The best big cottages for a Cornwall family holiday
Date published: 15 Oct 2026
Cornwall is made for family holidays, especially when there are enough of you to fill a big cottage. Think beach days, long lunches, coastal walks and evenings spent swapping stories rather than trying to squeeze everyone around one tiny table.
The best big cottages in Cornwall make group stays easier, with flexible bedrooms, generous living spaces and plenty to keep different generations entertained. Some come with pools, hot tubs and games rooms; others win on sea views, countryside settings or beaches close enough for an early morning paddle.
Whether you’re planning a multigenerational break, a milestone celebration or simply trying to just get the whole family together, these Cornwall holiday cottages give you the space to do it properly.
Heron House, Newquay
- Sleeps: 14
- Pets welcome: No
Heron House gets the balance right between big-family fun and a seriously good setting. Overlooking the Gannel Estuary, this seven-bedroom stay comes with a heated outdoor pool, six-person hot tub, games room and private gym, plus direct access to the water.
The upside-down layout puts the main living space upstairs, where the estuary views get top billing. A huge terrace, barbecues and an Ooni pizza oven take care of sunny evenings, while one bedroom has its own kitchenette, giving grandparents or other family members a little extra independence.
Haye Barton Farm, St Ive
- Sleeps: 14
- Pets welcome: 4 dogs
If your family holiday works best with acres rather than neighbours, Haye Barton Farm has plenty of breathing room. The detached farmhouse sits among 115 acres of farmland and bluebell woods, with its own river, an enclosed garden and barns for table tennis and badminton.
Character comes in the form of an inglenook fireplace, wood-burning stoves and even an original well set beneath glass in the kitchen. The setting feels wonderfully tucked away, reached along its own track near St Ive. Bodmin Moor is within easy reach, while Cornwall’s coast and countryside give you plenty of scope for bigger family days out.
7 Bed Cottage in Ashton, Germoe
- Sleeps: 14
- Pets welcome: 1 dog
Some holiday homes give you a hot tub. This one keeps going. There's a heated outdoor pool, six-seater hot tub, sauna, gym, two games rooms and a cinema room, giving children, teenagers and grown-ups plenty to get stuck into when the Cornish weather turns (and it likely will...)
Outside, wraparound gardens offer several spots for eating and lounging, while Praa Sands, Porthleven and Hendra Beach are all within a few miles. If your ideal family break involves swimming before breakfast, table tennis before dinner and a film night without leaving the house, this place makes a convincing case.
Seawynds, Port Isaac
- Sleeps: 10
- Pets welcome: 2 dogs
Seawynds has the sort of sea view that can make a lazy morning even lazier. Set above Port Quin, this five-bedroom house looks across open countryside towards the coast, with a bright conservatory positioned to make the most of it.
A big garden and patio give everyone room to spread out over barbecues and long lunches, while the layout works nicely for extended families, with bedrooms on both floors and several en-suites. Port Isaac, Polzeath and Daymer Bay are all close by, so surfing, beach days and coastal walks can fill the daylight hours.
Westaway House, Port Isaac
- Sleeps: 13
- Pets welcome: No
Westaway House brings a little extra polish to a big family escape. Set in Trelights, just outside Port Isaac, it pairs sweeping sea views with a wood-fired hot tub and outdoor pool, so there is plenty to tempt everyone back from a day on the coast.
The pool house gives older children and competitive grown-ups their own playground, with pool, table tennis and air hockey all on hand. Back in the main house, six bedrooms, a generous dining space, sunroom and deck give the whole group room to gather without feeling crowded.
Harvest Barn, Week St Mary
- Sleeps: 8
- Pets welcome: Up to 4 dogs
Harvest Barn is a great shout for families who want countryside calm without giving up easy access to the coast. Set on a farm near Bude, it has a big open-plan living space and a private hot tub for post-beach soaking. The huge 360-degree wood burner in the middle of the room gives it plenty of character too.
Outside, there are meadows, woodland walks, ponds and private fishing lakes to explore. Deer and badgers sometimes make an appearance too, while the beaches and coves of North Cornwall are only a few miles away. It is an easy mix of slow countryside days and saltier seaside ones.
Endymion, Porthtowan
- Sleeps: 7
- Pets welcome: 1 dog
Endymion works especially well for families who want to swap car journeys for flip-flops. Set above Porthtowan, it puts the beach within walking distance while still giving everyone enough room to spread out once the towels, surf gear and sandy shoes make it home.
Ground-floor bedrooms make life easier for mixed-age groups, while handy storage keeps surfboards, boots and the usual beach-holiday clutter from taking over. Porthtowan’s broad sandy beach, surf and cafés sit just down the hill.
Penrose Cottage, Bude
- Sleeps: 10
- Pets welcome: 2 dogs
Penrose Cottage has the sort of big-family setup that works especially well when nobody wants to be on top of each other. There are five bedrooms, a cosy sitting room with wood burner, a bright sun room and a farmhouse-style dining room built around an AGA and a table made for long, noisy dinners.
Outside, the mature garden gives children and dogs room to roam, while the summerhouse and full-size table tennis table add a bit of extra entertainment. Best of all, Crackington Haven beach is only around a mile away, so sandy mornings and lazy afternoons back at the cottage are both very much on the cards.
Copper Tree, Newquay
- Sleeps: 8
- Pets welcome: No
Copper Tree is a smart option for families who want Holywell Bay practically on the doorstep without giving up plenty of space back at base. The house sleeps eight across four bedrooms, with three downstairs and a private master suite upstairs. That top floor is also where everyone comes together, with an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, a log burner and big bifold doors leading onto that lovely terrace.
And while the house is fantastic, it's the setting that really earns Copper Tree its spot on the list. You can be on the sand in moments, then back home for dinner with countryside views stretching across the fields around Holywell Bay. Newquay is only a short drive away too, giving you an easy mix of beach days and livelier outings.
When you have a big family group, a little extra room can make all the difference. Browse more big cottages in Cornwall and find a base with enough space for everyone, whether you're heading for the coast, countryside or somewhere in between.
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
