Holiday cottage in Charlestown, Cornwall - Sleeps 4 (FCH43123)

This beautifully modernised stone former customs house, ideally sized for a small family or two couples, is in the village of Charlestown, home to famous Charlestown Harbour and Shipwreck Museum. Here you can wander the Georgian stone quays, used for filming the Poldark series, and see an ever-changing show of traditional and historic sailing craft large and small, from tall ships to local fishing smacks.

Here traditional solidity blends with modern comfort in a bright and simple style. There's nothing old-fashioned about furnishings and equipment, however. A modern open plan kitchen/dining/living area has everything you'll need including an inviting leather sofa, and the bedrooms upstairs are flexible for families – one can be king sized or twin.

The shower room is compact and smartly tiled. Exposed timber beams and natural materials anchor the design to the original structure. Clever use of exotic details evokes the romance of voyaging to foreign lands – appropriate in a village which celebrates the age of sail. The village's sandy beach is also within walking distance, and you've a choice of nearby shops and pubs.

St Austell, just 1 mile away, has excellent shopping and dining choices, and the South Cornish coast with its South West Coast Path has walks of breathtaking beauty and many attractions for day trips. The Eden project is just 3 miles away and will fascinate with its botanical wonders, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are within 7 miles.

For a different type of seaside town, Fowey 7 miles eastward is tucked inside a steep natural harbour. A National cycle trail can lead you to pretty Mevagissey in around 30 minutes if you're feeling energetic.