Planning a foodie holiday? Discover 20 luxury homes in Devon and Cornwall

Chef’s kitchens, sea-view dining and great restaurants nearby

As experts in the luxury travel industry, we know that food plays an important part when planning a UK staycation. A lot of our guests are keen home chefs who need spacious kitchens to prepare family meals, while others prefer to have a choice of restaurants on their doorstep, or cookery schools nearby.

If you’re not sure where to holiday, or can't decide what type of house is best for your group, we’ve broken down a selection of our luxury homes that are best suited to foodie breaks. Here are 20 quickfire recommendations across Devon and Cornwall…

Homes with chef’s kitchens

Booking a private chef is by far the most popular experience that guests ask our Concierge team to arrange. Whether you leave all the details to your recommended chef for the evening, get involved with the menu planning or opt for an in-house masterclass, it adds an extra touch of luxury to any stay. 

Our team have been lucky enough to sample the work of our favourite private chefs, including Fiona Were at Noordhoek in Porthcothan and Vicky Geach at The Paddock in Trebarwith Strand. We asked them what makes each kitchen so perfect for keen home cooks and private chefs.

1. Noordhoek

"The spacious, open plan and modern kitchen at Noordhoek is an absolute dream for cooks of all levels of expertise. It's so well-equipped and features top end appliances, which are a joy to use. The Miele induction hob is large enough to accomodate up to eight saucepans at once - just brilliant when trying to juggle various dish components.

A large central island provides even more space and allows for plenty of conversations to be had while working on culinary creations. And I simply cannot tire of the incredible views across the bay from the kitchen window. Fabulous!" - Fiona Were of Chef Fiona NZ.

2. The Paddock

"Preparing food at The Paddock is great. The kitchen is well-equipped and spacious, which means private chefs like myself can prepare a wide variety of meals - from barbeques on the wonderful charcoal Kamado, to fine dining experiences. It's such a lovely location too, it makes going to work a joy!" - Vicky Geach of Cornish Delicacies. 

3. Ednovean House

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and nowhere is this truer than at Ednovean House. Way down west in Marazion, this large property promises an incredible setting for celebratory meals, whether it’s a big birthday or a food-filled Christmas. The open plan kitchen has social space in abundance, a huge central island edged with bar stools, plus views over St Michael’s Mount.

When it comes to the spec, guests can look forward to luxurious cooking and baking thanks to an American-style Fisher & Paykel fridge-freezer, a Miele double oven and a Siemens warming drawer. There’s also a built-in wine cooler for in-house tastings which can be recommended and arranged by our Concierge team.

4. Ferryside

Along the coast in Rock, the mid-century modern Ferryside is a real chef’s playground. The kitchen has a Gaggenau oven and induction hob, as well as a teppanyaki plate for creating Japanese-inspired dishes while sipping on sake.

The open plan layout means the whole group can socialise with ease; either at the central island by pulling up a rattan bar stool, or at the oak dining table which enjoys views all the way across to Padstow. 

5. Roscarrock

As seen in our extended professional photography, Roscarrock’s kitchen is another strong contender. Sleek and minimal in design, you’ll find it overlooking Porthcothan Beach.

Highlights include the Dekton Trilium kitchen island, Neff induction hob and built-in ovens, plus a Control4 touchscreen device that allows guests to customise their light and music settings for dinner parties.

Homes for dining al fresco

Eating outdoors can only be made better when there’s a view to savour alongside your meal. Thanks to their breath-taking coastal locations, a lot of our properties overlook sparkling ocean and sunkissed beaches and have sociable terraces for family supper.
 

6. Tamarisks

This house sits high above Hope Cove in South Devon, and its vast outdoor kitchen makes it a natural fit for pizza nights and barbeques. On summer evenings, watch the sun go down over the water and toast marshmallows on the fire pit – the tiered terrace garden transitions seamlessly from day to night. 
 

7. Eden

Over the Tamar in Downderry, our property Eden is complete with a covered dining terrace that looks out onto the Rame Peninsula. There’s a stable door leading straight out from the kitchen so it’s easy to transport sharing plates and trays of icy drinks in the summertime. The striking concrete dining table seats eight guests and there’s a laid back sofa set for after-lunch relaxation.  

8. Brynia

For those who dream of multi-generational feasts by the sea, Brynia in Daymer Bay provides a spacious garden where children can run free. There’s a large wooden dining table that looks out onto the rippling Camel Estuary, and just behind it sits the open plan kitchen with its freestanding island and range cooker.
 

9. Compass Point

Indoor and outdoor dining blend into one at Compass Point in Coverack. Slide open the bi-fold doors to reveal a kitchen-to-terrace serving hatch and built-in bar.

Chilled drinks, leafy salads and freshly landed lobster will become part of the everyday here, with never-ending ocean views providing quite the backdrop. At the bottom of the garden there’s a hot tub, fire pit and tiki hut, where couples and friends can take turns crafting cocktails. 

10. Panorama

Home to an outdoor kitchen with magical sea views, Panorama will be loved by those looking to escape the busy city. There’s a built-in bar and gas barbeque for post-swim tapas, and the whole terrace radiates an easy-going Mediterranean feel with its low-slung seating area and outdoor dining table. Peel open the sliding doors from the kitchen to welcome the summer breeze both inside and out.

Homes with restaurants nearby

Holidaying in Devon or Cornwall is sure to broaden your culinary horizons. The region is home to some of the highest quality ingredients and the most sought-after restaurants, many of which lie within walking distance of our luxury properties. Add a few more recommendations to your list with our tailored restaurant guides for Padstow and Rock.
 

11. Gwel Arvor

Sharing its Port Isaac home with a growing number of eateries, Gwel Arvor is a seven-minute walk from Outlaw’s New Road and two minutes from Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen. Perfectly placed for seafood-lovers, it has enviable sea views across two of its three floors, and a wood-clad hot tub for warm summer nights.

Discover more of Port Isaac’s best restaurants with our foodie guide, featuring a brand new addition for 2023.

12. Harbour Walk

Continuing our Cornwall theme, Harbour Walk was made for foodie staycations. Guests here will find themselves among the hubbub of Padstow Harbour just moments after leaving the house, so the car can be parked for the week and designated driver duties relinquished.

If you’re spoilt for choice, ask our Concierge team to book you a table at family-friendly restaurants like Greens, or chef-owned delights including Paul Ainsworth’s Mahe, the Michelin-star No6, and Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant. We’ve forged fantastic relationships with local contacts across the South West and North Cornwall is our speciality. 
 

13. Waterside

Lovers of the Salcombe coast will know that it’s a hotspot for outstanding food and drink. Our favourites include Crab Shed which sits on the edge of the estuary, The Winking Prawn opposite North Sands, and Island Street Bar and Grill near the waterfront.

A short walk from all three, Waterside is a stunning sea-view apartment that sleeps up to eight guests. It’s complete with a front-facing terrace for afternoon gin and tonics, and inclusive use of the Salcombe Harbour Spa is provided with every stay. Immerse yourself in the hydrotherapy pool, retreat to the sauna, or work up an appetite for dinner in the fitness suite – it’s yours to enjoy as you wish.
 

14. Shun Lee

High on the list for fine dining enthusiasts and loved by The Telegraph, Shun Lee is a real destination home. It sits above St Ives Harbour with views that stretch to Godrevy Lighthouse. Sleeping 14, its seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, cinema room and TV den make it ideal for large group get-togethers.

You’ll find great restaurants on your doorstep, like Porthminster Kitchen, The Loft, and Talay Thai Kitchen, but to celebrate special occasions, let us book your table at Ugly Butterfly in nearby Carbis Bay. With a menu as theatrical as its glass-fronted architecture and panoramic sea views, you won’t be disappointed. 

15. Little Polkerris

Fowey is a foodie’s dream, and one that pairs well with a stay at Little Polkerris. Our romantic one-bed hideaway is nestled into the Cornish countryside and soaks up magical views over St Austell Bay.

With taxis arranged by the Perfect Stays team as part of your booking, enjoy a candlelit dinner at Appleton’s in the heart of the town. Sample spectacular dishes like squid ink linguine, poached cod and saffron mafaldine with lobster, before retiring to the hot tub for a night beneath the stars. Get inspired for a foodie trip to Fowey with 11 more restaurant, pub and café recommendations.
 

Homes for foraging and cookery courses

Search for edible seaweed or gather fresh elderflower – foraging is a great way to capture a unique taste of Cornwall while on holiday. A lot of our guests are interested to learn more about the origins of their food when they stay with us, and we’re always happy to recommend local foragers and nearby cookery schools to bring their vision to life. Find more recommendations with our foraging guide.
 

16. Cornerways

The Roseland Peninsula is widely considered one of the best places to forage in Cornwall, which makes Cornerways in St Mawes a natural choice for a foodie break. Its location above the water provides guests both with elevated sea views and a short walk into town – you can walk to the harbour in little over 10 minutes.

Companies like Cornish Wild Food arrange guided walking tours nearby that explore the hedgerows and creeks of St Just, Pasco’s boatyard, Falmouth and Pendennis Castle. Or, book onto a cookery course with Philleigh Way in Truro. Their school is 15 minutes away by car and workshops include chocolate making, Scandinavian cooking, patisserie, pasta making and Asian cuisine. 
 

17. Gwelefan

Our first property in Porthtowan, Gwelefan lends itself to summertime forage and feast nights, like those organised by Porthtowan Beach Café. After a glass of prosecco on arrival, local foodies Tide & Thyme and chef Naoko Kashiwagi take to the kitchen to serve fish dishes, street food, cocktails and desserts all made with foraged ingredients.  

Back at the house, warm beach-weary limbs with a stint in the sauna or a dip in the hot tub. Afterwards, savour the sunset with hot chocolates on the balcony – Gwelefan’s far-reaching sea views promise to soothe the soul. 

18. Kilden Mor

Padstow is home to some of the county’s most iconic cookery schools. A stay at Kilden Mor means you’re perfectly placed to trial your favourite. From an enviable lookout spot above the water, guests can reach both Paul Ainsworth and Rick Stein’s cookery schools within a 10-minute walk. As well as a bright and airy kitchen, the high-spec home has a spiral staircase that leads straight down into the garden, terrace and hot tub. 

Meanwhile in town, the first of our top picks is Paul Ainsworth’s Mahe – a chef’s table turned cookery school and development kitchen. It’s an intimate experience that welcomes 10 diners to watch the Ainsworth tasting menu come to life, over cocktails and conversation with the chefs. 

Rick Stein’s immersive courses provide another fabulous option. Whether it’s the “Simple Seafood” workshop or a Mediterranean feast, courses range between one and four days. Some, like “Catch and Cook”, include a fishing trip with local Padstow fishermen, while others welcome Jack Stein into the kitchen for dishes inspired by his worldwide travels.

19. The Mouse House

If you’re holidaying in West Cornwall, don’t miss the chance to stay in picturesque Mousehole. Its sheltered harbour and buzzing fishing scene make it a memorable setting for a foodie escape at our sea-view cottage, The Mouse House. Sleeping up to eight, it sits just above the harbour and has a log burner for foodie nights in.  

Fat Hen Cookery run regular courses in and around Mousehole, designed to bring foraging and cooking together. Start the day filling baskets with edible flowers and seaweeds, before heading back for an in-house lesson. As well as the foraging guide, Fat Hen provide refreshments on the day, plus pickles and preserves to stock your larder. They also offer “forage and feast” events where a long coastal walk is followed by a delicious pub lunch – this year at The Gurnard’s Head near Zennor. For more inspiration, see our recommendations for where to eat in Mousehole. 
 

20. Overcombe

Rounding off our list is Overcombe in Bigbury-on-Sea. This spacious home commands some of the best views over Bantham and Burgh Island. It’s also not far from the South Devon Chilli Farm where you can pick up chilli plants to grow at home, or sample the spice in the on-site café. 

Across South Devon you’ll find Ashburton Cookery School and Chef’s Academy which offers over 40 courses, plus The Occombe Farm Cookery School in Paignton. This venue specialises in hands-on workshops designed for children, with regular bake-off competitions and bread-making workshops ideal for 9 – 12 year olds. 

Indulge in a luxury stay

Our holiday planning experts can help from the moment you book until the day you depart. Speak to us about in-house wine tastings, restaurant recommendations and cookery courses. They can all be arranged through our Concierge service, which is included with every stay.

Image credits: All images are our own.