E8PG2W St Mawes, Cornwall, England, United KingdomJoana Kruse / Alamy Stock Photo
The combination of three fabulous hotels, a charming waterfront made up of pastel and white washed cottages and amazing sailing conditions make St Mawes one of the most popular fishing villages in Cornwall. Sailors come for the regular regattas and races, which culminate in the highly popular Falmouth Week in August. David and Karen Richards breathed some much needed life into the village with The Idle Rocks in 2013 and the more low key St Mawes Hotel in 2015 - perfect places to kick back with a sundowner after a day on a boat or the beach. Olga Polizzi’s Tresanton Hotel at the other end of the village has a high-end, Mediterranean vibe and has a wonderful view of St Anthony’s Lighthouse on St Anthony’s Head across the water. Those who don’t sail can catch the Plaice Ferry and walk to St Anthony’s Lighthouse or the St Mawes Ferry to Falmouth. The tiny St Mawes Castle has an excellent array of gift shops, and galleries provide other distractions for landlubbers. Rock poolers can stroll to Summers Beach and Tavern Beach. Ticky Hedley-Dent
