Merlin Farm Eco Cottages

Luxurious but laidback eco-cottages, a short stroll from a spectacular cove and close to some of Cornwall’s best restaurants

It was love at first sight when owners Darrel and Lucy laid eyes on this idyllic spot. Tucked away in the north Cornish countryside, Merlin Farm sits in the undulating hills above the tiny village of Mawgan Porth, where the rugged landscape is set against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Overlooking the Vale of Lanherne, a pretty wooded trail leads you down to Mawgan Porth bay, a wide but sheltered stretch of golden sand fringed by caves and rock pools, popular with surfers and families alike.

Once an old farm barn, Darrel has transformed the original structure into 3 stylish eco-cottages with floor-to-ceiling glass fronts giving spectacular valley-spanning views. Outside, each has a private space, with infra-red heaters for night-time stargazing and BBQ equipment in the summer months. Inside, no expense has been spared - designer pieces, underfloor heating, Smeg appliances. Egyptian cotton bedlinen and St Kitts Herbery toiletries in pretty blue-glass bottles make you feel like you’re staying in a boutique hotel but with the freedom and flexibility of self-catering accommodation. But best of all are the eco credentials: ground-source heat pumps, high-spec insulation, solar-powered hot water, wood-burning stoves... you can even bring along a tree to plant on the farm.

Watch our Merlin Farm video.

Highs

• Darrel and Lucy’s relaxed and friendly manner, and the lovely little extras they surprise you with, like freshly laid hen and duck eggs in the fridge
• Perfect for families: the cottages have loads of useful equipment; young children will love exploring the farm and petting the donkeys and rabbits; you're a 10-minute stroll from the beach
• Large open-plan kitchens kitted out with high-quality gadgets, utensils and dining equipment
• Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant is a 5-minute drive away and you’re close to Padstow’s plethora of fine dining options
• We loved the walk in drench-showers - heavenly after a long day at the beach

Lows

• The cottages are joined, but staggered and separated by high willow secludes for privacy
• You need a car to get to the local supermarkets so stock up on your way here or pre-order groceries to be delivered
• The driveway, steep in places, is not for the faint-hearted
• The path down to the beach is not lit so could be a bit hairy if you walk back after dark
• The WiFi can be temperamental