Distance from airport - 1 hour 20 minutes from Exeter airport, just over an hour from Newquay airport, 4 hours from London Heathrow airport. 5.5 hours by train from London Paddington.

Westcroft Guesthouse in Kingsand, Cornwall is top of my places to stay when COVID-19 is under control and we are allowed to roam a little more freely around the UK. This is my #happyplace and here are the reasons why… 

It takes a while to get to this 3-room dog-friendly British boutique hotel and that is half the beauty of it. I drove from Suffolk and got on the car ferry from Plymouth to take me across to the peninsula. Westcroft Guesthouse, owned by Dylan and Sarah, isn’t easy to find and isn’t directly accessible by car (another two brownie points!), however there is a small car park just a couple of minutes walk from the door.

I wouldn’t be exaggerating by saying Westcroft is a stone’s throw from the beach, you can feel the sea spray from the breakfast room which looks onto the secluded beach.

My favourite of the three rooms, is on the first floor, in fact it is the entire first floor. This four-poster haven is rather romantic with six plump pillows on the bed and it’s only little writing desk complete with pre-stamped envelopes and writing paper. Just past the bathroom is your very own large book-filled sitting room with bay windows overlooking the beach, this really is my idea of heaven. The attention to detail at Westcroft Guesthouse puts many larger hotels to shame with the latest selection of glossy magazines, exquisite bedlinen, fresh flowers at every turn and coffee and tea brought to your room in the morning, in warmed cups with folded newspapers! The Westcroft Gallery is next door selling beautiful work by Cornish artists and you might like to ‘borrow’ a painting you like during your stay and hang it in your room.

Style - Artistic British luxury

The minimum two night stay doesn’t seem to be enough, I wish they would impose three! Honeymooners will love the the romantic clocktower suite which spreads across the entire top floor of the house and features an antique French bed and large en-suite with underfloor heating and roll top bath, it's not so great if you are very tall! The Penlee Suite is on the second floor and is decorated with works by Dylan’s father renowned muralist Gez Taylor. The brass bed can be made into twins, and the charming en-suite bathroom has a claw foot bath and marble floor. During the summer months you can take over Westcroft Guesthouse as your very own self-catering hideaway for a week.

A hearty breakfast is served at the large round table in the dining room at whatever time suits you, Sarah makes a delicious watermelon and feta cheese plate and the poached eggs with kale and chilli are literally to-die-for. Join the locals and take a refreshing morning dip in the sea or grab a surf board and ride the waves. Whether you’re a keen walker or more of a gently wandering soul there are some great walks along the coastline to Rame Head where the views are stunning, in fact you can walk directly from Westcroft Guesthouse's doorstep. There are five pubs in Kingsand including The Devonport Arms which is just a hop and skip away which serves excellent pub food and welcomes dogs. There are other cafés and restaurants a short drive away from Westcroft Guesthouse, including the laid-back The Canteen at Maker Heights by ex-River Cottage chef Nick Platt.

Well behaved dogs are welcome and may stay for an additional £5.00 per night. Westcroft Guesthouse is the perfect retreat for dogs and their owners. It’s worth noting that the owners have their own dogs – two shy and impeccably behaved English Pointers.

Why Stay here - A little hidden gem you’ll be reluctant to share

Rates at Westcroft Guesthouse start from £130 per night, book here.