Crackington Hideaways

Near Bude, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £142 per night

Crackington Hideaways

Near Bude, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Expect fresh sea air, complete isolation and warm hospitality at these two gorgeous holiday cottages (for 2-6) on the North Cornwall coast

Expect fresh sea air, complete isolation and warm hospitality at these two gorgeous holiday cottages (for 2-6) on the North Cornwall coast

A stay at Crackington Hideaways is a remedy for the soul. Tucked away on a tranquil 200-acre working farm owned by the National Trust, the cottages stand alone on a clifftop in glorious isolation, with cows for neighbours and rolling fields for views. The highest cliff in Cornwall lies on one side of the farm towering above a hidden sand-and-shingle beach just below. Scenic walks criss-cross in all directions, and the village of Crackington Haven with its surfing beach and seafront pub is only a 20-minute stroll away.

The farm offers a detached cottage for six, which works well for families, and a snug cottage for two, which occupies a wing of the owners' 16th century farmhouse. Both cottages are incredibly spacious yet warm and cosy inside, with log burners in old brick fireplaces, squishy sofas and books of all kinds. We particularly adored the beautiful country kitchens, each with Italian slate worktops and exposed-beam ceilings. These are certainly houses for hunkering down in.

Owners Gayle and Henry live next door in the main farmhouse with their three children. He’s a third-generation farmer, having spent his entire life here, so the farm is a true labour of love for his family. Their passion shines through and they couldn't have been more welcoming. Kick off your boots, flick on the kettle and tuck into slices of freshly baked cake (complimentary for i-escape guests). For those craving a restorative escape, look no further!

Highs

  • Blissfully isolated on a quiet clifftop, with no passing traffic and barely another building in view
  • Stunning coastal walks in both directions – the South West Path is nearby
  • Incredible attention to detail in both properties, with lots of homely touches and attractive styling throughout
  • A choice of lovely beaches nearby: Strangles beach is quiet and almost always deserted; Crackington Haven, Widemouth and Bude are good for surfing
  • Very warm and welcoming owners who are passionate about sustainable farming and are on hand to help if you need them

Lows

  • The lane to the farmhouse is narrow and winding and you’ll definitely need a car to get here
  • Some might not like being so isolated, but that’s really what you’re here for
  • Although the farm is located right on the coast, you can’t actually see the sea from either property
  • The North Wing cottage has steep steps up to its bedroom: a little hazardous if you’ve had a few too many!

Best time to go

North Cornwall's coastline is stunning whatever the season. May-September are usually the best months, but Cornwall's weather is unpredictable. Bear in mind the beaches can get busy in July-August. Winter at Crackington would feel warm and cosy - you can make use of those roaring log burners (Henry can give firelighting lessons if necessary).

Our top tips

Strangles beach, just below the cottages, is very secluded and lovely for rock-pooling or a stroll - though beware the access path down is challenging.

Great for...

Beach
Eco
Family
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Boutique cottages
  • 2 cottages for 2-6
  • Self-catering
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car essential
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
Room:

Rooms

There are two options: the North Wing (sleeping 2) attached to the original farmhouse but has its own separate entrance, and The Cottage (sleeping 6), which is detached from the rest of the farmhouse.

With one bedroom, the North Wing is aimed at couples, but there’s a vast amount of space for two - you can each have your own living room if you want to! The main living room has a plump, cream sofa, great for watching films, as well as two comfy armchairs facing the fireplace. The second sitting room, or snug, is gorgeous, with flagstone floors, ancient beams, exposed brick, board games and books everywhere – this would make a lovely reading room. Steep stairs lead up to the shower room and bedroom, with a kingsize bed that can be split into two if desired. Outside, you get a charming, enclosed courtyard garden, with a table and chairs, sunloungers, potted plants, and a pretty flowerbed. Note that the garden is overlooked by the farmhouse, but the owners give you plenty of privacy.

The Cottage has far-reaching views over the hills and feels marvellously private. Although it has four bedrooms, the owners advise that no more than six guests should stay at one time in order to avoid feeling too cramped. The cottage has three double bedrooms (one can be set up as a twin) and one single bedroom, a large family bathroom with REN toiletries, a downstairs shower room and two living rooms with log burners, and an attractive country kitchen with a retro-blue cooker. It’s a clever blend of old and new, with ancient beams juxtaposed with modern wood floors and colourful, striped fabrics.

Features include:

  • Central heating
  • DVD player
  • Fireplace
  • Hairdryer
  • Toiletries
  • Tumble dryer
  • TV
  • Washing machine
  • WiFi

Eating

Both houses have smart kitchens with top-of-the-range appliances. They feature Italian slate worktops, Fired Earth tiling (striking ochre in the smaller house, pretty pale blue in the larger), big fridges, washer/dryers, dishwashers, and - in North Wing - Portmeirion crockery and Dartington crystal glasses. Basic essentials like salt, pepper and oil are provided, along with compostable coffee pods for Nespresso, tea bags and ground coffee. There’s also a barbecue for summer use.

For supplies, there’s a lovely farm shop near Boscastle, which sells local meat, veg, cheese and deli products; for more substantial shopping, there are supermarkets in Bude (20 mins’ drive). Most of them deliver. You can buy the farm's premium 100% grass-fed Ruby Red beef from the award-winning online butchers, Piper's Farm.

If you fancy eating out, nearby Crackington Haven has a village pub, the Coombe Barton Inn, and a couple of cafes. Bude has plenty more dining options – ask Gayle to recommend her favourite places. Or drive to Port Isaac (40 mins), where Nathan Outlaw serves Michelin starred seafood and Fresh from the Sea sells freshly caught lobster and the best crab sandwiches.

Features include:

  • Barbecue
  • Coffee maker
  • Dishwasher
  • Food blender
  • Fridge
  • Full kitchen
  • Hob or stove
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Toaster
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Walking here is beautiful. Hike a stretch of the South West coast path in either direction from the farm. The walks to Boscastle are particularly stunning (look out for seals along the way)
  • Hit the beach: Crackington Haven (5-min drive) has a shingle and sand beach that’s lifeguarded in the summer; Widemouth and Bude (20-min drive) also have wide, sandy beaches and lots of facilities
  • Experience the north coast’s excellent surf – boards are available for hire at Crackington; lessons are offered at Widemouth and Bude
  • Explore the pretty village of Boscastle, set in a narrow ravine, with a small harbour and quaint, thatched cottages, or head further west to legendry Tintagel and Port Isaac, the location for Doc Martin
  • Hire bikes and cycle a section of the scenic Camel Trail, which follows the course of a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow
  • Go fishing on boats from Boscastle, or try fly-fishing at Tavistock

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Cycling

Kids

The four-bed Cottage is ideal for families. There’s a single room for kids, and one of the double rooms can be converted to a twin. The kitchen is a good size for self-catering, and there’s acres of space outside for kids to run about. The area has a huge amount for families to see and do, with walking, cycling, surfing and swimming all popular activities. For rainy days, there are plenty of books and games in the cottage, as well as a TV. A baby cot is available, plus a high chair on request.

Best for:

All ages

Families Should Know:

The path down to Strangles Beach is challenging and swimming is not advisable

Distances:

  • Airport: 1 hour (Newquay)
  • Hospital: 20 mins (Bude)
  • Shop: 10 mins
Kid Friendly:

Location

Crackington Hideaways are on a farm just outside the village of Crackington Haven, on the North Cornwall coast. Bude and Widemouth are 20 minutes' drive away.

By Air:
The nearest airports, Newquay and Exeter, are about an hour's drive away. Bristol is two and a half hours, London Heathrow is four hours.

By Car:
You'll need a car to reach the cottages - see our rental recommendations. The cottages are four-five hours' drive from London. There's free on-site parking.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Newquay 52.0 km NQY
  • Exeter 105.0 km EXT

Other:

  • Beach 0.5 km
  • Shops 6.4 km
  • Restaurant 1.9 km

Rates for Crackington Hideaways

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