Devon and Cornwall, England's West Country: scintillating coastlines, bucket-and-spade seaside villages, wild moorland, secret valleys and deep, high-sided lanes. Cornwall's north coast is known for its sweeping surfing beaches and offers 60 miles of dramatic Atlantic Heritage Coast from Bude to Bedruthan – cliffs, coves, market towns, farmsteads and enchanting Bodmin Moor. Our favourite hotels are either dramatically sited on the coast or lost in countryside, many of them reflecting the region’s chic image while still providing endless summer fun for families;  others are cosy old favourites. The order by which the hotels are listed bears no reflection on our preference.

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  Bedruthan Steps Hotel

  Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

  Excellent family-friendly beach hotel - modern but with great beach views, two pools, a kids club and a spa.

  101 rooms from $225

  Child friendly  -  Wide range of activities for all ages.

  Views  -  Sweeping coastal views

  Kids Club  -  Fully staffed.

  Cooking classes  -  Check for timings.

  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide
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  St Enodoc Hotel

  Rock, Cornwall

  Breezy, family-friendly hotel with golf, and beach on the doorstep, in buzzy Rock. Sailing club and classes, rib rides and waterskiing.

  16 rooms from $419

  Exclusive offer  -  Seaside special

  Sailing  -  Rock sailing club a few yards away

  Child friendly  -  Childrens tea provided

  Restaurant  -  2 star Michelin

  Surfing  -  Polzeath is within walking distance, or a short drive
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  The Old Rectory

  Boscastle, Cornwall

  The house where Thomas Hardy met his wife, now a welcoming b&b - secluded, tranquil, romantic with seaview.

  4 rooms from $113

  Eco  -  Greenest' B&B in Britain 2012

  Garden  -  Attractive outside space.

  Surfing  -  Nearest surf beach Crackington Haven (10 mins)

  Great walks  -  Lots of great walks on the doorstep

  Recommended by  -  Fodors, Good Hotel Guide
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  Seafood Restaurant

  Padstow, Cornwall

  Breezy seaside rooms spread around 6 buildings, not really a hotel, an offshoot of Rick Stein's famous restaurant.

  39 rooms from $177

  Restaurant  -  Rick Stein's famous seafood restaurant, bistro and cafe

  Great walks  -  Great walks nearby, or take the ferry to Rock

  Four poster beds  -  Nearly half the rooms have four posters

  Fishing  -  Sea fishing by boat

  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
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  Botelet

  Liskeard, Cornwall

  Charming and off-the-beaten track farmhouse b+b, set in rural Cornish farmland, with self catering cottages and yurts.

  3 rooms from $113

  Restrictions on children  -  No children under 11

  Quirky  -  Shabby chic

  Full of character

  Secluded setting  -  For escaping.

  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
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  The Scarlet

  Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

  Relaxing, purpose-designed eco-friendly hotel overlooking Mawgan Porth beach, for fabulous sunsets. No children.

  37 rooms from $306

  Spa  -  Ayurvedic treatments

  Views  -  Great views from hotel

  Restrictions on children  -  Not under 16

  Full of character

  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
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  The Beach at Bude

  Bude, Cornwall

  Revamped B&B, now a boutique bolthole by the sea, overlooking the beach. Spacious airy rooms, a business centre and sun terrace keep all ages happy.

  15 rooms from $201

  Surfing  -  Surfing on the beach with plenty of room to store surfboards

  Views  -  Overlooks a beach on the Heritage Coast.

  Restrictions on children  -  No children under 12

  Seaside  -  Ideal for a seaside holiday.

  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

Written by  Fiona Duncan, posted Tuesday, 8th June 2010