When buying a holiday let in Cornwall, we always recommend that you buy somewhere you’d like to holiday yourself. But with so many locations out there, it can be a daunting prospect deciding where to buy.

We’ve picked our top 7 places to buy a holiday let, based on the locations of our top performing properties, google search volume and insight from Janine Woods, our Business Development Manager with 18 years’ experience working with holiday let owners in Cornwall.

Read on for our in-depth guide on the top places to buy a holiday let in Cornwall.

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Where to buy a holiday let in Cornwall

Use the quick links below to jump to a specific topic or read on for our guide on buying a holiday let in Cornwall:

• Our top tips for buying a holiday home in Cornwall
• Best places to buy a holiday home in Cornwall
• Value-adding features for your Cornish holiday let
• Next steps for buying a holiday home
• Introducing Cornish Cottage Holidays

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Our top tips for buying a holiday home in Cornwall

If you’re thinking of buying a holiday home in Cornwall, there are plenty of things to consider. Here are the top three things we believe you should think about before buying:

Location

As the saying goes – it’s all about the location. According to the Sykes Staycation Index 2024, Cornwall was the single most popular staycation destination in the UK. So, it’s hardly surprising that this rising popularity has impacted the attractiveness of holiday letting as an investment opportunity.

To ensure you receive the maximum number of bookings from your investment property in Cornwall, the biggest factor tends to be the popularity of the area in which your holiday let is located.

St Ives and Newquay tend to be popular with families, especially in the high season, while The Helford River and the Roseland Peninsula offer a longer booking season and are often popular with more mature guests.

Other popular locations are Mevagissy, Fowey, Porthleven, St Just, and St Agnes.

Parking

Many guests travelling to your holiday property will be coming by car. That’s why providing parking is essential and often a key deciding factor for guests when booking a holiday property.

We know that in some villages and towns, having a designated spot isn’t feasible. But it is worth checking whether you can organise a parking permit for on-street parking or local car parks to allow your guests peace of mind when staying at your property.

The View

No matter where you choose to buy your holiday home in Cornwall, the properties that generate the most bookings tend to be ones with a desirable view. This can include a view of the sea, a river, a valley, countryside, or even some kind of large outside space. You’ll want to think of your property as a destination in itself.

At Cornish Cottage Holidays, we’ve seen a 12.5% increase in clicks to pages on our website containing ‘sea views’. Other popular Google searches include ‘sea view apartments Cornwall’ and ‘holiday cottage in Cornwall with sea views’.

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Best Places to Buy a Holiday Home in Cornwall

We’ve examined several factors to find out the best places to buy a holiday let in Cornwall, including:

• The locations of our top-performing properties
• Google search volume for holidays in specific areas
• Insight from Janine Woods, our Business Development Manager, who has 18 years experience of onboarding holiday let owners in Cornwall

These are our top 7 places to buy a holiday let in Cornwall.

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1) Penzance and surrounding areas

Penzance and the surrounding areas of St Just, Newlyn, Sennen, and St Buryan are all excellent places to buy a holiday let.

This area is home to a large proportion of our most-booked properties, with an average of over 1,800 google searches a month for holiday cottages here. There is certainly demand for staycations in this area, and when you consider the relatively low average property price of £309,500*, buying a holiday let in the Penzance area makes a lot of sense.

This location offers a charming blend of coastal beauty, historic landmarks, and vibrant communities. These are all things that make this part of Cornwall a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.

Penzance itself offers visitors the chance to explore its rich maritime heritage through attractions like the Art Deco Jubilee Pool and the Penlee House Gallery and Museum. The town’s bustling centre is filled with shops, pubs, restaurants, and cafes, making it an ideal location for a holiday let.

Nearby St Just boasts a rugged landscape and mining history, with Cape Cornwall offering dramatic cliff walks and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Newlyn, Cornwall’s largest fishing port, is renowned for its fresh seafood and thriving art scene. With plenty of fish markets and galleries to explore, it offers a great base for anyone visiting the area.

Sennen and St Buryan offer glimpses into rural and seaside Cornwall. These areas are less built up and offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Sennen, in particular, is a popular destination for hikers and surfers due to its beaches and proximity to the South West Coast Path.

Whether you choose to buy a holiday let in Penzance, Sennen, St Just, or Newlyn, each offers its own unique experiences for visitors.

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2) Falmouth

The trendy town of Falmouth is a popular year-round destination, with holiday lets that receive some of our highest booking figures. Holidaymakers clearly love this area, with an average 2,900 searches a month for ‘holidays in falmouth’. The average house price is £401,282* at the time of writing, reflecting just how attractive a location this is for buyers.

Falmouth is one of the most well-known resort towns in Cornwall, and with a wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants, it’s a popular base for a holiday home. The many seasonal festivals including the Oyster Festival, Falmouth Week and a whole host of international sailing events, have really put Falmouth on the map.

With fantastic local attractions including Pendennis Castle, the National Maritime Museum, boat trips along the Falmouth Estuary, and so much more, Falmouth continues to be a popular holiday destination. Character-filled townhouses line the streets surrounding the centre of Falmouth, which are perfect for holiday letting. You can choose to keep the house as one or convert it into multiple apartments to increase your investment potential.*

There are also a handful of small villages in the surrounding areas which are worth considering. These include Mawnan Smith, Gweek, Constantine, Flushing, Mylor and many more.

*please note planning permission will be required. Please check with your local planning authority to find out more.

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3) Padstow

One of the pricier places for a holiday home on this list, Padstow currently has an average house price of £539,609*. There’s good reason for that though, with over 3,600 Google searches a month for ‘holidays in Padstow’ on average, proving this is a hugely popular staycation spot. Padstow is also home to our 3rd most booked property of 2023, Lantern Cottage, which saw a total of 60 bookings across the year.

Padstow is known by many as a foodie’s paradise due to its world-class seafood scene. But it’s not just the food that puts Padstow on the map. Its upscale experiences, picturesque harbour, boat trips, and stunning beaches make it a popular tourist destination all year round.

While property prices are some of the highest in Cornwall, its close proximity to breathtaking beaches and charming villages in North Cornwall makes it even more appealing. The town’s association with celebrity chef Rick Stein draws visitors from miles around.

With a wide range of properties including charming cottages, large family homes and unique boathouses, there is something here for all types of visitors, making Padstow a great location for investment potential.

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4) St Ives

When many people think of holiday letting in Cornwall, they think of St Ives. This upmarket, artsy seaside town has built up a brand over the years as a top Cornish holiday destination, and with good reason.

Properties here receive some of our best booking rates, and searches for holidays here are higher than any other location on this list, at 6,600 a month on average. However, St Ives’ fame has affected the price tag of holiday homes here, with an average price of £513,908*.

St Ives offers a dream location for holiday lets and proves to be extremely popular with tourists all year round. While property prices may be more expensive than in other areas of Cornwall, its high demand throughout the year means you can price yourself higher, gaining more rental income.

This captivating town boasts stunning beaches, a rich art scene, a charming harbour teeming with character, independent shops, and a wide range of delicious eateries. For those wanting to base their holiday in one spot, St Ives ticks all the boxes, so consider this when looking to buy a holiday let in Cornwall.

For those that want to venture further afield, St Ives is perfectly located to be within easy reach of surrounding beaches, walking and cycling routes, and various attractions.

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5) Porthleven

With an average of over 2,900 ‘holidays in Porthleven’ searches per month, Porthleven has some of our top performing properties. The average house price is lower than some previously mentioned destinations, at £384,636.

A holiday in Porthleven offers a wonderful escape from the stresses of everyday life and, as such, is a great choice for a holiday home. The harbour has lots to enjoy in all seasons; in summer it has blue tranquil waters, while in winter, when the wind blows, watching the waves and storms crash dramatically into the bay is a scene to behold.

The curve of the harbour wall is lined with whitewashed houses and traditional silhouettes, with the iconic clock tower standing in the centre of the scene. There are some fabulous independent shops, galleries and eateries here, making it a real foodie destination. On the far side of the granite pier, there is a lovely golden beach – the perfect spot for surfers and families at low tide.

Quaint coastal cottages line this harbour village and are certainly an attractive and memorable proposition as an investment property in Cornwall.

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6) Newquay

A quick walk around Newquay in the Summer months will show you just how popular this destination is for Cornwall’s holidaymakers. Newquay is also the location with the most traffic on our website over the last 12 months, and there are an average 3,600 Google searches a month for ‘Newquay holiday cottages’. Holiday home prices are low compared to other options on this list, at £336,107*.

Renowned for its world-class waves, stunning beaches, and lively atmosphere, Newquay attracts a steady stream of tourists, making it the ideal location for holiday let investment. When buying a holiday let here, consider that a lot of your guests tend to be families, groups of friends, and couples.

Aside from the surf, Newquay has plenty to offer including coasteering, quirky galleries, a zoo, stunning coastal walks, and plenty of eateries to please the tastebuds. Whether you’re looking for a townhouse with multiple bedrooms, a penthouse apartment with breathtaking sea views, or a cottage filled with character and charm, there are all sorts of properties that make great holiday lets.

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7) Camborne

Nestled in the heart of Cornwall, Camborne might not be the first place that pops up when considering a holiday let investment. However, this unassuming town offers a unique charm and surprising advantages for investors seeking a foothold in the Cornish letting market.

Two of our top 10 performing properties are in Camborne, while the average house price is just £217,849* – a lot cheaper than other locations in Cornwall. This makes Camborne a very attractive location to buy a holiday let in Cornwall.

Camborne boasts a relaxed pace and a rich history deeply rooted in Cornwall’s mining heritage. This unique character attracts a different kind of tourist – one interested in cultural immersion and exploring the lesser-known corners of Cornwall. Guests visiting Camborne can delve into the fascinating history of tin mining, wander through the scenic countryside, or embark on a journey along the dramatic Cornish coast.

The town is also a central hub that offers easy access to popular tourist destinations like St Ives, Penzance, and Falmouth.

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Value-adding features for your Cornish holiday let

The Sykes 2023 Staycation Index found these value-adding features made properties more appealing to potential guests:

• Outdoor Space: 32% of our guests said they look for a property with outdoor space. This is especially important if you are going to allow pets at your holiday home.
• Wi-Fi & Technology: Properties with Wi-Fi earn on average 26% more income and around 27% of guests say that having it is important to them. So it’s a worthwhile investment.
• Luxury amenities: Hot tubs, swimming pools, and log burners continue to be popular, with around 19% of guests booking properties with a hot tub. 89 of our top 100 booked properties across the Sykes family have a hot tub, proving this to be a highly sought-after feature.

Investment in any or all of these areas will increase your potential revenue and property appeal.

Convenient and accessible amenities

While some guests might like to get away from the hustle and bustle, we think it’s important to consider the practicalities of a property’s location. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• Are local amenities such as shops, petrol stations, and cash machines easily accessible?
• How long would someone have to travel to find emergency services such as hospitals, doctors, or vets?
• How close are pubs, restaurants, cafes, or takeaways?

As a general rule of thumb, if the amenities aren’t within walking distance, they should be no further than a 20-minute drive.

For more tips on buying a holiday home in Cornwall, read our full guide.

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Next steps for buying a holiday home in Cornwall

Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in buying, there are a few next steps you will need to make before you take the plunge.

Estimate your holiday let’s income

If you would like to know how much your investment will return, let us help you. We have been managing and marketing holiday homes successfully in Cornwall for over 50 years. This has given us the experience and knowledge to advise you on buying a holiday let and maximising the return on your investment.

Our Property Consultants are more than happy to give income and booking projections based on an online property listing you’re interested in. We can also work with estate agents to organise visits to a property you are thinking of buying, helping us provide accurate rental projections. Visit our Let your Cottage page to arrange a call with one of our Property Consultants.

Applying for a holiday let mortgage

When it comes to buying your Cornish holiday home, you may need a mortgage to finance your investment. Holiday lets tend to have different affordability criteria to residential properties, and often require a letter from a reputable holiday letting agent to confirm anticipated rental income for the low, mid and high seasons.

This is another area that Cornish Cottage Holidays are happy to help with. As a recognised source for lenders, we can provide a letter including an annual projected income to support your mortgage application.

If you’d like to find out more about holiday let mortgages, read our blog on financing a holiday home.

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Let your cottage with Cornish Cottage Holidays

With over 50 years of letting experience, Cornish Cottage Holidays prides itself on delivering the bookings your property deserves.

Whether you’re right at the start of your journey, looking for some additional help, or a seasoned pro, start letting your property with Cornish Cottage Holidays today and discover how a local brand with national reach can work for you.

Find out more about choosing a holiday letting agency in Cornwall by reading our blog or request your FREE owners pack today and get started with your letting journey.

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