Places to stay on the Salt Path

Follow in the steps of Raynor and Moth – minus the wild camping – with our pick of stunning South West Coast Path accommodation

Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay, Cornwall

The folk at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa have curated a two-night break specifically designed to encourage guests to make like Raynor and Moth by unplugging from daily life and reconnecting with nature. The switching-off starts by immersing yourself in the signed copy of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn found in your room, before heading out on a coastal ramble in the footsteps of the protagonists.

Inspired by the hotel’s breathtaking South West Coast Path location, the Salt Path film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, and National Walking Month, Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa’s package includes a South West Coast Path walking map, dinner at two-AA-rosette restaurant Dune one evening, cocktails, breakfast each morning and 20 per cent discount off GAIA spa treatments at the hotel’s spa.

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Gara Rock, Salcombe, Devon

For laid-back coastal luxury in south Devon, Gara Rock is a destination hotel with a stunning clifftop restaurant serving refined seasonal dishes. Impressive floor-to-ceiling windows showcase unrivalled views of the waves below, making this a feast for the eyes as well as the belly.

A refreshed summer menu features fish specials that hero the finest locally sourced fish, caught sustainably from Devon and Cornwall. Pair it with a side of the hotel’s Gara Rock Gin, a special collab with Devon Distillery – masters of small-batch spirits – that captures the wild charm of the coastline. Slumber comes in the form of stunning suites or a plush penthouse. Whichever you choose, calming sea views and space to recharge come as standard.

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SeaSpace, near Newquay, Cornwall

SeaSpace – Cornwall’s first aparthotel – is all about the flex. For those who love the freedom of self catering but also don’t want to give up hotel-style perks, this is a spot where guests can enjoy their own apartment, cook and relax, or equally take advantage of the on-site restaurant and cafe, gym, fitness classes, pool and hot tub.

Those taking inspiration from The Salt Path book will relish the fact that this South West Coast Path accommodation is just across the road from the trail, so it’s the ideal base for a walking break.

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The Crow’s Nest, Lyme Regis, Dorset

For an unforgettable group getaway, book the whole clan in for a retreat at The Crow’s Nest by Lyme Regis Stays. This ultra-elegant and contemporary larch-clad property was designed with family at its heart, and puts nature front and centre. Situated in the private grounds and headland of Lyme Bay, this is a spot for soaking in the harmony of nature.

The open living space for cooking, dining and lounging is the real jaw-dropper, where sunlight floods in thanks to the vast expanse of windows. Enjoy uninterrupted ocean and coastal countryside views of Lyme Bay before pulling on your walking boots and hitting the South West Coast Path.

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Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes, Cornwall

In the Cornish fishing village of St Mawes, this whitewashed former yacht club is an enduringly popular bolthole for the well heeled and discerning. Both the restaurant and the 31 bedrooms enjoy sea views and are filled with antique and contemporary Cornish artwork, all carefully curated by legendary hotelier Olga Polizzi.

With nautical tongue-and-groove walls, a mosaic floor and a pelargonium-filled terrace, the restaurant is sun-drenched by day and candlelit by night. Its uninterrupted views extend towards Cornish landmark St Anthony’s Lighthouse. Stroll along the South West Coast Path to the nearby 14th-century church of St Just in Roseland, described by John Betjeman as ‘to some, the most beautiful churchyard on Earth’.

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Wildcomfort, Start Bay, Devon

Start Bay’s 15-mile stretch of epic coastline is a jewel of south Devon, and tucked within it, just a pebble’s skim from Blackpool Sands blue flag beach, is Wildcomfort’s South West Coast Path accommodation.

Comprising four Birdhouse cabins (including secluded new property Robin’s Nest) and The Lookout, the properties are hidden within a secret seaside garden woodland. Each has its own private bathroom and decking with magical views of the sea and woodland. For those who fancy switching off at a wild off-grid location without compromising comfort or style, this is a great choice. Potter a short way to find crystal waters, a beach cafe and sauna, and, of course, the South West Coast Path.

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Chapel House, Penzance, Cornwall

This Georgian townhouse hotel, perched above Penzance’s working harbour and comprising six spacious rooms and two beautiful suites, offers a comfortable and stylish space to unwind and explore the beauty of west Cornwall.

For those wanting to reset and soak in the beauty of the Salt Path location with water-health activities, opt for Chapel House’s bespoke wellness experience. These two-day packages can be personally tailored, but typically include two nights on a bed and breakfast basis (with unlimited homemade cake and tea/coffee, as well as an early evening drink), a guided early morning sea swim, a guided coastal walk with tidal pool swim and picnic, plus the use of hot tub and sauna.

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The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock, Dorset

Sitting on a cliff overlooking Dorset’s sweeping Chesil Beach and Lyme Bay, The Seaside Boarding House is a Jurassic Coast treasure for those seeking South West Coast Path accommodation. Inspired by classic British Edwardian hotels and the Cape Cod paintings of Edward Hopper, this antidote to city life was the brainchild of the creators of London’s Groucho Club.

This is evident both in the restaurant – which celebrates modern British cuisine and local produce with aplomb – and in the nine bedrooms, each of which captures the sight and sound of the sea, whether looking straight out across the water or along the clifftops to Golden Cap or the isle of Portland.

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Pier House, Charlestown, Cornwall

Following a devastating fire that caused extensive damage to the pub, St Austell Brewery spent millions refurbishing the iconic Pier House in Charlestown to give it a new lease of life. It reopened in 2024 and now provides luxe pub accommodation (which has claimed a spot on the The Times 100 top 100 places to stay in the UK list) and fine pub fare to those traversing the South West Coast Path.

The pub is perched right on the edge of Charlestown’s historic Georgian harbour, meaning stonking views of tall ships and ocean stretching beyond the curved harbour wall. Settle in, breathe in the salty air, then explore the rugged beauty of Cornwall’s shores with a tramp along the coast path.

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Champernhayes, near Lyme Regis, Dorset

Unwind in the countryside at Champernhayes, an attractively converted farm that can host up to 38 guests across six properties, each of which balances rustic charm with modern comfort. A stay at this bucolic idyll feels like its own little world, yet stay here and you’re just a few miles from Charmouth, Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast.

Whether you opt for a characterful cottage for two or the large barn for a big family get-together, each property is a delightfully rustic home-from-home perfectly located for a walking weekend. And any time not spent on the South West Coast Path can be used exploring Dorset’s Jurassic coast and countryside and historic buildings. The cottages are all dog-friendly and can accommodate between two and 12 guests.

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Enjoyed reading 10 of the best places to stay on the Salt Path? Discover 5 of the best Cornwall hotels to visit this summer here.

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