Planning a Cornwall summer break? South East Cornwall combines sandy beaches, charming harbour towns, scenic walks, and great local food. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer holiday, this Cornwall summer guide highlights some of the best places to visit, with Kernock Cottages providing an ideal base for exploring the area.
Key Takeaways:
- Cornwall in summer offers the perfect mix of beaches, harbour towns, and countryside escapes.
- South East Cornwall provides many of Cornwall’s best summer experiences without the busiest crowds.
- A 48-hour itinerary helps you make the most of a short summer break.
- Whitsand Bay, Fowey, and Charlestown are ideal summer destinations.
- Staying in self-catering accommodation offers flexibility during the busy summer season.
- Cornwall cottages with hot tubs provide the perfect place to relax after a day exploring.
How to Spend 48 Hours in South East Cornwall This Summer
If you have just 48 hours in South East Cornwall this summer, the good news is that’s more than enough time to pack in some genuinely memorable experiences. The secret is having a plan before you arrive, so you spend less time debating over the map and more time actually enjoying it.
Staying at Kernock Cottages puts you in a brilliant spot. Nestled in the rolling countryside near Pillaton, you’re within easy reach of the coast, the Tamar Valley, and some of the most characterful towns in Cornwall. Whether you’re here as a couple, a family, or a group of friends, this itinerary gives you a ready-made framework for two brilliant summer days.
Day One: Coast, Colour, and a Cornish Harbour Town
Morning: Charlestown and the Shipwreck Heritage CentreStart your first morning with a visit to Charlestown, one of Cornwall’s most photogenic harbour villages and a favourite location for period film and TV productions. The preserved Georgian harbour is home to tall ships, and in summer the whole place buzzes with a relaxed, unhurried energy that feels a world away from the busier tourist spots. Spend an hour wandering the quayside, then visit the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre, which houses one of the largest private collections of shipwreck artefacts in the world. It’s genuinely fascinating, and younger visitors tend to love it.
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Afternoon: Fowey by Ferry and on FootAfter lunch, head to Fowey (pronounced “Foy”), one of the most beautiful estuary towns in Cornwall in summer. Park in the main Fowey visitors car park, then explore the narrow streets, independent shops, and waterfront cafes at your own pace. Fowey is the home of Daphne du Maurier, and the town’s literary heritage adds a lovely layer to any visit. In summer, the estuary is busy with sailing boats and kayakers, and the views from the town’s higher streets out over the water are genuinely stunning.
Return to Kernock via the ferry to Bodinnick and take the short car ferry across the river.
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Evening: Back at Kernock, Hot Tub Under the StarsOne of the best things about staying at Kernock Cottages is returning at the end of a full day to your own private space. Several of our Cornish cottages with hot tubs give you the perfect way to wind down: a long soak with a cold drink, watching the evening light fade over the countryside. This is Cornwall in summer at its finest. No crowds, no noise, just the kind of slow evening that makes Cornwall summer breaks so memorable.
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Day Two: Beach, Cream Tea, and a Slow Cornish Finish
Morning: Whitsand Bay for a Summer SwimDay two calls for a proper Cornish beach morning. Whitsand Bay is a four-mile stretch of golden sand facing the open Atlantic, and in summer it’s one of the finest beaches in the whole of South East Cornwall. The water is clear, the waves are good for body boarding, and on a sunny day the whole bay turns a shade of blue that genuinely surprises first-time visitors. A word of warning: the steps down to the beach are steep, so go prepared. Wear decent footwear for the descent, bring everything you need for the day, and check the tide times before you go as the beach narrows considerably at high tide. Pack a picnic and make a morning of it. The South West Coast Path runs along the clifftop above the bay, so if the tide is up, a clifftop walk around Kingsand, Cawsand and Mount Edgcumbe with views across to Plymouth Sound is a perfectly good alternative. Planning a visit? Read our complete Whitsand Bay Dog-Friendly Beach Guide before you go.
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Afternoon: Kingsand and Cawsand for a lazy LunchSpend a lazy afternoon in the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, where time seems to slow the moment you arrive. Park up and wander down the narrow streets lined with pastel cottages, letting them guide you towards the water’s edge. Drift along the seafront, pausing to watch boats bob gently in the bay or to take in the views back across to Plymouth Sound or hire a paddle board. You might pick up an ice cream and sit on the beach, or stroll the coast path for a little height and perspective. When it’s time to eat, settle in at one of the village pubs or cafés – perhaps The Bay or Devonport Inn for something relaxed.
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The Cornish Cream Tea: Non-NegotiableNo stay at a holiday cottage in Cornwall is complete without a proper cream tea. Before you head home, stop at The Canteen at Maker Heights or the Orangery at Mount Edgcumbe and do it properly. The Cornish way: jam first, then clotted cream. This is non-negotiable. Devon does it differently. They are wrong.
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Your Last Evening: Make the Most of the Hot TubIf your stay allows for a second night, don’t rush the final evening. Our Cornwall cottages with hot tubs are at their best on a warm summer evening, with the countryside quiet around you and a glass of something cold in hand. It’s the kind of ending that makes you start planning the next visit before you’ve even packed the car.
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Eating Well: Cornish Food Worth Making Time For
One of the quiet pleasures of staying at a self-catering cottage in Cornwall is that you get to eat on your own terms. No fixed dinner times, no overpriced hotel menus, just good local food, at your pace.
Here’s how to do it well across your 48 hours:
Stock the cottage when you arrive. The Saltash area has a handful of independent farm shops and delis worth stopping at on the way in. Pick up local Cornish cheese, fresh bread, and something from the deli counter, and you’ve got easy suppers and packed lunches sorted without the faff of eating out every meal.
Build a beach picnic for Whitsand Bay. A cool bag packed from the cottage makes the whole beach morning better. Cornish pasties, local crisps, fruit, and a flask of something cold.
A slow supper back at the cottage. On at least one evening, resist the urge to head out. Pick up fresh fish or local meat from a nearby farm shop, cook something simple, and eat outside if the weather holds. With a hot tub waiting and the Cornish countryside quiet around you, it’s the kind of evening that makes the whole trip.
Explore the post Discover the Heart of Farm Shops.
Plan Your Summer Stay at Kernock
South East Cornwall rewards guests who arrive with a loose plan and the freedom to adapt it. The itinerary above works just as well for couples looking for a romantic escape as it does for families wanting a mix of adventure and downtime, or groups of friends who simply want to explore somewhere genuinely beautiful.
Our four holiday cottages in Cornwall sleep between two and six guests, with options ranging from intimate retreats to larger barn conversions. Every cottage on the Kernock estate is set within private grounds, with access to outdoor space and a private hot tub.
What makes a Kernock stay different is the base itself. You’re not in a holiday park or a town centre. You’re in the Cornish countryside, five minutes from the Tamar Valley national landscapes, with the coast, the river, and some of the best activities in Cornwall all within easy reach.
Ready to book your Cornwall summer break? Check availability at Kernock Cottages and plan your perfect summer in Cornwall.
FAQs
What are the best things to do in Cornwall this summer?
South East Cornwall offers a fantastic mix of activities in summer, from exploring historic harbour towns like Charlestown and Fowey to beach days at Whitsand Bay, kayaking on the River Fowey, and visiting the Tamar Valley AONB. For a full overview, see our top things to do in South East Cornwall.
Are there holiday cottages in Cornwall with hot tubs?
Yes. All of the Kernock Cottages properties include private hot tubs available year-round, including during summer stays. A hot tub is particularly popular after a long day out exploring, and the rural setting means you get complete privacy alongside it.
How far is Kernock Cottages from the coast?
Kernock Cottages is approximately 30 minutes by car from Whitsand Bay and Seaton Beach, and Rame Peninsula. It makes an ideal central base for exploring the full range of coastal and countryside activities in Cornwall in summer.
Is South East Cornwall good for a short break in summer?
Absolutely. South East Cornwall is one of the least crowded parts of the county in summer, which makes it ideal for a two- or three-night break. You get the full Cornish experience, including beaches, fishing villages, coastal walks, and great food, without the congestion of the more heavily visited areas further west.
