St Mawes takes the Cornish coast to a very classy standard; perching on the unspoilt Roseland peninsula, the surrounding countryside is outstanding. St Mawes is also well known for its foot ferry to Falmouth and is home to the best preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, St Mawes Castle.
Westward Ho! is one of possibly only two place names in the world that features an exclamation mark; it's almost impossible to say it without breaking into a smile. Once dominated by holiday camps, Westward Ho! has been updated in recent years and although it remains a lively resort, it now has a thriving permanent population. The big draw, of course, is the beach – two miles of sand stretching into the distance, backed by a pebble ridge that forms a dividing line between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park, a magnificent stretch of salt marsh, grassland and sand dunes.
Known locally as Hunston, Hunstanton is a delightful Victorian town with well kept esplanade gardens and famous red and white stripped cliffs. With pony rides, amusements, a summer season theatre and sandy beach, there is something for everyone here!
Beaches don't come any bigger than this – Woolacombe's sands stretch beyond the horizon in a perfect yellow arc. Surfing is the main activity here and this bay is a great place to learn, with consistent swell and a gently shelving beach. The town has a classic seaside feel, with ice cream parlours, surf shops and cafes serving fresh local seafood. There's an unhurried pace of life here that just begs you to unwind.
The quiet, unassuming sister of St Ives, Carbis Bay is only one mile west from its famous neighbour and overlooks the bay to the iconic lighthouse just off-shore at Godrevy Point, four miles further west across the golden sands of the Towans. Carbis Bay is a lot quieter all year round and boasts three of the finest sandy beaches in the area, Carbis Bay beach, Porthkidney Sands and Hawkes Point, perfect for families and couples. Or if you want to sample the delights of St Ives it delivers the best route in. Leave your car behind and catch the train or stroll along the coast path, you will not be disappointed as you round the final corner.
The charming village of Hinderwell is surrounded the beautiful North York Moors National Park and close to the dramatic coast. Close to Whitby and Staithes, Hinderwell is perfectly placed for exploring.
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
One of the few sheltered harbours on the north coast, Boscastle became famous in 2004 due to the devastating floods that swept through the village. The community has recovered remarkably well, and Boscastle is once more a thriving resort and a lovely village to visit.
On the fringes of the Quantock Hills, Nether Stowey is a village where rural community spirit is alive and well – perhaps the fact that three busy pubs still thrive here is testament to this. The most famous former resident of Nether Stowey is the legendary poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge; his passion for walking the hills and valleys of this beautiful countryside is commemorated in the Coleridge Way, a magnificent 36 mile trail that crosses the Quantocks on its way to Exmoor.
Situated at the head of Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, Hawes is a delightful, historic market town with charming sandstone cottages and a busy Tuesday market. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Hawes is well worth a visit.
A few years ago, the Classic Cottages team started writing about where we live and why we love it. Over time these have evolved into the Classic Guide.
23 September 2026
St Mawes takes the Cornish coast to a very classy standard; perching on the unspoilt Roseland peninsula, the surrounding countryside is outstanding. St Mawes is also well known for its foot ferry to Falmouth and is home to the best preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, St Mawes Castle.
17 September 2026
Westward Ho! is one of possibly only two place names in the world that features an exclamation mark; it's almost impossible to say it without breaking into a smile. Once dominated by holiday camps, Westward Ho! has been updated in recent years and although it remains a lively resort, it now has a thriving permanent population. The big draw, of course, is the beach – two miles of sand stretching into the distance, backed by a pebble ridge that forms a dividing line between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park, a magnificent stretch of salt marsh, grassland and sand dunes.
15 September 2026
Known locally as Hunston, Hunstanton is a delightful Victorian town with well kept esplanade gardens and famous red and white stripped cliffs. With pony rides, amusements, a summer season theatre and sandy beach, there is something for everyone here!
13 September 2026
Beaches don't come any bigger than this – Woolacombe's sands stretch beyond the horizon in a perfect yellow arc. Surfing is the main activity here and this bay is a great place to learn, with consistent swell and a gently shelving beach. The town has a classic seaside feel, with ice cream parlours, surf shops and cafes serving fresh local seafood. There's an unhurried pace of life here that just begs you to unwind.
22 August 2026
The quiet, unassuming sister of St Ives, Carbis Bay is only one mile west from its famous neighbour and overlooks the bay to the iconic lighthouse just off-shore at Godrevy Point, four miles further west across the golden sands of the Towans. Carbis Bay is a lot quieter all year round and boasts three of the finest sandy beaches in the area, Carbis Bay beach, Porthkidney Sands and Hawkes Point, perfect for families and couples. Or if you want to sample the delights of St Ives it delivers the best route in. Leave your car behind and catch the train or stroll along the coast path, you will not be disappointed as you round the final corner.
3 August 2026
The charming village of Hinderwell is surrounded the beautiful North York Moors National Park and close to the dramatic coast. Close to Whitby and Staithes, Hinderwell is perfectly placed for exploring.
1 August 2026
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
23 July 2026
One of the few sheltered harbours on the north coast, Boscastle became famous in 2004 due to the devastating floods that swept through the village. The community has recovered remarkably well, and Boscastle is once more a thriving resort and a lovely village to visit.
13 July 2026
On the fringes of the Quantock Hills, Nether Stowey is a village where rural community spirit is alive and well – perhaps the fact that three busy pubs still thrive here is testament to this. The most famous former resident of Nether Stowey is the legendary poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge; his passion for walking the hills and valleys of this beautiful countryside is commemorated in the Coleridge Way, a magnificent 36 mile trail that crosses the Quantocks on its way to Exmoor.
5 July 2026
Situated at the head of Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, Hawes is a delightful, historic market town with charming sandstone cottages and a busy Tuesday market. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Hawes is well worth a visit.