Stylish interiors mixed with restored original features, luxurious facilities and a knock-your-socks-off view is a winning formula in our books. And this Cornish beauty has got it down to a tee. Revelling in the glory of the Camel Estuary (an AONB), it sits among painterly coastal surroundings, with 14 acres of private land and estuary views to boot. The main property is a classically styled, four-bed Cottage dating back to the 1700s. There’s also a small-but-sleek one-bedroom Studio down in the garden, which can be taken as an add-on, or on its own in winter months.
Inside, they feel like antiques emporiums, with scattered vintage pieces, mounted oil paintings and battered leather armchairs. A distressed-wood grandfather clock stands in the Cottage dining room, apothecary drawers in its living room. This eclectic mix of styles - country cottage, New England home, North African souk – blends in perfect harmony. In fact, guests commented on the interiors so often that owner Liz decided to set up her own online shop featuring a handpicked selection of her treasures.
Guests at the Cottage get access to a showstopping infinity pool as well as a hot tub and tennis court. There’s a vegetable garden for pick-your-own produce, and a Scandi-style pool house with wetsuits and bodyboards to borrow. Take them down to the beach with you - Porthilly Cove is within walking distance. There’s no end of activities for families here: cycling, walking, surfing, birdwatching.
Highs
- Very stylish interiors featuring a curated collection of antiques, vintage pieces, woven fabrics and portrait paintings
- Set within 14 acres of landscaped gardens with gorgeous views of the Camel Estuary
- Set within 14 acres of landscaped gardens with gorgeous views of the Camel Estuary
- It works well for families, with 1-2 twin rooms, a well-equipped kitchen, mod cons, shared access to a swimming pool and tennis court, and a beach within walking distance
- The smart village of Rock (five-minute drive) has Michelin restaurants, white sandy beaches and lots of watersports; the South West Coast Path passes nearby
Lows
- The outdoor facilities (pool, tennis court, hot tub) are shared with the owner who lives next door
- Saturday-Saturday bookings only in peak months
- It's located on the outskirts of the village (Rock); you’ll want a car for getting here and for exploring
- The Studio is essentially an add-on to the Cottage; it can only be booked on its own in winter (and without access to the facilities)
- Note that the pool is open from May-October
Best time to go
North Cornwall's coastline is stunning whatever the season. May-September are usually the best months, but Cornwall's weather is unpredictable. Bear in mind the beaches can get busy in July-August. Winter, and especially Christmas, would feel warm and cosy here - you can make use of that roaring log burner in the Cottage.
Our top tips
Treat yourself to a celeb-chef dinner: in Padstow there's Paul Ainsworth's No 6 (Michelin star) and also runs the Mariners gastro pub in Rock, or Rick Stein’s Café (Bib Gourmand), while in lovely Port Isaac there's Nathan Outlaw’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Pre-booking is essential.
- Boutique rental (for 2-8)
- 4-bed cottage & 1-bed studio
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Tennis Court
Cottage
The ground floor of the cottage has an open-plan kitchen/dining area, a living room with log burner (firewood provided), a study, a utility room, and a brilliantly designed Snug come TV room that doubles up as a twin bedroom if needed. Upstairs, there are three ensuite bedrooms (two double, one twin/double), each with down bedding, White Company linen, and Balance Me toiletries.
Loaded with antiques, each room has a different style: the master bedroom has a coastal theme with dazzling pops of blue, the kitchen and dining room take on more of a New England vibe, the TV room is very twee country cottage. But you get plenty of mod cons, too, including a Rayburn cooker, a Sonos music system, a PS4, and three television screens.
Outside, there’s a terrace with outdoor furniture, plus gas and charcoal barbecues for summer months. You also get full use of the landscaped gardens, plus access to the infinity pool (May-Oct only; heated) with a pool deck, hot tub and views over the estuary.
Studio
The garden Studio is ideal for couples in the off-season, or for anyone requiring a bit more space alongside the Cottage (for example, if you want to use the downstairs room as a TV room). With just one bedroom (queensize double) and a beamed canopy ceiling, it's cosy, charming and secluded. The living space has a kitchenette with stove, fridge and dishwasher, plus a small dining table for two. There’s also an ensuite WC and shower room. Outside, you get your own little terrace with a bistro table, and an adjacent patio with sea views. We think it would suit grandparents, a nanny or a self-sufficient teenager.
In both properties, a welcome pack with tea, coffee, homemade jam, granola, freshly baked bread and cake, butter, milk and eggs is provided, along with basic essentials. For supplies, there’s a Spar in Rock or a Tesco in Wadebridge. Most supermarkets deliver. A shopping service, meal deliveries and private chefs can all be arranged on request – just ask owner Liz for details.
Activities
- Hit the beach: Porthilly Cove is a 10-minute walk away, Polzeath is a short drive away; both are sandy and lovely
- Wander in to Rock, a smart village with a few shops (including a fishmonger, butcher and deli), a bakery (excellent Cornish pasties), two coastal pubs and an excellent golf course (St Enodoc's)
- Take the ferry from Rock to Padstow, a much-loved Cornish town with cobbled streets, excellent restaurants and tempting boutiques
- Try a watersport of your choice: sailing, surfing, waterskiing, banana boat rides, wakeboarding and paddleboarding can all be done nearby
- Hike a section of the South West Coast Path, which runs right past the property
- Hire bikes and cycle the beautiful, flat and mostly car-free Camel Trail, which runs along a disused riverside railway line from Bodwin to Padstow
Kids
This is a great place for families. The Cottage sleeps up to eight guests, and you can rent out the Studio too if you need more space - for a teenager or grandparents, perhaps. There’s a whole 14 acres of grounds for playing in, lots of sandy beaches nearby (one is walkable), a tennis court on site, and a heated swimming pool (open May-Oct). For rainy days, the Cottage has a stack of books, toys, DVDs and games, plus a TV room with a PS4. No child will be bored here!
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The Cottage has two twin bedrooms - one upstairs with an ensuite, one downstairs with an adjoining shower room.
Kids Activities on site:
- Heated swimming pool
- Tennis court (coaching available on request)
- PlayStation & Sky TV
- Board games
- Kids wetsuits plus buckets and spades
Distances:
- Airport: 35 mins
- Hospital: 45 mins
- Supermarket: 5 mins
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Camel Estuary Hideaway is located just outside Rock, on the north Cornwall coast in southwest England.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Newquay; Exeter and Bristol are larger airports, and all are an easy drive away. Although it would be possible to take a taxi from Newquay, you'll want to hire a car for this rural area. There's free on-site parking.
By Train:
Bodmin and Newquay have train stations (four hours from London, two hours from Bristol).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Newquay 31.0 km NQY
- Exeter 134.0 km EXT
Other:
- Beach 2.3 km
- Shops 1.8 km
- Restaurant 1.8 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape