Staying in a Duchy Cottage

Last week I was in Cornwall staying in a Duchy of Cornwall cottage with two friends.  As well as a holiday it was a research trip, as one of the friends has just bought a holiday cottage business in North Pembrokeshire and as we consider Duchy cottages to be at the top of the tree holiday cottage wise, we thought we would try one out.

We stayed in Pawton Mill Farmhouse, near Wadebridge -

It  was quite small for a farmhouse and I would consider it a cottage; extremely comfortable and nicely furnished - a little home from home really, which is the best I can say about a holiday home.  It wasn't perfect - I haven't stayed in a perfect cottage yet, but it came close and we left a list of recommendations to make it perfect! 


If you would like to browse the Duchy Cottages and choose a favourite click here.  Restormel Manor is the largest and the Prince and the Duchess stay there when in Cornwall.  I believe the Middletons have also rented it for a family holiday!  I wonder if they got a discount?

My friends know Cornwall better than I, so they took me around and we visited both the north and south coasts.  There are so many lovely places that we only scratched the surface but here are a few where I got my camera out - I am not a very enthusiastic photographer but this blog serves as a spur!

Trerirce, now owned by the National Trust.  An Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem.

For all Doc Martin fans, Port Isaac.

More of Port Isaac - I believe Doc Martin's surgery is in this picture?

 

 
I can't resist taking pictures of little cottages!

On the last day we went to St. Mawes and had lunch at the Hotel Tresanton.

This was our view from the terrace.

Some of the pretty houses in St. Mawes with a wonderful view across the bay.

We also went to St. Ives, Fowey, Padstow and Rock, all delightful, but as well as having lovely natural features and interesting architecture there were also modern monstrosities built overlooking some of the most beautiful beaches.  Why oh why do planners allow this!

I have always been rather prejudiced against Cornwall, resenting it's popularity because my home county, Pembrokeshire, has a similar coastline and even more wonderful countryside, but isn't nearly so lauded. So many artists and writers have lived and worked in Cornwall, sung its praises, written books set there and made it into a romantic and fashionable holiday destination.  This hasn't happened with Pembrokeshire - there are no Hotel Tresanton type hotels there yet!  Perhaps this is a good thing and those of us who love West Wales can experience a quieter and less expensive holiday?

Just to give you a flavour of St. Mawes and how the British behave around Royalty, here is a link to a little video which begins just outside the hotel and ends at the harbour - such fun!