How to find charming Accommodation in Cornwall
You will hardly find any big hotel chains in Cornwall but rather charming B&Bs and small hotels. Here are my tips for accommodation in Cornwall.
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Accommodation in Cornwall
On my two trips to Cornwall, I have stayed in many different types of accommodation – from a luxury self-catering apartment, cosy bed and breakfasts to historic hotels. One thing is for sure – in Cornwall you will not find the big hotel chains such as Hilton, Marriott or Sheraton. It`s rather about authentic, smaller properties that range from a simple bed and breakfast to a fancy 5-star hotel.
I will introduce the properties I have stayed at from East to West. Let me be clear – for most of them you will need a car, given their pretty remote location. If you don`t like the idea of driving in Cornwall (left-hand traffic, sometimes pretty narrow roads), I can suggest The Elite Duchy Touring Company, offering tailor-made transfers and excursions and a friendly service. The best way to prepare your trip are these (free) maps which can be downloaded online.
Let`s start our journey in historic Launceston, a lovely village that is sometimes overseen by international visitors. Tiny little alleys with many bars, boutiques and restaurants and the remains of a medieval castle with breathtaking vistas.
Historic Accommodation in Launceston
Just next to it is the historic Eagle House Hotel, a beautiful Georgian building completed in 1764. The house was once used as a prison for Napoleonic naval officers. But – no worries, today nothing reminds you of a prison. It then became the home of several important families before it became a hotel and restaurant in the 1960s. In 2017, the Eagle House Hotel reopened its doors and the owners were granted a licence to distill gin on site. That was a pretty good idea! The gin tastings in the hotel are second to none. Did you know that cucumbers taste wonderful with a gin? I have learned this and many other things during a lovely evening, before a fantastic gourmet dinner in the hotel.
My room (one of only 14) was quite big, with a stucco ceiling, a wonderful bathroom and beautiful views over the hills. WiFi is free of charge and works well. My personal highlight of the Eagle House Hotel is the brand new terrace of the conservatory bar, overlooking the smooth hills – make sure to take your sundowner here, simply out of this world! The eagles who gave this lovely place its name (you cannot miss them on the entrance gate), were immortalised by the famous local Cornish poet Charles Causley.
The Eagle House Hotel
3 Castle Street Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8BA
Not to miss:
* Gin tasting at the hotel
* Climb up the ruins of the castle to enjoy stunning views
* Stroll through the alleys of Launceston
* Hiking on the nearby moors
We continue our drive towards the West Coast, specifically to Constantine Bay. Without any exaggeration, this is a little paradise. You can walk along the breathtaking coast for miles and miles, with access to awesome sandy beaches.
Luxury Lodges at Constantine Bay
Martha`s Orchard, a lovely complex of luxury lodges and houses in the middle of nature, is just a few minutes away from a golden sandy beach. My lodge consisted of three bedrooms (tough choice where to sleep…), a comfy living room with a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom. „If you feel like it, take a hot tub tonight. We will bring you champagne if you wish!“ says Rob, the Manager of this luxury complex. Sounds too good to be true! Before enjoying that, I have a look at all the awesome paintings by Rob... Britain`s got talent! I love his interpretations of beautiful Cornwall. Rob also shows me the houses at Martha`s Orchard – ideal for families and/or groups of friends. Elegant (and fancy!) furniture and decor and everything you need for your self-catering vacations with that feel of luxury. A supermarket is just a short walk away. You will get almost everything, including a great selection of wines and … excellent espresso! In a nutshell: Highly recommendable!
Martha’s Orchard
Constantine Bay,
Cornwall PL28 8JQ
Not to miss:
* A long walk around Constantine Bay up to Treyarnon Bay
* Excursion to the picturesque village of Port Isaac, the „home of Doc Martin“
* Stroll through Padstow and a sea safari with Padstow Sealife Safaris
* Drive down to Rock on the coast and enjoy snacks and coffee at the „Blue Tomato Café“
The area around Wadebridge is full of sights – from picturesque villages to awesome beaches. I have stayed at three lovely properties in this region the Brookfields Bed and Breakfast, the Pendragon Country House and The Olde House – all of them unique in their own way.
A very charming B&B
When you require a peaceful little haven, consider a few nights at the Brookfields B&B. This lovely little place in a very quiet and rural area provides quite modern accommodation. Make sure to rent a car. Port Isaac, Padstow, Wadebridge, and Rock are not far away. I almost fell in love with Sue, the charming lady who owns this place with her husband Ray. The view of the garden and the wide-open spaces is spectacular.
Don`t be surprised if two sheep come along, they are Sue`s best friends. She is a big animal lover. „I used to have chickens who provided 5-star eggs“, says Sue. When asking her if she also ate them she replied with a very definite „nooooooo“.
And her homemade breakfast is second to none, served in a nice room overlooking the beautiful gardens. Just perfect after a wonderful sleep! This B&B is modern and refreshingly different. And – I have heard there are plans for yoga lessons on site, offered by Sue`s daughter. A perfect place for some asanas for sure!
Brookfields Bed & Breakfast
St. Kew Highway
PL30 3EQ Wadebridge
instagram.com/brookfields22
Not to miss
* Have a drink and/or a dinner at the pub in St. Kew, a lovely village which is a 30-minute walk away from the B&B
* Visit the picturesque fishing village Port Isaac, the „home of Doc Martin“
* Drive to Padstow and take part in a marine excursion with Padstow Sea Life Safaris to see basking sharks, puffins, dolphins, seals and other wildlife (if you are lucky…)
* Visit Prideaux Place, a historic, castle-like manor where many TV films are shot
* Drive to Wadebridge, stroll around the downtown area (maybe with coffee at RELISH) and rent a bike for a ride on the Camel Trail
Gastronomic Delights in Cornwall
The Pendragon Country HousePendragon Country House, a five-star, award-winning guest accommodation, is a great choice to stay overnight. Located in a house built in 1871, this place is run by Nigel and Sharon, a friendly young couple and open all year round. Make sure to have dinner during your stay, the cuisine is just excellent (and „as homemade as possible“, as Sharon assured me. Here`s the menu I enjoyed so very much during my stay:
Baked Cornish blue cheese* mushrooms
Duo of Cornish sole with crushed baked new potato, steamed seasonal veggies and pan-seared Cornish asparagus
Chocolate soufflé
*The Cornish blue cheese was awarded as „best cheese in the world“ in 2010
Mouthwatering, right?
Pretty cool: the cosy self-service bar where you can help yourself with your favourite drink. And I can imagine how lovely it must be to sit next to the fireplace with a glass of wine on a chilly day.
The historic house is full of quality antiques and rich luscious fabrics, reflecting the origins of a fine country residence. I loved the old sewing and typing machines. The Pendragon Country House has a total of seven rooms, all different and matching the style of the house. My spacious bathroom had a very cool old bathtub and an almost historic toilet flush, loved it! A few weeks ago, Nigel and Sharon have received the Rose award for Recognition Of Service Excellence - kudos!
Pendragon Country House
Old Vicarage Hill
Davidstow Camelford
Cornwall, PL32 9XR
enquiries@pendragoncountryhouse.com
Not to miss:
* There are many dramatic beaches nearby. Trebarwith Strand is the closest, excellent for surfers, rock poolers, and swimmers!
* Walk along sections of the South West Coastal Path or the moorland area.
* A trip to the ancient village of Boscastle with its distinctive lookout point on the coast. Have a bite at the enchanting The Riverside.
* If you are a golfer, make sure to take benefit of discounts negotiated by the Pendragon. One of the best and closest courses is the historic Trevose Golf & Country Club which opened in 1925.
Staying at a farm
Have you ever stayed on a farm? If not, try The Olde House in Chapel Amble next to Padstow and Port Isaac. A totally rural area with bleating sheep and mooing cows. Two of them had a lot of fun on a meadow … no details as I am sure you know what I mean. The Olde House provides high-end self-catering cottages (make sure to buy your food in Wadebridge which is roughly 5 km away), an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and lots of animals for kids (and adults, of course).
That large Pig
Here I have seen the largest pig ever – ugly, grunting and eating grass all the time. City boy got very impressed although big piggy did not pay any attention at all! I also enjoyed the bird-watching place close to a pond where a beautiful swan had just given birth. Priceless! Make sure to rent a car. There is a small shop in the village of Chapel Amble close by which is good for convenience products but for a bigger food and beverage shops there are a number of supermarkets in Wadebridge.
The cottages are very comfy. Homemade meals can be ordered from a delivery service („Angels in the Kitchen“) – should you not be in a mood to cook yourself in the well-equipped kitchen.
The Olde House
Chapel Amble
Wadebridge
Cornwall PL27 6EN
Not to miss:
* Have a look at the little post office and shop in Chapel Amble (a 10-minute walk from the Olde House) which takes you back to the good old times
* Dine at the only pub in Chapel Amble – nice ambience, good food and a surprisingly good selection of wines
* Rent a bike in Wadebridge and ride the famous Camel Trail along the river
* Learn surfing (or improve your surf skills) at Polzeath, one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall (if not in all of England) with nice restaurants along the beachside. Non-surfers may just wish to walk along the beach and swim in the sea. I understand that former Prime Minister Dave Cameron and members of the Royal family come here to enjoy surfing.
* Daymer Bay is a large sandy beach, just perfect for a family trip to the seaside. The water is shallow and your kids will enjoy the little sea creatures in the rock pools.
A five-star B&B in Falmouth
Time to see a bit of Cornwall`s East Coast. Falmouth is definitely one of the most beautiful villages and the largest resort on the South Coast of Cornwall.
With its natural harbour, Falmouth has a long history in shipbuilding although today tourism is the most important industry. “Due to its university, Falmouth is open all year round, also in winter,“ says Renate, a German tour guide and together with her husband Shawn, co-owner of this charming 5-star bed & breakfast Dolvean House. A perfect and friendly place located between the beach and the picturesque town centre. Built in 1870, Dolvean House turned into a Bed & Breakfast in the 1960’s. Gradually Dolvean House has been adapted to the quality standards of Visit Britain and AA.
For over 20 years the house has been established as a five star Guest accommodation. Although the modern luxury interior has been added to over the years, the original Victorian features have been preserved wherever possible. The rooms are cosy and convenient. Breakfast in a very elegant living-room-like parlour is just fantastic. Many vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options available. At Dolvean House, you may not need a car due to the central location of this property. The lovely beach is pretty close. Public transport is great and the area is ideal for walkers.
Dolvean House
50 Melvill Road Falmouth, Cornwall, U.K, TR11 4DQ
reservations@dolvean.co.uk
Not to miss:
* Visit the historic Pendennis Castle overlooking Falmouth Town
* Visit the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth
* Enjoy some of the splendid gardens close by, such as Trebah, Glendurgan, and Trelissick
* Walk along the coastline, consider a swim (if the temperature allows) at the beach just next to Dolvean House
* Visit the neighbouring village of Mylor, a true paradise for sailing
A heritage house in the South of Cornwall
From Falmouth, the journey continues down South to the Lizard Peninsula, close to the South West Coastal Path, a paradise for hikers just a 10-minute walk away. The Chyheira B&B is a great place to explore all these sites on the Lizard and to hike the famous South West Coast path. 110 years old, this cosy little place offers three rooms for guests. “We get enthusiastic walkers here,“ says Roy who owns this heritage house with his wife Jane. And – he knows „his area“ like no one else. „For us, it was the beginning of a completely new life when we took over this place in March 2018“, says Roy. Ask him for secret beaches, he knows them!
In the morning, you get a full Cornish breakfast with fresh and mostly local goodies. Vegetarian and even vegan options are available. All three cosy and quiet guest rooms have digital TV and free WiFi.
Chyheira
Ruan Minor
Helston TR12 7LQ.
Not to miss:
* Stroll through the picturesque fishing cove of Cadgwith and enjoy lunch or dinner at The Cadgwith Cove Inn
* Drive to the Lizard village with great restaurants, pubs, cafés, and shops. Walk over to the Lizard lighthouse.
* Sip a coffee at Britain`s most southerly café, Polpeor Café or my favourite, the nearby Wavecrest Café with excellent espresso and stunning views over the coast
* Visit the Minack Theatre located on a cliff, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best open-air theatres I have ever seen.
* Drive to St. Michael`s Mount and enjoy a pasty at Philp`s Pasties in Marazion
* Visit Botallack, a former mining area with splendid views over the coast
I simply can`t wait to go back to Cornwall next year. It has indeed become one of my favourite travel destinations – and that says a lot. Breathtaking beaches, picturesque villages, lovely accommodation and one of the best climates in the world – what else can you ask for?
I will keep you posted about my next adventures in stunning Cornwall - stay tuned!
You will find more Cornwall articles here:
Thanks to Jonathan Cooksley for organizing the trips and shooting many photos!
Thanks to Barnett Photo Studio for some of the excellent images.
