An ancient fishing village with a proud boat-building heritage, Polruan retains an old-fashioned charm while providing all the essentials for a hassle-free holiday, including a historic pub and local stores. There’s only one road leading into the village and down to its historic quay, where a ferry carries passengers across the river to Fowey and its maze of streets, home to busy shops, bars and restaurants. Polruan has a small beach beside the quay, but follow the South West Coast Path a mile eastwards and you’ll reach Lantic Bay, where crystal-clear water and seldom-packed sands provide a great spot for paddling and picnics. For a day out in the car, put your vehicle on the Bodinnick to Fowey ferry and then drive to the renowned Eden Project, 13 miles away; close by is Charlestown, famous for its tall ships and synonymous with the TV series Poldark.
A reverse-level layout takes full advantage of the amazing hillside position of this contemporary seaside property. It faces west and benefits from long hours of sunshine, with spectacular views across sparkling water to boats bobbing in the harbour and Fowey on the opposite bank. From the parking area, a steep flight of stairs leads to the main first-floor entrance, where a stylish open-plan room has clearly-defined spaces for cooking, dining and lounging. No expense has been spared here, with granite work surfaces, a wine fridge, a comfy corner sofa and a Smart TV among the essentials for a relaxing stay. A vast window in the lounge area gives a unique view of the river, a wood burner will add a warm glow on winter evenings, and a trendy glass-topped dining table offers somewhere to enjoy good food and drinks in great company. The real scene-stealer, though, is the full-width balcony that’s accessed from here; it stretches right across the front of the house and comes complete with wooden decking, a dining suite and gas BBQ. Guests who’d like a little quiet time can settle down in the snug where a sofa, easy chair, Smart TV and DVD await. A ground-floor cloakroom adds to the convenience of your surroundings, and attention to detail is apparent everywhere, especially in the utility room, where there’s a door to the patio means you can get pets in and out easily. Below, the ground floor has three elegant bedrooms, each well-dressed and with plenty of space to unpack and store clothes. In the master, there’s a super-king-size bed, Smart TV, views over the river and patio doors to the garden, plus a lavish en-suite with a bath and separate shower. A twin room has an en-suite shower room and views of the river, while the third bedroom, tucked away and reached by a separate flight of stairs, has a patio door to the garden, a king-size bed and its own en-suite shower room.
A hillside location means there’s a real sense of privacy here which extends to the enclosed terraced garden. Both the patio with bistro-style furniture at first-floor level and the beautiful balcony that’s accessed from the kitchen area are suntraps; it’s a steep climb up from the village, but the views more than reward your effort!