Holiday cottages

The South West region is probably England's most well-known holiday hotspot, being home to some of the most famous seaside resorts. Pretty villages and harbours in Cornwall, many with sweeping sandy beaches, such as St Ives, Polzeath and Port Isaac to name but a few, give way to sophisticated seaside resorts in Devon and Dorset which include Bournemouth, Torquay and Ilfracombe. The history of this region is unrivalled; Wiltshire's spectacular downland and the stone circles at Avebury and Stonehenge, through Hardy's Dorset, dramatic Dartmoor and gentler Exmoor, to the mining landscapes of Cornwall and West Devon, which are now recognised as being of international significance, having been awarded World Heritage Site status in 2006. The Trust protects 370 miles of the coastline in Devon and Cornwall and, wherever you are in the two far western counties, you're never more than 25 miles from the sea. As well as this peninsula, the Trust also cares for much of the countryside in Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset and a wide array of fascinating properties to visit and explore. Not surprisingly, perhaps, this area is also home to the widest selection of National Trust holiday cottages.

The north coast is where the tremendous force of the Atlantic Ocean crashes against the mighty cliffs of Cornwall. With waves incessantly beating against the rocks below, the coast path provides some of the best walking in Europe and dramatic views.

North Cornwall also boasts several fine, sandy beaches, with the same massive rollers providing some of the best surfing in the country. The Trust has 22 holiday cottages and apartments in this wonderful part of the county including three at Park Head, a remote headland just a mile to the north of Bedruthan Steps but only six miles from Padstow, and three at Pentireglaze, close to the sandy beach of Polzeath. Further round the coast are the dramatically situated Doyden House and Castle and the picturesque hamlet of Port Quin. Port Isaac, Port Gaverne and Boscastle are all charming villages with lots of atmosphere and perfect as holiday bases.