Mawgan Porth is a wide sandy bay on the north coast of Cornwall about half way between Newquay and Padstow.   It forms the seaward end of the lovely Vale of Lanherne, running into St. Mawgan and St.Columb.   The beach is flanked by high cliffs, rocks and caves, with a stream winding along one side and a small waterfall on the other.   There is good bathing and surfing, with rock pools for the younger children and a natural diving pool at low tide. Beach guards are on duty throughout the summer.   The cliffs for several miles around are protected by the National Trust, including the magnificent scenery of Bedruthan Steps just along the road, and a number of other fine beaches.

There are many splendid walks, a favourite being the footpath to the Falcon Inn at St. Mawgan, an unspoilt village dating from the Middle Ages when it was a staging post for pilgrims to Spain.

Padstow is a delightful old fishing town.   It is a good place to shop, with several excellent restaurants and a very enjoyable cycle-way along the marvellous Camel estuary A ferry across the estuary, busy with boats and sail-boards, takes you to Rock, where there is a sailing school.

Local Facilities

Two or three shops, cafes, a garage and car park by beach, also tennis courts and pitch & putt Excellent restaurant at the Bedruthan Steps Hotel Golf course and riding stables within 5 minutes walk.   Local sea and river fishing.   Boat and sail-board hire at Rock Country houses, Cinemas, Museums, Theatres, good Restaurants, etc. within 30 minutes drive at Newquay, a busy seaside resort.   Bus service between Newquay and Padstow Railway station.   Daily flights between St. Mawgan (Newquay) and Heathrow, Birmingham, Aberdeen, etc. (British Airways).

The Cottages

The wide courtyard with terraced lawns and flowers is bounded on three sides by the thick stone walls and slate roofs of these old cottages.   Originally farm buildings, they are set in a grassy hillside facing south over the beautiful valley of Lanherne and the sea.

Thirty odd years ago, faced with the choice of demolition or restoration, we decided to convert and preserve these characterful old buildings as holiday cottages and this process has gone on gently over the years.   We have tried to avoid phoniness and keep them as plain as possible.   Some still have the original beams of the hay lofts and cow sheds they once were.

Glazed front doors open straight into living rooms.   Walls are rough and white-washed; polished floors, mostly of wide elm boards, are relieved with woollen rugs and mats. Furniture is mainly stripped wood and includes some handsome pine dressers and chests  . In the farmhouse tradition, kitchen and dining areas are sociably combined with the living room, simplifying housework and giving more space.   Stainless steel sinks are set into teak work-tops, with cupboards above and below.   Cookers and refrigerators are electric and reasonably modern.   Chair covers and curtains are of good quality and carefully chosen.   All is clean and well cared for. Each cottage has a slate fireplace, so if weather is bad you can at least sit round a cheerful log fire; enthusiasts burn driftwood from the beach (axe available); but there is also coal, logs, electric fires and night store heating, all fuel including electricity is charged for at cost.

Bedrooms upstairs have sloping ceilings and low windows; downstairs, they open off the living room, and are mostly quite small.   The beds are old fashioned but have good mattresses and firm bases.   Pillows and duvets or blankets are provided; also bedside tables and lights.   Sheets, pillowcases and towels are all you need to bring.   Bathrooms are small, plain white, have heaters, and are downstairs.

We find that many people prefer to have a holiday from television, but portable sets are available.   At the top of the courtyard is a laundry room with coin operated washing machine and tumble dryer.   Outside there is a variety of simple amusements for the children.   Besides the enclosed courtyard which is perfect for toddlers' territory with its lawns, Wendy house and little swings, there is an acre of rough grass, with level patches for ball games, and hummocks for rolling down.   Also go-carts, bigger swings, primitive table tennis, a 70 year old yacht with gangplank and cabin, and a 50 yard aerial cable slide.   In the summer a class for drawing, painting, pottery, modelling, etc. is held in the mornings for the children (very popular), also for adults by arrangement.

Seclusion Holidays Rating - 3. Semi-isolated, limited local amenities.

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