Polruan View House, Polruan

Cornwall. Sleeps up to 8

An exquisite 4-bedroom home just across the river from Fowey, Polruan View House enjoys wonderful bay views. Equipped with an outdoor hot tub and terrace, this property is ideal for up to eight guests.

Moments away from the South West Coast Path, this clifftop property includes a large front garden and a spacious deck at the rear, where you have sun loungers, seating, a dining area and a lovely hot tub with views over the bay.

Walk in from the deck and you will find the open-plan living area with ample seating, a wood burner and a 65-inch Smart TV. There’s a well-equipped kitchen too, featuring two ovens, an American-style fridge freezer, dishwasher and wine cooler, as well as a dining area. Free Wi-Fi is also provided at Polruan View House.

On the ground floor, you have a twin bedroom and one with a super king-size bed which can be converted to two singles as needed. Upstairs is the master bedroom, complete with en suite shower room, 32-inch Smart TV and access to the terrace. There is another sea-view bedroom on this floor, with TV and a super king-size bed which can be converted to twin beds. A first-floor bathroom with bathtub and a downstairs shower room complete the picture.

Head into Polruan and you can catch the ferry over to Fowey, a pretty harbour town with an array of good places to eat. The town also hosts annual events such as May’s Festival of Words and Music and August’s Fowey Royal Regatta.

From Fowey, it’s only a 15-minute drive to the Eden Project and 35 minutes to the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan. On Polruan’s side of the river, you can explore local beaches such as Lansallos Beach and Lantic Bay, or head to delightful coastal towns such as Looe or Polperro, both within 30 minutes.

A hilltop fishing village looking out towards Fowey, Polruan is bound by water on three sides. The village has a few notable sights of historic interest. These include the 8th-century St Saviour’s Ruin, and the 14th-century Polruan Blockhouse, originally built to protect the harbour from attack.

The village’s better-known neighbour across the water is accessible by a ferry service which crosses the river. Fowey’s charming streets are lined with independent shops and all sorts of good eateries. There are excellent bakeries and delis alongside cafés and restaurants, all of which have built Fowey’s reputation as a great food town.

Fowey is well placed for excursions around the wider area. In less than 30 minutes you can drive to Porfell Wildlife Park and in around 15 minutes to the glorious Eden Project. Other attractions in the east of the county, such as the Golitha Falls nature reserve, Port Eliot Estate and the adventure park, Adrenaline Quarry, are all easily accessible.

Other highlights of the county include the Lost Gardens of Heligan, around 30 minutes from Fowey. Located near Mevagissey, the gardens cover 200 acres and are split into three distinct zones. The Productive Gardens, Pleasure Grounds and Jungle – a tropical garden complete with a 100 foot-high Burmese rope bridge – all have a different feel and make a great day trip.

For a day of full-on fun, the Flambards Theme Park near Helston is a popular family choice, as is the Camel Creek Adventure Park near Padstow. For something more peaceful, there’s the Japanese Garden at St Mawgan near Newquay, or the relaxing outdoor lido, Jubilee Pool, in Penzance. The town also boasts excellent art galleries in the form of The Exchange, Penlee House, Cornwall Contemporary and several others.

Head to the west of the county to discover mainland Britain’s most southerly point, The Lizard, and the famous Land’s End. You can also find cultural gems like Porthcurno’s open-air Minack Theatre – the setting right by the sea is truly spectacular, and the theatre puts on a variety of shows throughout the year. When there’s nothing on, you can book a visit to the theatre to explore the venue, but be aware there are lots of steep steps.

If you prefer to keep things more local, there are numerous beaches to explore close to Polruan. The National Trust nature reserve of Lansallos incorporates Parsons Cove and Lantic Bay, while across the river you can discover Polridmouth Cove, Readymoney Cove and Menabilly Beach.