The Helford River House
Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
The flag-slated entranceway leads down into a large kitchen and dining room, with a chunky Aga stove nestled into one stone wall, a long dining table to gather around for big breakfasts, and three French doors opening out onto the one acre garden. At the far end of the room, there’s a cosy nook with a woodburning stove, and a door leading into the drawing room. Here, vast sash windows, broad sofas and an open fireplace set the stage for an evening of after-dinner drinks and games. Following on through, the house wraps around to a cosy library with a large desk, walls of books, and seating around a TV and fireplace. Upstairs, there are 5 bedrooms, three ensuite, one double and a twin, each with sumptuous bedding, large wardrobes and garden views. Adorned with antique furniture, encased miniature ships, handwoven textiles and hidden doors, this unique, storybook house by the sea is the perfect setting for an unforgettable family getaway to the Cornish countryside.
Highs
- The layout of the house lends itself to big groups and families, with two staircases, a laundry room, multiple entryways to the garden and ample parking
- It's good value for a house that sleeps 10, especially one in such a beautiful area, and so close to Falmouth
- The sweeping garden is perfect for barbecuing and has a trampoline, table tennis and plenty of space to roam
- With easy access to the South West Coast Path and tranquil beaches, this is the perfect location for ramblers and nature lovers
- While it's glorious on a sunny summer's day, it's a lovely house for all seasons with fireplaces in almost every room to cosy up around
Lows
- This is a self-catered stay in a rural area and village shops tend to close for part of the week, so make sure to stock up on supplies
- Those with small children or elderly should be aware, the gorgeous hardwood floors downstairs can be slippery and there are some unexpected steps
- It's an old house and family home, full of antiques and heirlooms, so expect some quirks and treat things with care
- There's a one week minimum stay year-round
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique House Rental
- 5 bedrooms
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The five bedrooms are all furnished with comfortable seating, antique wardrobes and linens fit for a five-star hotel, with views over the garden and vintage lamps for warm, cosy lighting.
Bedroom One is at the far end of the house over the library, nearest the second staircase and slightly set apart from the other rooms. It has a kingsize bed, a large bay window with table and chairs overlooking the garden, and a spacious en-suite bathroom with a bath and overhead electric shower.
Bedroom Two has a queensize bed, an armchair, wooden chest of drawers, and two doors connecting each end of the house so it has easy access to all the rooms. Its en-suite jack and jill bathroom with bath and overhead shower also has a door leading onto the landing, so it could easily be shared with the neighbouring twin room.
The Twin Room has two single beds with vintage patterned wallpaper and easy access to the upstairs shower room and WC or the jack and jill ensuite.
The Large Double Bedroom over the kitchen has a kingsize bed, window seats that look out over the garden and an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a separate WC.
And the Double Bedroom has a queensize bed, built in shelving, a wardrobe, and access to the shared shower room and WC down the hall.
Features include:
- Bathtub
- Binoculars
- Board games
- Central heating
- DVD player
- Fireplace
- Hairdryer
- Satellite TV
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
- Wood-burner
Eating
This is a self-catering rental and there aren't many options within walking distance (unless you're up for a long stomp along the coastal path) so be sure to come prepared.
i-escape guests get a complimentary hamper with Cornish treats and a bottle of wine, but you can also order a holiday arrival box from the Cornish Food Box Company for local ingredients for a hearty breakfast or a selection of cheeses and biscuits to enjoy with your after-supper aperitives in the garden.
In nearby Mawnan Smith, make sure to pop into Awna Coffee House for your morning jolt and The Red Lion Inn is a good pub pit-stop for pre-dinner drinks. There's also a village shop which offers plenty of locally-grown produce, but it's closed Sunday-Tuesday so don't count on it for all your supplies.
For more culinary choice, Falmouth is just a 10 minute drive and well stocked with excellent restaurants. We loved Verdant Seafood Bar for a cosy and casual seafood feast over delicious, locally brewed ales. And IndiDog is another crowd favourite with scrummy local dishes and views of the sea.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Self-catering
- Toaster
Activities
- Access to the South West Coast Path is just a short walk down the road, making this a rambler's paradise
- Explore the subtropical gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan
- Walk through the picturesque seaside village of Durgan
- Beautiful beaches such as Grebe or Maenporth are just a walk or a short drive away, and perfect for swimming
- The Helford River's tranquil coves are perfect for paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing
- Falmouth town is just a 10-minute drive and chock-full of independent shops and fabulous eateries
- The sweeping garden has a large trampoline and table tennis in the garden house, along with plenty of space for little ones to run and play while the parents picnic
- The wardrobe in the library is bursting with family board games and there's chess in the drawing room
- Take a river boat out for a couple of hours to explore the coast and spot wildlife
- Birdwatching
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Walking
- Wildlife
Activities on site or nearby include:
Kids
With its secluded walled garden, spacious communal rooms and double bedrooms with ample storage, this grand old house is the perfect place for families to gather. While parents and grandparents picnic on the grass or gather in the kitchen, children can enjoy the trampoline, table tennis or board games in the library. And there are plenty of outdoor activities nearby with country walks on the doorstep and beaches for paddle boarding and swimming nearby.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2 and the Large Double Room are all large enough for a baby cot and the Twin Room with two singles is perfect for kids.
Extra Beds Available
Kids Activities on site:
- Trampoline
- Table tennis
- Large walled garden
- Board games, books, toys and DVDs in the library
Kids Activities nearby:
- Walking along the South West Coast Path
- Swimming and searching for shells on nearby beaches
- Paddleboarding and kayaking on Helford River
Families Should Know:
All ages are welcome, but there are slippery hardwood floors downstairs and two staircases, so toddlers would have to be watched carefully. The house is also full of antiques and old treasures, so care should be taken throughout.
Distances:
- Shop: 12 min drive (Falmouth Co-op)
- Hospital: 17 min drive (Falmouth Community Hospital)
- Beach: 6 min drive (Maenporth Beach)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The property is located on a quiet, rural road outside the village of Mawnan Smith and a ten minute drive from Falmouth.
By Air
Cornwall Airport Newquay (56km) is the closest. You could also fly into Bristol Airport (272km).
By Car
The Helford River House is around 6 hours from London and 3.5 hours from Bristol. See our car rental recommendations. Electric car charging is available.
By Rail
The nearest station, Falmouth, is a 15-minute drive away. The journey time from London Paddington is approximately 5-6 hrs, with a change at Truro.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Cornwall Airport Newquay 56.0 km
- Bristol Airport 272.0 km
Other:
- Beach 3.1 km
- Shops 1.4 km
- Restaurant 1.4 km