secluded

IF you want some ultimate seclusion right on the ocean, there is a holiday cottage you can rent in the UK.

Hallane Mill is in the village of Charlestown in Cornwall, near St Austell Bay.

And with Cornwall often being overcrowded and busy during the summer, the quaint house is ideal for escaping the bustle.

Sleeping four across two bedrooms, the cottage is down a short driveway so don’t expect to see anyone else around.

But the main attraction is the beach right on the doorstep, with the small rocky patch all to yourself.

Guests have exclusive access to it for everything from wild swimming to paddle boarding

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It has an indoor dining area as well as a outdoor alfresco table area with hammock and barbecue overlooking the ocean as well.

Even if the weather turns, most of the rooms have views of the sea including one of the bedrooms and a cosy window seat in the back.

The cottage even has a log burner for when you visit in the colder months.

Previous visitors have raved about their stay with many saying they had already booked to stay again.

One said: “This place is where you have to pitch your self to see if it is real.

“Along with the amazing service amazing location amazing cottage and to top it all of the wildlife owls woodpecker seals hawk bats see you next year.”

Another said: “We have holidayed in Cornwall for many years but have never quite found the accommodation and location that has everything we could ever have dreamed of until now.

“Hallane Mill was everything we could ever want and more. The property was exquisite in every way our little slice of heaven.

Stays start from £987 for a week stay, working out to around £35 each a night.

If you want to explore the nearby area, there is also the nearby Eden Project.

The nearest pub is The Ship Inn, just over a mile away which has a beer garden overlooking the harbour.

Otherwise you can explore the village of Charlestown, which is known for being the filming location of Poldark.

And it is even being currently used to film the newest series of Death in Paradise.

The historic harbour village is even home to the world’s biggest private collection of shipwreck artefacts.

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Here’s another fairytale cottage you can book in the UK.

St Just in Roseland is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, located just north of St Mawes and six miles south of Truro

This secluded Cornish retreat boasts stunning natural beauty and one remarkable historic structure just six miles south of the bustling tourist destination, Truro.

St Just in Roseland stands out as a charming village and civil parish renowned for its breathtaking church and surprising tropical surroundings. Positioned just north of St Mawes, this hidden gem is perfectly nestled along the Cornwall coastline, providing peaceful views far from the usual Cornish attractions.

What sets this location apart is its 13th-century Church of England parish church, referred to by locals as St Just’s Church. This ancient structure is positioned amongst waterside gardens that house some of Britain’s most unusual species.

St Just’s Church rests peacefully at the water’s edge of a tidal creek, resembling something from a storybook, sitting quietly alongside the Carrick Roads, away from the main village centre. The approach features a delightful pathway constructed from granite stones that bear inscribed Biblical passages and meaningful quotes.

The surrounding gardens burst with verdant palm trees, blooms, vegetation and more, forming an enchanting miniature wilderness around the ancient building. One TripAdvisor reviewer describes St Just in Roseland as having “tranquil” gardens that are “the most beautiful” they’ve encountered at any church, reports the Express.

Another delighted visitor said: “I have been to many wonderful churches, but this one is very special. For almost 1,500 years there has been a church on this site; even today there is a sense of peace and solitude.

“The graveyard is really a semi-tropical garden and compares well with some of the famous gardens in Cornwall.The church is relatively plain inside but provides a magic space to leave behind the modern world and all its troubles.”

Another visitor added: “This church and area are just so beautiful. The church and grounds are just so serene and peaceful and pretty. The views over the water from the church are beautiful.

“Lovely old graves and a well-kept graveyard. Definitely worth a visit if you love churches.”

The church interior welcomes respectful guests, serving as both a sanctuary for prayer and worship, plus a “place of respite” for the entire community.

According to its website, St Just in Roseland Church promises an experience “you will never forget you have visited”.

The site adds: “St Just church is open daily from 9am to 6pm in the summer and 9am to 4pm during the winter months.Please note there may be times when the church is closed – such as for a funeral or reflective service.”

The grounds also house charming Renwicks Café, which caters to both residents and holidaymakers within the subtropical gardens.

To find it, guests must venture beyond the main village along a narrow lane leading to the hillside church entrance.

While on-site parking is limited, roadside spaces offer an alternative for those travelling through.

Some Greek islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos, are brimming with tourists in summer and can get crowded so a travel fan has shared an alternative that is less busy but is just as beautiful

Brits with a love for Mediterranean getaways often jet off to Greece, particularly during the summer months. Seeking sun without straying too far from home, UK holidaymakers typically opt for Greek destinations, as most flights are under four hours.

Greece’s allure lies in its iconic white-washed structures, idyllic beaches, and a history steeped in ancient ruins. While many British tourists gravitate towards famed Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, these spots can become quite congested during peak season. However, there are lesser-known gems that offer equal charm without the crowds. Essex-based travel content creator Dorota Urbaniak shares advice, inspiration, and hotel reviews, with a particular fondness for European trips. In a recent TikTok video, she shone a spotlight on the island of Paros.

Dorota emphasised that “not every Greek island is busy in summer” by showcasing the serene atmosphere of Paros from dawn till dusk on a day during her visit.

Nestled in the Aegean Sea, Paros is celebrated for its golden beaches, lush mountainscapes, and villages perched atop cliffs.

Centrally located within the Cyclades Islands, it boasts numerous sandy shores, verdant peaks, and cliff-side hamlets.

The bustling hubs of Parikia and Naoussa are popular for nightlife, as noted by Greeka. These villages are full of “traditional taverns, luxurious restaurants and sophisticated bars.”

Holidaymakers who prefer tranquillity over loud music can explore the serene villages of Lefkes and Marpissa.

Dorota’s TikTok video, which features clips of Paros from 9am to 8pm, showcases the island’s peacefulness as she strolls down the streets and relaxed on a quiet, sandy beach.

She also highlights the white buildings, a seaside restaurant with outdoor tables, and vibrant flowers.

In her TikTok post caption, she notes: “I’m only saying…not every Greek island is busy in summer.” Her video portrays Paros as a relaxing and uncrowded destination.

Greeka points out that the island is renowned for its “stunning” beaches, including Santa Maria, Golden Beach and Kolymbithres, which are among the most popular.

However, the Greek tourism website also mentions numerous secluded beaches for those seeking privacy.

The weather in Paros is hot and sunny in the summer but mild in the winter, and it “gets very humid at night”, according to Greeka.

Paros is a prime spot for water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to the ideal wind conditions provided by the Meltemi winds, strong, dry, northerly winds that blow across the Aegean Sea during the summer months.

The island is easily accessible by plane from Athens International Airport and by ferry from the ports of Athens (Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio), Mykonos, Santorini Naxos, and many more Cycladic islands.

In the comments of her TikTok post, Dorota emphasised “not every Greek island is busy” and advised followers to “choose wisely.” A user said: “I need to go asap” while another labelled Paros as “amazing.”

Nanjizal Beach in Cornwall’s far west was ranked the second most secluded beach in the world by Sunsail, with the team analysing factors including accessibility and online searches

Cornwall’s Nanjizal Beach, nestled just south of Land’s End, has been named the second most secluded beach in the world by Sunsail. The team at Sunsail analysed factors such as accessibility, online searches, connectivity, noise and amenities to determine which beaches were the most secluded.

Beaches with fewer social media searches are considered less exposed, with experts concluding that “the less people likely to know about them”. Similarly, beaches with poor phone service also scored highly in the ranking – offering visitors a chance to truly “switch off”. “Each beach has been ranked against these factors and given a score out of 17,” the report explained.

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“The lower the score, the more secluded and remote the beach is.” Due to its remote and largely inaccessible location, Nanjizal Beach remains one of the UK’s most untouched beaches, reports the Express. However, with the rise of Instagram, it’s slowly gaining popularity among those keen to capture a unique photo.

Most of the time, the beach is usually only frequented by walkers on the coastal path. One of the intriguing features of this beach, however, is the colour of its water.

Cornwall Beaches describes the ever-changing nature of a local beach: “Situated at the end of a short, shallow valley, the beach changes from year to year.

“Sometimes the beach is a pretty boulder-strewn cove, whilst at others there is plenty of golden sand stretching right across the bay. One thing is constant though – the unusually clear blue water.”

The beach draws attention not just for its shifting sands but also for its intriguing caves, with the most famous being “Song of the Sea”. This cave is a natural wonder, bathed in light and home to an emerald lagoon.

Visitors can gaze out at the Atlantic from the far end of the cave, while also admiring the striking rock formation known as the Diamond Horse.

For those keen on visiting Nanjazil Beach, it’s crucial to prioritise safety. It’s advised to check tidal schedules and aim for low tide, as the beach significantly shrinks when high tide comes in.

To get to the beach, you can follow the coastal path from Land’s End, with Nanjazil lying about a mile to the south. Alternatively, park your car at Porthgwarra and enjoy a one-mile walk to this coastal gem.