Langdale House

The scent of salt air drifts up from the Cornish coast as you settle into this year-round base just outside St Austell, where the twin comforts of a traditional guest house meet the adventure of sleeping in a camping pod.

This suits couples after a cosy retreat and small families who want a roof over their heads with a touch of outdoor novelty — the pods offer something different without going full canvas, while the guest house rooms give you proper beds and warmth in the shoulder seasons. You're in china clay country here, close to the Eden Project and the working heritage of mid-Cornwall, with both the north and south coasts within striking distance for beach days and cliff walks. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you're bringing yours along.

Wifi keeps you connected if you need it, and there's flexibility around campfires depending on conditions — just check when you arrive. The setup feels personal rather than commercial, the kind of place where you get a proper welcome and local tips over breakfast. Quiet, unshowy, and open all year when half of Cornwall shuts up shop for winter.