Merryn Cottage

Need to know

An eclectic mix of merchants’ houses and cosy cottages lining the lanes around a historic harbour make Padstow one of Cornwall’s year-round visitor hot spots, famous both as a foodie destination and for its busy fishing fleet. Tucked inside the Camel Estuary, the town is synonymous with celebrity chef Rick Stein and has something to satisfy every appetite among its wealth of restaurants, bars, bistros and cafes. But there’s a lot more to enjoy too, including glorious beaches, boat trips and coastal walks. To get afloat, book a sealife safari, take a fishing trip or simply hop on the ferry for a short ride across the river to upmarket Rock; the dune-backed beach here stretches about a mile to Daymer Bay, where children can splash in calm waters without any fear of the strong surf that’s common on other Cornish beaches. Stay on the Padstow side of the River Camel and it’s a 3-mile walk past the Elizabethan manor of Prideaux Place to Harbour Cove, where a wide, sandy beach is sheltered from all but the strongest of breezes. Once famous as a centre for wool production, lively market town Wadebridge is 8.5 miles away by car and linked to both Padstow and Bodmin by the Camel Trail, an 18-mile walking and cycling route along a disused railway line.

Get a sense of traditional Padstow life in this lovely mews cottage, once a fisherman’s residence and still full of character. A path leads off Church Lane to the doorway; step inside and you’re greeted by an open-plan kitchen/lounge/diner with Smart TV and BT Sports Package, plus a scene-stealing natural stone floor and ceiling beams, among its period features. Comfortable seating, country-style furnishings and a wood burner keep everything cosy even in the depths of winter, and as is typical in a property of this age, there’s a ground-floor bathroom for added convenience. On the first floor you’ll find two bedrooms; one with a double bed and TV and one with twin beds; each has all the drawer and wardrobe space you’ll need to unpack and feel at home.

Woodland at the end of the mews adds even more beauty to the location of this holiday cottage; enjoy fresh air and sunshine from the privacy of your enclosed courtyard and listen to the leaves rustle in the breeze as you enjoy a drink or snack.