Escape to a bed and breakfast hotel in Cornwall and Devon

Explore the rugged north Cornish coast from Old Custom House, a peaceful B&B situated at the end of a little lane overlooking Padstow’s historic harbour. Inside, rooms are decorated in a modern, beachy style with nautical colours – upgrade to a luxury double for a roll-top bath and waterfront views. Treat yourself to a pampering session after your journey: try a facial with Dermalogica products or get beach ready with a spray tan.

Padstow is known for its seafood, but if you’re not heading to celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurant, you can find a fresh catch in the B&B’s own Oyster Bar and Grill. Try the grilled Cornish lobster with garlic butter and fries, washed down with a pint of the award-winning St Austell Brewery Ale. All the food comes from local fishermen and farmers, with seasonal specials to make the most of the West Country’s produce.

Start your day with a fresh fair-trade coffee and pastry in the Old Custom House’s Brewer & Bean coffee shop overlooking the quay. The town’s pastel houses and art galleries are on your doorstep and the sandy beach at St George’s cove is just half a mile’s walk. If you’re feeling more adventurous, hire a bike to explore the Camel trail along the estuary and into ancient woodland, or join a boat trip to catch your own dinner – as well as reeling in mackerel, cod and bass, you might spot seals and dolphins in the waters.

Spend a weekend in a converted chapel steeped in history. The Chapel Guest House at St Austell dates back to 1862 and its charming rooms feature the original arched windows with touches of stained glass, along with more modern amenities like free Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs. For a real treat, stay under the high vaulted ceilings of the former organ room with double aspect windows and views over the gardens.

Start your morning off with a home-cooked breakfast, included in your stay. Choose from a full Cornish fry up or delicious scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, before heading to the B&B’s secluded gardens – the ideal place to plan your day.

For family days out, visit the nearby Lost Gardens of Heligan, a romantic, 200-acre restored 19th-century estate, or the Eden Project. The pretty harbour town of Fowey is just a 30 minute drive away, along with beaches such as hidden Lantic Bay with its white sand and turquoise water. Or, take a 5 minute stroll down the shady, wooded lane to the Sawles Arms for a traditional Cornish welcome and a pint of the local ale in the beer garden.

Where better to head for a Cornish stay than the picture-perfect St Ives coastline? The Atlantic Bay is a couple of miles from the centre of St Ives and just moments away from Carbis Bay’s award-winning beach – with golden sands and calm waters, it’s ideal for families.

Unwind with a cup of coffee or a beer at The Atlantic’s decked terrace, gazing out to the ocean. Or retire to your elegant, individually designed room with its stylish feature wall – put your feet up and watch the flatscreen TV or just take in the gorgeous coastal views. Have an aperitif in the hotel’s sports bar before sitting down to fresh seafood or pasta in the restaurant. Or head next door to The Gannet, where an award-winning chef from the Carbis Bay Hotel has crafted a menu of British classics, such as roasted cod with cider-steamed shellfish.

St Ives is teeming with art galleries and gift shops along its winding lanes. Spend the day exploring them or head straight for the latest exhilarating exhibition at Tate St Ives. Explore further afield on the South West Coast Path – try taking in the breathtaking clifftop views and historic lighthouse at Godreavy headland – or tee off at Tregenna Castle Golf Club.

Once a paper mill, this historic redbrick building on the banks of the River Exe has been transformed into a luxury bed and breakfast. Take a wander around the gardens of Headweir Mill House Hotel and try to spot the old water wheel.

Inside your room – decorated in stylish, modern neutrals with an accent of sunshine yellow – make yourself a Nespresso coffee and check the weather using the fast fibre broadband. Take a look out of the window to see ducks and geese bobbing on the river.

For breakfast, lunch or dinner, head over to the adjoining Mill on the Exe pub: try the local Brixham crab with chorizo and linguine and don’t miss the summertime barbecues on the riverside terrace. With a location just 13 minutes’ walk from the cavernous medieval cathedral, Headweir Mill House is an ideal place to explore Exeter. Find a bargain at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, explore the ancient tunnels under the city (if you’re feeling brave), then head back to this elegant bed and breakfast to relax with a coffee in the conservatory.

Escape the city and unwind just moments from the Cornish coast at Chelsea House. Once the home of a Ship’s Captain, this impressive white townhouse now welcomes guests for a weekend of relaxation. Its style is right up to date, with mid-century modern furniture, bold pops of colour and prints celebrating musical icons.

Listen to the waves as you lie in bed in the morning wrapped in soft, feather bedding and Egyptian cotton sheets, or tune into your DAB radio as you get ready for a day exploring the town. Have your choice of breakfast – a full English, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or the continental, featuring pastries with Cornish cheese and charcuterie. Then, grab a book and stretch out on a lounger in the luscious garden or on your private balcony for an hour of complete tranquillity.

Just a 6 minute walk away, you’ll find Gyllyngvase Beach – an expansive stretch of sand and turquoise waters. Take the family rock pooling or try your hand at water sports from windsurfing to diving. Falmouth town centre is a 10 minute stroll for an afternoon exploring Britain’s nautical heritage at the National Maritime Museum. Stop by Henry VIII’s coastal fortress of Pendennis Castle before having a picnic among the sub-tropical plants in Queen Mary Gardens, overlooking the beach.

From the home-made biscuits and chocolates in your room to the complimentary cream tea for longer-staying guests, few places welcome you quite like Fernside Cottage. The 17th-century thatched cottage is surrounded by carefully tended gardens in mid-Devon’s rural splendour, making it ideal for a romantic escape.

Take your tea out onto the terrace to gaze out at the rolling countryside. Once you’re feeling refreshed, take a horse-drawn barge trip down the Tiverton Canal, less than 20 minutes away. Or take a longer excursion to explore the picturesque twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, connected by a funicular railway.

In the morning, wake up in Egyptian cotton sheets – rooms are simply decorated in classic English country style. Downstairs, there’s an award-winning home cooked breakfast, featuring fresh eggs from the cottage’s own hens. Later, try a classic pub lunch of home-made steak and ale pie at the Mount Pleasant Inn – it’s a 2 mile walk along country lanes if you like to work up an appetite. In the evening, treat yourself to a spectacular Michelin-starred meal at the Mason’s Arms, with dishes such as breast of duck with buttermilk potato gratin.