Antonia's Pearls

Rooms

The four cottages & cabins are a stone's throw from each other but you'd hardly know it. Shrouded in lush gardens, they're all totally private and peaceful. Great for rest 'n' romance, but also perfect for multi-gen trips: grandparents get their own space, but little ones need only toddle down the garden path to find them.   

MARINE VILLA (sleeps 4-6) has 2 light and spacious double bedrooms, with sea-facing windows and a fresh, all-white decor. You get super-kingsize beds (no twins), antique chests and - as in all houses - top-quality linens, with hypo-allergenic bedding on request. Both ensuite bathrooms feature a roll top bath with shower - either overhead or separate. Attached to one bedroom is a dressing/kids' room which can be set up with one or two tiny beds for children up to 5 ft (1.5m), or one bed plus one cot. We came with parents-in-law and our young son, and the set-up was perfect. Downstairs there's a bright, art-filled sitting room with 2 sofas, a lovely hearth for winter fires and a Smart TV (plus a second in the dining room). Opposite are the kitchen and dining room.

THE SEA CABIN (sleeps 2 + 2 under 12s), immersed in greenery, is actually 2 converted Grade-II listed outhouses linked via an all-glass sunroom used for lounging and dining; there's a glass-fronted living area with L-shaped sofas, bar-style seating and a small but fully equipped kitchen, a lovely bedroom, a bunkroom for kids, and a slate-floored bathroom. The sunroom, and the very private lawned gardens, make it a gorgeous summer option; though equally, when we stayed in winter, we loved the cosiness of the woodburner, radiator and goosedown duvets.

THE SAIL LOFT (sleeps 2) is a cosy bolthole for two. It's a lovely, airy, open-plan suite with a kingsize bed, shower, compact full kitchen and sofa. Outside, there's a pretty suntrap garden with a table and chairs. 

THE PEARL (sleeps 2) is the newest addition (we have not seen it yet): tucked away in a secret garden, it's another snuggly couple's bolthole with a kingsize bed and ensuite shower room.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Iron
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

All the cottages have fantastically equipped kitchens, some quite compact, but with all the goodies you could expect; and a suitably sized dining area. Expect top brand appliances - Bosch or Smeg cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher, Dualit toaster, Magimix kettle, Joseph Joseph chopping boards, AGA pans and Cornish crockery. There are mixing bowls, a whisk, grater, plus a steriliser and handheld blender for those with little ones. All houses have a washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board, either in a small laundry room or in an outbuilding.

Organic tea, coffee, sugar and milk are provided, as are eco cleaning products and dishwasher tablets, but you’ll need to bring the rest. There are several supermarkets within a short drive (Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose can deliver, too). Or seek out some of Cornwall's many artisan food producers, from simple farm shops to extraordinary cheesemakers, fish straight from the boats and heavenly charcuterie.

In terms of dining spaces, MARINE VILLA has a smart dining room with ample space for 6+, and sheltered al fresco dining space outside too. THE SEA CABIN has an all-glass dining room which is lovely in all weathers and a small table in the kitchen. THE SAIL LOFT has galley kitchen and a table for 2.

If you're feeling lazy, Antonia can deliver her own 'great grub' fresh from her kitchen, much of it organic. In summer, try local lobster in garlic butter; in winter, she makes a rich, slow-cooked beef stew with mashed potato and leeks. Round it off with gooey chocolate tart or homemade lemon ice cream, all washed down with carefully selected wines which are left for you on an honesty basis. You can pre-order a 'brilliant breakfast box' for your first morning, too. We ordered this on a cold January morning and it was totally worth it. Antonia’s homemade granola with organic yoghurt, jam and honey was the perfect starter before our local Atlantic salmon with eggs.

If you'd prefer to eat out, there are a couple of places in Charlestown for crab sandwiches, ales and sea views. Antonia will happily share her local recommendations, such as Springtide, a favourite for super-fresh seafood.  

Features include:

• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Kids' meals
• Meal delivery service
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

Antonia provides a useful selection of her top recommendations in the area, but to give you a few ideas...

• Hike along the coastal path, admire the tall ships in the harbour, or play on the shingle beach
• Visit the Eden Project, only 10 minutes' drive away. It's a top garden and eco-education centre, with regular music and arts events, and an ice rink in winter; very popular with families
• Head to St Austell's Brewery Visitor Centre for an interactive brewing experience (including beer samples and a pasty, of course)
• Thanks to its microclimate, Cornwall has some stunning gardens including the National Trust's Trellissick near Falmouth, and the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan outside charming Mevagissey (about 15 minutes away)
• Take surfing lessons with a local teacher at Watergate Bay (a 35-minute drive); try windsurfing lessons, sailing and paddle boarding at Polkerris; or give waterskiing a go at Rock
• Drive to other beautiful beaches for kayaking or just swimming and sunbathing; it gets surprisingly hot in summer
• Golfers can tee off at St Endoc, St Mellion or Trevose; arty types will love the Tate at St Ives, or the many galleries in Padstow - stop for a Rick Stein's fish and chip lunch while you're there
• Antonia can arrange for a beauty therapist to come and give massages and treatments

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

There's plenty to do with kids in Cornwall, even if it's raining, and Antonia's larger cottages make superb family bases, with lots of baby- and toddler equipment, plus family-friendly bed set-ups. In Charlestown our kids loved rock pooling, crabbing off the harbour wall, eating superb ice creams and walking just round the coast to sandy Duporth beach. Further afield, the options are endless...

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Children are warmly welcomed at Marine Villa; two kids under 12 are also welcome in The Sea Cabin. See Rooms for bed arrangements.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 30 minutes
• Doctor: 5 minutes
• Shop: 2 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The houses are set in the small village of Charlestown on the south Cornish coast. It's 3km south of St Austell, 22km east of Newquay, about 100km from Exeter and 200km from Bristol.

By Air
Newquay is the closest airport (20 mins), but Bristol (2.5 hours) is served by more airlines. Click on the links below for a list.

From the Airport
Jump in a taxi or hire a car (recommended).

By Car
If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. You can park close by.

By Train
If you'd prefer to travel by train, head to St Austell (approx 4 hours from London Paddington), then take a taxi to the house.

Detailed directions will be sent to you by Antonia when you book through i-escape.com.

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