Trewornan Manor

Wadebridge, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £170 per night

Trewornan Manor

Wadebridge, Cornwall, United Kingdom

History comes to life in this super-chic and tranquil 7-room B&B; romance guaranteed

History comes to life in this super-chic and tranquil 7-room B&B; romance guaranteed

To quote the great Kevin McCloud, “The best homes are autobiographical.” But what if you’re the biographer and it’s the building’s story that needs telling? Dating back to 1211, Trewornan Manor is one of the oldest houses in the country, and one of Cornwall’s most significant. So, after purchasing it in a dilapidated state, new owners Paul and Lesley were faced with the immense task of unearthing its past while also writing its newest chapter.

With support from English Heritage, they delicately coerced the Grade II* listed estate into the 21st Century - and their attention to detail is impeccable. Original wood panelling and Lewis and Wood wallpaper now sit alongside emperor beds and rainfall showers - and in one bedroom you can still see where an 18th-century bride excitedly scratched her new signature into a window pane using her engagement ring. In the guest lounge, Paul built the coffee table using slate from the garden, and chose authentic Farrow & Ball shades to frame the crackling fire. We loved it.

Highs

  • Seven really beautiful bedrooms with emperor-sized beds, nespresso machines and homemade treats
  • Great value for the level of luxury provided
  • 25 acres of grounds including pretty gardens, a water meadow and woodlands; bring binoculars for bird watching
  • Adults only, and the whole vibe is relaxation. Enjoy long lie ins and lazy breakfasts
  • Close to Padstow, Rock, Polzeath and Watergate Bay for lovely beaches and fine-dining restaurants

Lows

  • Breakfast is the only meal provided, and you’ll have to drive to the nearest restaurant
  • Lundy and Harlyn lack the other rooms' grand proportions, though they are great value and certainly don't feel cramped
  • Fairly close to the road and you can hear traffic from some rooms, but it's hardly a thoroughfare
  • No check-in until 4pm

Best time to go

Any time of year would work. We arrived on a rainy blustery night in March and were instantly restored by the guest lounge's roaring fire. In the morning, springtime crocuses, bluebells, daffodils and primroses greeted us from under the garden's 800-year-old yew tree. And, of course, summer by the sea is heaven.

Our top tips

From the historic owners losing Trewornan to Cromwell (the cellar has never been found, and there’s a suspicion it was hidden with their riches buried inside) to the 18th-century bride's signature, this old house has many stories to tell - ask Paul if you want to hear more.

Great for...

Beach
Foodie
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Boutique B&B
  • 7 rooms
  • Breakfast only (drive to restaurants)
  • Adults only (flexible for whole-property bookings)
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car essential
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
Room:

Rooms

The rooms are named after local beaches. On our most recent visit we stayed in Finisterre, the sumptuous new suite with a lounge, big bedroom with dressing area and a separate entrance: perfect for couples looking for more privacy. Harlyn is the other newest addition, a cosy ground-floor room with a generous walk-in shower and private access from the courtyard.

Porthilly feels very romantic, with a pretty window seat and an enormous ensuite. Trevone is a large, south-facing room which also has a window seat with garden views. The largest room in the main house, Daymer, is full of original features: a cast-iron fireplace, characterful panelled walls and a large bathroom with a free-standing tub and a mirrored dressing area. Greenaway, housed in Trewornan’s old chapel, has lofty ceilings and a quirky shower room. Despite being the cosiest, Lundy is no compromise. Lawn views and a rainfall shower are accented by an OS map of Cornwall.

Features include:

  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • WiFi

Eating

Breakfast (included in the rate) is a delight. We piled our plates with continental treats, including homemade granola, pastries and fresh rhubarb compote, and then tucked into a Cornish breakfast (with hogs pudding) and eggs Benedict with a mustardy hollandaise. Try to nab the window table - light pours in through the huge sash and you’ll have the best chance of spotting hares and buzzards.

Being so close to Rock and Padstow (or, as locals call it, Padstein), Trewornan is ideal for a foodie weekend. As well as the Rick Stein empire, you’re within easy reach of Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin-starred restaurants. In Wadebridge, swing by the Saltbox shipping containers for finger-licking-good street food or Onda for Italian inspired sharing plates. Paul and Lesley also have a wealth of local recommendations beyond the big names and can book taxis if you don't want to drive.

In keeping with the spoiling vibe, you'll get a complimentary cream tea on arrival (jam first in these parts). Oh, and do try the home-bottled water, fresh from Trewornan’s own well.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Honesty bar
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Hit the beach at Polzeath or sprawling Watergate Bay, where there's a great watersports centre
  • Take the ferry between pretty Rock and Padstow - both coastal villages have charming cobbled streets, excellent restaurants and tempting boutiques
  • Hire bikes and cycle the beautiful, flat and mostly car-free Camel Trail, which runs along a disused riverside railway line
  • Wetland species are flourishing on the land in front of the house thanks to neighbouring Walmsley Bird Sanctuary, and the grounds themselves have hares, bats, a resident barn owl and buzzards
  • Ranked amongst the world’s top 100 courses, ardent golfers will relish St Enodoc’s challenging fairways and picturesque coastal setting
  • Explore the wider area with some of our Cornwall top tips - you’re just 30 minutes from the Eden Project

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Birdwatching
  • Boat trips
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Mountain biking
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife

Kids

This is an adults-only retreat, though the owners will accept children for exclusive bookings of the entire property.

Kid Friendly:

Location

Trewornan Manor is just outside Wadebridge, towards 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 parking at the B&B.

By Train:
Bodmin and Newquay have train stations (4 hours from London, 2 hours from Bristol).

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Newquay 23.0 km NQY
  • Newquay 125.0 km EXT

Other:

  • Beach 2.0 km
  • Shops 3.0 km
  • Restaurant 3.0 km

Rates for Trewornan Manor

Arriving on: