Blow away the cobwebs with our edit of recently opened, design-led holiday homes on the British coast. By Jessica Jonzen
THE KITCHEN AT PLUM COTTAGE, ATLANTA TREVONE. IMAGE: WILL SLATER
There’s nothing quite like the British coast for clearing the head and lifting the spirits, whatever the season. Whether you’re craving bracing winter walks followed by fireside evenings or planning ahead for (hopefully) sun-soaked summer holidays, our latest travel edit brings together the newest holiday homes in Cornwall, Devon and West Sussex to have caught our eye. Each has been shaped by highly respected designers and selected as much for its beautifully considered interiors as for its coastal setting — spaces designed to help you settle in, slow down and truly switch off.
Plum Cottage, Atlanta Trevone, Cornwall
Plum Cottage is a newly restored Grade II listed house a short walk from Padstow harbour, and the latest opening from Atlanta Trevone owners Jess and Ash Alken-Theasby. Sleeping four, the cottage has been designed by HÁM Interiors with a strong sense of place, balancing its Cornish heritage with the comforts of a welcoming retreat.
Inside, the rooms feel layered and lived-in. Patterned wallpapers, warm colours and natural materials sit alongside antiques, open fires and shelves of books, giving the house real depth and personality. Inspired by the imagined lives of former residents, the design tells a story without feeling contrived — thoughtful rather than showy.
Perfectly placed for bracing coastal walks, beach days and Padstow’s excellent food scene, Plum Cottage works just as well for active days out as it does for slow mornings at home. You’ll leave reluctantly, but brimming with decorative ideas for your own home.
IMAGES: WILL SLATER OF PLUM COTTAGE, ATLANTA TREVONE
Three nights from £600
atlantatrevonebay.com
The Crows’ Nests, Glebe House, East Devon
Set within the gardens of award-winning guesthouse and restaurant Glebe House in East Devon, The Crow’s Nest is a new pair of cedar-clad cabins that feel both purposeful and personal. Once a family hideout, they’ve been reimagined by Akin Studio and Out of the Valley as design-led retreats that reflect Hugo and Olive Guest’s agriturismi-inspired approach to living on their 15-acre smallholding three miles from the Jurassic Coast.
Inside, the craftsmanship rewards attention. Reclaimed cheeseboards form kitchen cabinetry by local carpenter Will Mace; handmade ceramic lights from Studio Haran cast a gentle glow; and textiles by Tessa Layzelle and Dorset Projektityyny add colour and warmth. Olive’s artistic hand is everywhere, from a landscape-inspired kitchen mosaic to carefully chosen works by local makers.
Both one-bedroom cabins have a super-king bed, wood-burning stove and private deck with a sunken outdoor bath. A new wood-fired sauna overlooking the Coly Valley completes the offering — restorative, considered and rooted in place.
IMAGES: THE CROWS’ NEST, GLEBE HOUSE
Cabins from £325 B&B
glebehousedevon.com
Cottage Orné, Looe, Cornwall
Cottage Orné invites you to slow down and stay a while. Opening in January 2026, the 17th-century Cornish hamlet has been reimagined by owner India Serlin and her family as a restorative retreat centred on craft, creativity and connection, with interiors by Studio Alexandra.
The original farm buildings still reveal their past — ceiling hooks from a former cheese room, worn stone thresholds and barn doors now turned into windows — but they’re layered with richly expressive design. Expect bold wallpapers from House of Hackney and Living Quarters, bespoke upholstery, antique furniture and thoughtful lighting by Matilda Goad and Munro and Kerr. Bathrooms feature tiling from Artisan of Devizes and Mosaic Factory, while several of the cottages open onto private gardens or feature Japanese wood-fired baths.
Beyond the cottages, there’s a beautiful swimming pool (heated from May to September and used as a cold plunge during the winter), shepherd’s hut saunas, treatment spaces and a year-round programme of creative workshops. Designed for solo stays, families or groups, Cottage Orné feels generous, characterful and made for lingering.
IMAGES: COTTAGE ORNÉ
Stays from £150 per night
cottageorne.com
Cowman’s Cottage & Dairyman’s Cottage, Goodwood
Cowman’s Cottage and Dairymaid’s Cottage are the newest additions to the Goodwood Estate, and they make a strong case for the perfect West Sussex escape. Set within 11,000 acres of rolling hills and woodlands, these Grade II listed homes sleep six, combining tradition with the effortless comforts of a contemporary country house. Interiors by designer Cindy Leveson, who has worked with Lord March on Goodwood’s interiors for years, balance rich colour palettes, bespoke wallpapers from her own CL Collection, antiques and sumptuous beds, creating spaces that feel both stylish and lived-in.
What sets these cottages apart is the estate itself. Guests enjoy complete privacy alongside access to all the Goodwood Hotel amenities including dining at The Kennels, the estate’s private members’ club. From cycling, golf and clay shooting to flying experiences from the aerodrome and laps on the historic Motor Circuit, there’s no chance of feeling bored. A ten-minute drive brings you to the beaches of the Sussex coast, while iconic events such as the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood provide a seasonal draw. The perfect base from which you can be as active (or not) as you please.
IMAGES: MIKE CALDWELL OF THE DAIRY COTTAGES, GOODWOOD
From £500 per night
goodwood.com
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