Tuesday 5 April 2011

A room with a view…

There are many writers, artists and musicians who have been inspired by sea views - spy thriller writer John le Carre, for instance, lives in a rambling house at the top of a cliff near Penzance. Virginia Woolf wrote To the Lighthouse inspired by views of a beach near St Ives. 

The best coastal holiday cottages have uninterrupted views across blue waters and golden sand that will have you champing at the bit to get out for a barefoot walk in the morning. These two apartments were made for their coastal panorama and are both fantastic chill-out places to stay.

Fort Picklecombe was built in 1848 to protect Plymouth, so a clear line of sight over the waves was vital. The fort is now converted into excellent apartments but you still may see warships passing by the window as Plymouth is home to the largest Naval base in Western Europe. Not that you'd know it from the calm rock pool beach below Lighthouse View - a neat and stylish apartment, perfect for a breakfast on the balcony to soak up the stunning seascape. Beautifully kept shared gardens are an added bonus. Sleeps two.

Pentire, Newquay, enjoys the quieter side of the Cornish town famed for its beaches. Smart and sunny Pentire Heights Apartment is ideally located - it has no less than five sandy shores nearby. Its lovely long views are of Fistral beach, which is very popular with surfers and other watersports enthusiasts. Proximity to the coastal path makes this a great base for walkers, too. Sleeps five.

Take inspiration from our selection of West Country holiday cottages with sea views.
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