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The Old School House

Falmouth, Cornwall
The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The sitting room and dining area at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The sitting room and dining area at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The kitchen at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The kitchen at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The double bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The view from the double bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The twin bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The twin bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The bathroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall
The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The exterior of The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The sitting room and dining area at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The sitting room and dining area at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The kitchen at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The kitchen at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The double bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The view from the double bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The twin bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The twin bedroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall The bathroom at The Old School House, Durgan, Falmouth, Cornwall

At-a-glance details

  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2
  • Preferred changeover day Thursday
  • Minimum stay 2 nights
  • Number of dogs welcome 0
  • Acorn rating 4 What's this?
  • Reference 011024
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Price guide

About The Old School House

Victorian school turned beachside retreat, full of original features and sea-view windows.

Make the beach your playground in this former Victorian school. Just below its walled garden, the shores gently sweep in and out, to reveal a small and sheltered beach. Built in 1876, the shutter-windowed stone cottage sits on the north bank of the Helford River estuary with views of the waters from its windows. After a careful restoration, the two-bedroom cottage reveals a modern interior with historic character. Exposed beams, wood panelled walls and a log-burner are met by contemporary furnishings.

The Old School House sits at the edge of Durgan village, with only a handful of cottages around. Sheltered from Atlantic gales, you’ll have the benefit of being in one of the mildest corners of the country, with a south-facing beach just outside your door. 

The South West Coast Path runs through the village, offering links to vast stretches of coastline. Head east from Durgan along the river and out to Falmouth bay. Head west from Durgan along the Helford Passage, where a passenger ferry runs across the river to the idyllic Helford village and the Lizard peninsula.  
 

Availability & book

Preferred changeover day
  • Selected dates
  • Booked
  • Unavailable
  • Changeover day

Features and facilities

  • Cot & high chair available
  • Microwave available
  • Fridge available
  • Freezer available
  • Dishwasher available
  • Washing machine available
  • Tumble dryer available
  • Telephone not available
  • Television available
  • DVD available
  • WiFi* available
  • Open fire / wood burner available
  • Garden available
  • BBQ available

Accessibility

Ground floor facilities

View Access statement (PDF 428 KB)

Layout

  • Ground floor

    Hall, kitchen, sitting/dining room with multi fuel stove, two bedrooms (one double, one twin), shower room and lavatory.

Notes for guests

Catering: Homemade meals can be ready on your arrival at an extra charge (7 days notice required). If you would like to order any options from the attached menu, please contact our catering manager on 01872 863486. View menu options

Access: The access statement is for guidance only. For up to date photos please those images in the main website page.

Heating: Rointe digital electric heating system.

Parking: Parking is limited to one vehicle.

Garden: Small garden on the quay, which the villagers of Durgan also have access to.

Utilities/electricals: The washing machine and tumble dryer is a combined washer/dryer.

*WiFi: This is now available, but please note that intermittent connection problems can sometimes occur and should not be relied upon. We are pleased to provide free WiFi at this cottage which is supported by BT.

Telephone: Limited reception for mobile telephones. There is a public payphone outside the property.

Offers: Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout of 4pm at this cottage.

Free entry to Trelissick, Glendurgan Garden and Trerice on production of booking details.

Upon arrival at the cottage guests will receive 10 per cent discount vouchers that may be used in the plant shop and in the excellent Tea House at Glendurgan Gardens when open.

Logs: Supply of seasoned beech and ash logs from a local National Trust plantation available: £5 for one night, £10 for two, £15 for three or £20 for an unlimited supply for the duration of your stay.

Barbeque: Provided on request, National Trust charcoal may be purchased at £5 per bag.

Local suppliers: Canoe Cornwall provide good value and good quality archery, bushcraft and canoeing sessions on Fal and Helford.

Please Note: The annual Durgan Regatta takes place in the village on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday. This involves flags on both quays, loudspeakers and lots of people partying outside Quay, Beach and Old School House cottages.

Places nearby

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a view of the Helford River and surrounding countryside

Bosveal

Tucked in wooded valleys and surprising views of the restful Helford River
a view of the palm trees near the maze at Glendurgan

Glendurgan Garden

Stroll down through the peaceful, exotic and playful valley to a sheltered beach at the bottom.
St Anthony Head

St Anthony Head

Tucked away at the bottom of the Roseland there's lots to discover for everyone.
Towan beach at Porth looking towards Killigerran low tide

Porth

Creekside and coastal footpaths make for great walking and wildlife spotting. Towan beach, close to Porth, is perfect for children.
The beach at Church Cove, Gunwalloe

Gunwalloe

A site of archaeological importance surrounded by dunes, beaches, a medieval church and a reedbed rich in wildlife.
Autumn sets in around Loe Pool at Penrose

Penrose

Wooded country around Cornwall's largest natural lake. Penrose features woodland tracks, stretches of coastline and open parkland, the perfect backdrop for a day out.

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The Old School House

Falmouth, Cornwall
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About the Acorn rating

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We have applied a 1-5 Acorn rating to each cottage to be used only as a guide that covers location, style of interior and facilities you may be looking for. The range runs from 1 Acorn at a more basic level through to 5 Acorns at the highest level. Cottage pricing is not judged on the Acorn rating alone and as all our cottages are of an individual nature we recommend that all factors are considered when making your choice.

1 Acorn: simple living accommodation with basic furniture and fixtures fit for purpose, safe and clean. Running water and a WC are provided. There could be some limitations to heating and washing facilities (details of these will be stated clearly on the cottage's webpage). Bedding, linen and towels are supplied (with a few exceptions, which is again clearly stated). Facilities for basic catering and living are provided. Generally a 1 acorn cottage does not have wifi. Examples of a 1 acorn offer include Cartref, Wales and Rosedene, Worcestershire.

2 Acorn: a mid-quality range of furniture and fittings. Bathroom facilities are basic or there may be a high sleeps to bathroom ratio depending on the size of the cottage. Very few 2 acorn cottages have wifi and, similar to a 1 Acorn cottage, the kitchen white goods and washing facilities are basic in their offer. All 2 (and higher) Acorn cottages supply bedding, linen and towels. Examples of a 2 acorn offer include Engine Cottage, Cornwall and High Hallgarth, Cumbria.

3 Acorn: a good, standard offer. Generally it is correctly proportioned for the number of guests but could have a few compromises, for example a small sized kitchen, or a lower bathroom to guest ratio. The variety of white goods available will be better than a 2 Acorn cottage. Examples of a 3 acorn cottage include the Mustard Pot Cottage, Norfolk and Rose Cottage, Isle of Wight.

4 Acorn: these cottage have more premium furniture, fittings and lighting. Additionally it is likely to have added comfort extras. The ratio of bathrooms to guests will be higher, and the bathrooms would be more likely to have separate and spacious showers as opposed to over bath showers. Examples of a 4 Acorn offer include Portland House, Dorset and Stepper View, Cornwall.

5 Acorn: a luxury accommodation offer with very few limiting factors. It is well-equipped and has spacious facilities throughout the cottage. This is the highest offer available. The furniture is of high standard, and has real comfort for modern living. Examples of a 5 Acorn cottage include The Old Rectory, South Wales and West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire.

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Availability & book

Preferred changeover day
  • Selected dates
  • Booked
  • Unavailable
  • Changeover day
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