We recently spent a weekend at the very popular Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, located on the southern coast of Cornwall in the village of Pentewan, near St Austell. This five-star resort boasts its own private sandy beach and a wide range of accommodation options.

We’re no strangers to the Pentewan holiday resort, having previously stayed twice in a mobile home and once camping in a tent—but this time we finally experienced something we’d been eyeing up for years: the Pentewan Beach House!

In this review, I’ll share our thoughts on the beach house accommodation, what we loved, what could be improved, and what’s nearby to do during your stay.

Finally, Staying in the Pentewan Beach House!

Every time we’d stayed before, we admired the beach houses from afar. They’re positioned right on the edge of the resort near the beach and countryside, with stylish, modern designs that stand out. Our children often asked why we couldn’t stay in one, and the answer was usually down to the price. They are one of the most expensive accommodation options at Pentewan Sands, so we held off until we could justify the cost.

This year, we planned ahead and booked a weekend in June during term time, giving us a better price while still hoping for good weather. As we live in Cornwall, we were able to squeeze in a three-night stay and planned to get up early Monday morning to return home in time for school.

How Much Does a Pentewan Beach House Stay Cost?

For our three-night stay at the start of June, the total cost was £636, which worked out to £212 per night. That was during term time.

I checked the prices for peak summer, and the same beach house costs just over £1,900 for a seven-night stay during the summer holidays in late July and August.

Although it’s a big investment, the beach houses are in a prime spot and provide a memorable and comfortable experience, especially if you’re after something a bit more unique than a typical mobile home.

Be warned: they only have four beach houses, and they are popular for the peak seasons, so they advise booking quickly.

What We Loved About the Pentewan Beach House

Our first impressions were excellent. The beach house was modern, bright, and thoughtfully designed. It felt more like a stylish tiny house or a compact seaside chalet than a typical holiday park cabin.

Here’s what stood out:

• Unique and fun accommodation with a fresh, modern design.
• High ceilings in the living area and bathroom made it feel spacious and airy.
• Sleeps up to six people comfortably.
• Stunning views of both the beach and the countryside from multiple windows.
• Very close to the beach, making it easy to head out for a paddle or a walk.
• Private bathroom with a strong power shower.
• Novelty sleeping area for the kids: a bed up a ladder, which they found exciting.
• Large sofa and roomy living area for relaxing indoors.
• Cosy atmosphere, especially during the rainy spells.
• Clean and well-maintained when we arrived.
• Well-positioned windows made the most of the views and let in natural light.
• Clever storage solutions are built in under the stairs and to the sides of the sofa.
• USB phone charging points.

Pentewan Beach House Photos

What Could Be Improved at the Pentewan Beach House

Although we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, there were a few practical downsides worth noting, especially if you’re travelling as a larger family or group:

• The open-plan layout means there are no separate bedrooms. It’s fine for a family with primary school-aged children and preteens, but older teens might miss having privacy.
• The dining table and sofa convert into beds, which means you either need to make them up daily or leave them as beds, limiting your living space.
• No draining rack or space beside the sink for drying dishes, which made washing up a bit fiddly.
• Although bed linen is provided, you need to put on your own pillowcases and sheets.
• Towels are not provided, so you’ll need to pack your own.
• Guests are expected to strip the beds at the end of the stay. For the price, it would be nice if this was included in the housekeeping service.
• The fold-out sofa bed wasn’t very comfortable for adults, so that’s something to consider if you need all the beds.

Would We Stay in a Beach House Again?

Yes, absolutely. The experience was well worth it, and we’d love to return, especially just the two of us, as it would be a perfect romantic getaway and very spacious just for two.

It worked well with our children too (aged 10 and 13 at the time), but we do wonder how well it would suit families with older teens, given the lack of separate rooms. It was also good as we only stayed for a weekend – if we’d stayed longer, we may have become fed up with the lack of privacy.

That said, it was one of the more memorable stays we’ve had in Cornwall, and it’s something we’d definitely recommend as a treat or special occasion stay.

There’s a certain type of wow factor in these tiny houses, maybe because they are more of a novelty with a quirky design inside?

Why We Keep Returning to Pentewan Sands

There are many reasons we’ve stayed at Pentewan multiple times over the years:

• The private beach is a major highlight—ideal for kids to play, paddle, and explore the rock pools. Read our full Pentewan beach review here.
• The resort has everything on site, including an indoor pool, a restaurant and bar, takeaway food options, a well-stocked shop and a kids’ playground right on the beach.
• It’s clean, well-maintained, and feels spacious even when busy.
• The friendly atmosphere makes it especially suitable for families.
• For a more detailed look at the park’s facilities, see our full Pentewan Sands Holiday Park review.

Even after multiple visits, we never tire of it. The peaceful setting, family-friendly facilities, and beachfront location make it one of our top recommendations for a Cornish holiday.

Things to Do Near Pentewan

If you’re planning a visit, there are some excellent local attractions and walks within a short distance from Pentewan Sands. We’ve covered many of these on Travel Vixta, so you can find more tips and inspiration for your trip.

Pentewan Valley Trail

The Pentewan Valley Trail follows the route of an old railway line and is perfect for families. It’s flat, scenic, and runs through woodlands and alongside the river. You can hire bikes nearby or bring your own. The trail links Pentewan to St Austell and is ideal for a peaceful ride. Although we didn’t manage to ride our bikes down it this time due to mud and too many large puddles from the rain during our stay, we did walk down the bike path so far, and return along a small path alongside the river to Pentewan, which was lovely, peaceful and scenic.

Walk the Coast Path to Mevagissey

You can join the South West Coast Path right from Pentewan Sands and walk to Mevagissey. It’s a scenic two-mile walk with sea views and rolling hills. We shared our experience of walking the coast path to Mevagissey with kids on a previous visit – a route we’d definitely recommend and have walked a couple of times.

Visit Mevagissey

Mevagissey is a charming fishing village with a working harbour, independent shops, multiple eateries, boat trips and self-drive boat hire. It’s lovely to explore for an afternoon or evening. For ideas on what to do, see our guide to the best things to do in and around Mevagissey.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Just a short drive from Pentewan is the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan. These restored Victorian gardens are fascinating and beautiful, with a jungle section, rope bridges, sculptures, and formal gardens. We visited on a rainy day and shared our thoughts in this post: The Lost Gardens of Heligan in November. They also have an amazing Christmas light event – you can read my review of that in my blog post Heligan Night Garden Review.

The Eden Project

Only about 15 minutes away by car, The Eden Project is another must-visit. With its giant biomes housing rainforest and Mediterranean environments, educational exhibits, outdoor gardens, and adventure activities, there’s something for everyone. Read our full review and see visitor tips in this post: Eden Project Cornwall review and photos. Also, check out the Eden Project Christmas Lights.

Final Thoughts

Staying in one of the Pentewan Beach Houses was something we’d looked forward to for a long time, and it lived up to our expectations. The accommodation is comfortable, modern, and perfectly located just steps from the sand. Despite a few practical niggles, the overall experience was fantastic, and we’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something a little more special than standard camping or caravan stays.

Add in the location – right on the Cornish coast, close to beautiful cycle trails, cliff-top walks, and family attractions – and it becomes even more appealing. Whether you’re heading down for a summer break or a quiet weekend out of season, Pentewan Sands and the beach houses offer a unique way to enjoy Cornwall’s southern coast.

Have you ever stayed at Pentewan Sands? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.