coast path is just opposite the property, and this entire stretch of coast has been designated 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. Or simply stroll out to the dramatic headland right here for a perfect evening view. Port Gaverne is also one of the top wild swimming spots in Cornwall, and you can hire kayaks and SUPs on the beach, so pack your wetsuit, wellies and sunscreen, and we’ll provide the fishing nets, body boards and walking maps!

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 to suit all tastes and pockets, including not one but two of Nathan Outlaw’s restaurants.

Bedroom at Port Gaverne self catering cottage from Forever Cornwall

Things we love…

Venus Cottage is comfortable and very relaxing. We love the abundance of original artworks, carefully collected by the owner’s family over many years, and the open beamed ceilings have been preserved in this building at the heart of Port Gaverne. But the star of the show has to be the view — as well as looking out over the sea and beach here you get a lovely sense of being part of the quiet coastal hamlet. Get some provisions in and it really doesn’t matter if you lose your car keys for a week — share a conversation with neighbouring travellers, enjoy the privacy of your balcony, have an evening BBQ on the beach, amble to the pub or café, stroll to Port Isaac to look for dinner, or hike the stunning coastline. Real holidays don’t get much better than this.

Venus Cottage sits in the terrace next to three other cottages; Marigold, Coutyard and Torca. Each one can accommodate four guests, so this makes a great option for holidaying with friends. Have a look at all of our Green Door cottages and apartments in Port Gaverne here.

A delight
What an amazing place to stay. Such a relaxing week. Everybody you meet is so friendly. Venus Cottage was a delight to stay in, amazing views, comforting log burner and beautiful walks on your doorstep. Definitely booking to come back next year!
The Polleys & Watsons — May 2023
Features

Retreat Features

  • Free Superfast Wifi
  • Private parking
  • Wonderful views from lounge and balcony
  • Miles of coastal walks on doorstep
  • Moments from the beach
  • Hop, skip and a jump away from the nearest pub
SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: king bed
Bedroom two: twin beds

Both with access to communal garden area or patio

All bed linen and bath towels provided
LIVING & RELAXING
Open plan lounge/kitchen/diner
Private balcony and patio area overlooking the pub beer garden and cove
Flat Screen TV
DVD player
Free superfast WiFi
Bluetooth speaker
COOKING & DINING
Well equipped kitchen
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Dining table and chairs for four
Tea towels provided
BATHROOM
Bathroom with shower, bath, hand basin, toilet
Bathroom towels provided
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
Friday standard changeover
Short breaks available, October - June. Changeover days are Monday, Friday and Saturday.
Check in after 4pm
Check out before 10am
OUTDOORS
Private balcony and patio area
Access to shared, enclosed communal garden
HEATING
Gas central heating throughout
Woodburner (free logs provided)
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 1 car
ACCESSIBILITY
These properties are two storey and are ‘reverse level’
Access to the front door is via steps
Stairgates are fitted at the top of each staircase
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 property 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
Guests Say
  • A really fabulous getaway

    Venus Cottage was beautiful, overlooking the bay and watching the waves from the view. A really fabulous getaway for a week. We especially loved to watch the sea with a cup of tea in hand. Loved walking into Port Isaac to grab a pasty whilst wandering the gorgeous town. (Got a sneak peak into the filming of Doc Martin too).

    The Bishop family — February 2022
  • A splendid Christmas

    We've had a splendid Christmas holiday staying in Venus Cottage — equipped with everything that was needed. The location is perfect — overlooking the sea and next to an amazing pub! We've walked the coastal path, tasted Tarquin's gin on a regular basis and enjoyed a fabulous Christmas lunch in the Port Gaverne Hotel. Thank you for making our stay so enjoyable. Would love to return during the summer months.

    The Vaughans — Christmas 2021
  • Enjoyed our stay enormously

    As always, we have enjoyed our stay enormously. We have been coming for over 35 years and it gets better. Had a wonderful break, with quite a lot of lovely sunshine too. We'll come again!

    John & Marilla — November 2021
  • A pleasure

    Delighted to find that nothing changes in Port Gaverne except the colours of the skies and the ever-moving sea. And what a pleasure to experience all of this from the balcony at Venus, where the surroundings are as beautiful as the views.

    Mr Stedall — September 2021
  • Fabulous

    Our first stay in Port Gaverne and Venus but definitely not our last! Fabulous location for sunsets from the balcony. The beach is great and we enjoyed all the water sports on offer, plus walking into Port Isaac around the cliffs. So much to do!

    The Perrett family — July 2021
  • Watch the world go by

    Perfect to sit on the terrace and watch the world go by. Busy little place considering the size of it which makes it fun. Ate at the hotel, enjoying locally caught fish including lobster. We we fairly unlucky weather wise but did observe one beautiful sunset — I can only imagine how stunning it would be after a dry sunny day.

    The Care family — July 2021
  • Wonderful

    Wonderful place to stay as always and plenty of memories made.

    The Hinsons — June 2021
  • Heaven

    Just one word — Heaven. Port Gaverne, though small is perfectly formed and manages to be very peaceful and calm. The cottage is excellent — everything you could possibly need is provided. Then there is the view from the comfy sofa out of the patio doors — wow! The colours, the sounds and the patterns of the sea and sky are just breathtaking whatever the weather. Thanks to all at Forever Cornwall and especially Mick. Hope to be back.

    Anne & Jon — May 2021
  • The most perfect of locations

    We have enjoyed a wonderful week in the most perfect of locations. The view across the cove is delightful — always something to watch, whatever the weather. Enjoyed some great walks — Tintagel to Boscastle must be one of the most dramatic. Having stayed in this cottage as a child in the 60s and 70s it is great to be back — really appreciate the comfortable furnishings. We will be back next year.

    Caroline & Jeremy — May 2021
  • Much needed break

    We've had the most wonderful and much needed break in this fabulous cottage. So peaceful and comfortable. Watching the sea in the day and evening has been so good for the soul. We can't wait to come back.

    Annie & Mike — April 2021
  • Beautiful views

    Lovely cottage, beautiful views. Thank you, we will be back.

    Tim, Maddy, Emma & Holly — August 2020
  • So special

    Another wonderful holiday at Venus. Thank you to everyone who makes it so special for us! This is my family's happy place; my boys have grown up holidaying here and it feels like every stone and flower holds a memory for us. My parents stayed in Rashleigh so it was extra special for us. Mostly just happy to be here, watching the sea, going on the beach and having family time! Thank you again everyone.

    The Brickland family — May 2019
  • First class accommodation

    This is excellent accommodation with amazing views over the sea, especially at night as the sun sets. A clean, bright and welcoming cottage that is equipped to an exceptionally high standard. The balcony is a great spot and there are some amazing local cliff walks. The Port Gaverne Hotel is an excellent place to chat and relax with friends, old and new. Altogether, it was a great holiday with first class accommodation and we will be back next year!

    Mr & Mrs Rodney — May 2019
  • Gorgeous

    Somebody has designed and supplied a gorgeous, comfortable place for us with everything that we could need. We love our time there. Thank you.

    The Russell family — June 2018
  • Ticks all the boxes!

    Beautifully appointed cottage with stunning sea views. Clean and comfortable. Ticks all the boxes!

    The Hogg family — June 2017
  • We thoroughly recommend this cottage

    We have been staying once or twice a year in Port Gaverne for some 30 years now, mostly in Venus. The apartment is beautifully equipped and furnished in a stunning position over the beach, but within a 15 second walk of the excellent pub next door which provides very good food, a roaring fire and a welcome for dogs. We thoroughly recommend this cottage.

    The Speller family — February 2017
  • A great stay

    We had a great stay at a great time of year — a bit quieter than usual, but that made it all the nicer. Venus was well equipped with everything we needed for a great weekend trip.

    The Badham family — December 2016
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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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