A pair of authentic millstones stand subsequent to the doorway to this luxurious cottage positioned inland from the North Cornwall coast, west of Padstow and east of Newquay. But it surely’s solely a five-minute stroll, via a meadow designated as an space of excellent pure magnificence, to the browsing seaside. Fittingly, it is a dog-friendly seaside for a canine home.
These millstones are proof of a water mill whose historical past, till now, has been traced all the best way again to 1242. She is then romantically given as a part of a wedding contract to considered one of Cornwall’s nice households.
Simply past the present hut boundary is a slender packhorse bridge that may have carried the bottom corn on the primary leg of its journey to the previous coast street. The traditional leat, a watercourse which fed the mill in Tudor, Stuart and later instances, runs via the backyard of the cottage, crossed by a slender bridge. Inside, among the many picket beams and white stone partitions, vintage furnishings in darkish wooden offers a nod to the cottage’s historic heritage.
Welcome
Though we’re nonetheless over 100 miles away, we obtain a message that the cleaners have left and that the home is ready for us, just a few hours earlier than the deadline. The arrival directions give us the code for the important thing field.
Cottage
Porch pegs for coats and boot drying racks sign that it is a walk-in space first.
Then it is into the lounge with welcoming deep sofas, wooden burning range, bookshelves and DVDs. The cottage is distant, however cellular sign may be accessed with a contact of WiFi, and the big TV gives digital entry to leisure. An enormous, steady door separates the lounge from the kitchen.
The open plan eating room with two features can also be lit by two skylights. The big desk seats eight comfortably for informal lunches and lengthy dinners. Porthcothan Mill Cottage invitations visitors to loosen up, to decelerate.
Adjoining is a retro kitchen with a mid-Twentieth century metallic end. In response to the framed commercial of the approval of Gone with the wind star Vivien Leigh, the WH Paul built-in kitchen was the actual deal. Clearly, among the many cabinets of recipe books is Rick Stein’s Seafood Information. Championing Cornwall’s native meals heroes, Stein is taken into account a culinary saint in these components.
A spiral staircase leads upstairs to 3 bedrooms: two with double beds and one with two single beds. The decor on the theme of driftwood, shells and wicker reminds us that the ocean is a couple of minutes’ stroll away.
Though the home sleeps peacefully via its fifth century, the lavatory with a separate bathtub and bathe is distinctly twenty first century.
location
Tucked away on the finish of the alley, the home is way from the maddening crowd. You may hear owls hooting and maybe see deer working via the valley: though Padstow is simply a 15 minute drive away.
Padstow is a mecca for foodies with the chance to purchase the freshest fish, lobster and oysters.
The seafood bought by these fishmongers, together with bakeries and delicatessens, invite you to assist your self in Porthcothan Mill Cottage’s fantastically geared up kitchen. For the simplest self-cooking choice, select desserts which have gained the World Championship. A bit cream is a key ingredient in some pastries.
After all, Padstow is Rick Stein nation, and his seafood restaurant is only one of Padstow’s many eating places. And with Indian and Thai choices close by, there’s extra to this pretty harbor than simply fish and chips.
North of Padstow, Martin Clunes’ portrayal of the totally grumpy Physician Martin introduced fame to Port Isaac. Cornwall doesn’t flip off its allure on the final day of August both. In spring and autumn, when the seagulls outnumber the guests on the quiet seashores, when the roads are quieter and there may be extra parking, the county is usually at its greatest. Those that cycle alongside the camel path or stroll the coastal paths additionally admire the cooler temperatures.
From fifth to eighth December 2024, Padstow will host the Christmas Pageant. Though this system has but to be finalized, the emphasis is at all times on nice meals, nice music and purchasing on the Christmas market.
Different good issues
An outbuilding with a washer has been transformed right into a helpful facility for storing surfboards and cleansing up soiled canines after a clifftop stroll. The bathe is a spot to clean salty, sandy moist fits.
When serving the scones, which type a part of the welcome pack, bear in mind that is Cornwall: strawberry jam first, topped with thick candy cream.
By way of the five-bar gates there may be loads of parking for 3 or 4 automobiles, for mates or household gatherings in Porthcothan for a coastal escape.
Prices
Porthcothan Mill Cottage’s 2025 on-line reserving calendar is now accessible. Lodging for six begins from £800 per week. Out of season, minimal stays of two nights are doable.
The most effective half
Porthcothan Mill Cottage, and particularly its backyard of apple and ash bushes, is as a lot a dreamy mind-set as it’s a luxurious retreat.
All through the day, bluebirds, robins, pheasants, purple kites, dandelions and a household of woodpeckers present nature’s soundtrack as you loosen up on a solar lounger, take pleasure in lunch alfresco at a picnic desk or sit on a garden chair having fun with the bucolic splendor.
Closing verdict
Just some minutes from Padstow, the cottage is fantastically positioned for immersing your self within the many faces of Cornwall.
That is the place to let go of the world and soak up what Porthcothan has to supply: strolling, lastly taking that surf lesson, biking the Camel Observe, foraging for samphire with a purchased hake, catching up with household and mates for a brief break or just catching up on sleep beneath the darkish skies of Porthcothan.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Porthcothan Mill Cottage.
Did you take pleasure in this text?
Obtain comparable content material straight to your inbox.
Please allow JavaScript in your browser to submit the shape