Fowey Coombe Farmhouse

• With its own walled garden, and surrounded by woodland and countryside 

• Quiet coves and popular sandy beaches all within walking distance 

• Wander into Fowey, one of Cornwall’s most charming towns, and hop on the ferry to Polruan 

This classic stone farmhouse is a Grade II-listed building and at least 200 years old. The surrounding old farm buildings, including a dairy, cider house and piggeries, give it plenty of character. It was once the dower house – traditionally a home for the widowed mother on a landed ancestral estate - for the Rashleighs, a prominent family in the south west and in the nation’s history since Tudor times.

The people who have lived here have made changes over the years, but you can still see original features like the bread oven in the dining room’s huge inglenook fireplace. At night, retreat to the snug-like sitting room to sink into the sofas by the woodburner.  

Paths leading to the South West Coast Path are just beyond an open field in front of the farmhouse. Head to the beach through the orchard, recently restored with Cornish varieties, where a smuggler’s cache was once discovered. Carry on for about 10 minutes and you’ll reach Coombe Haven, a little-known rocky beach with a little strip of sand at low tide. Keep going for popular Readymoney Cove, a sandy beach with a moored platform and sheltered waters. 

Fowey has lots of independent galleries and stores tucked into its winding lanes, and plenty of places to eat or stop for a drink with views of the water. From there, take the foot ferry across to Polruan to explore another stretch of coast. You can reach Lantic Bay and Lansallos in a couple of hours. To go by car, drive onto the ferry at Bodinnick. 

At dusk, you might spot some of the rare species of bat that live in the surrounding farm buildings. The area is rich in wildlife and the money you spend on your holiday supports nature conservation in the area. Nearby meadows are being restored as part of a conservation project to create hectares of species rich grassland across Cornwall.  

Other holiday cottages in the area are Pont Pill Farmhouse (sleeps five), Pont Creek Cottage (sleeps three) and Mohun (sleeps two), all on the other side of the Fowey Estuary.