When considering our position in the world, I imagine many of us in the UK like to think that we are leaders in many things. 100 years ago, it was probably the navy, these days, it could be our biomedical sciences, our banking, our financial services, whisky, something like that.
As someone who keeps their ears firmly on the ground of international discourse, I can sadly reveal that arguably what the UK is most famous for is its weird place names, many of which I can’t, or won’t, write here. One that has always fascinated me however, and is printable, is the Lizard, the small village on the tip of the, erm, Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. Why is it called the Lizard? An abundance of reptiles? Sadly not — the name is probably a corruption of the Cornish name ‘Lys Ardh’, meaning high court.
Which brings me to Clahar Cottage, full of character and charm, on said Lizard peninsula. For sale with Cornish agents Lillicrap Chilcott for offers in excess of £600,000, the property was formerly a homestead and stable, housing a donkey that would have transported pilchard from Mullion Cove to the nearby village.
The good news is that it is no longer full of donkeys and fish, and is in fact a Grade II-listed thatched cottage that boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms. Retaining heaps of period charm throughout, in the form of exposed beams, the aforementioned thatched, mullioned windows and exposed stone and brick, the home has also been meticulously modernised, creating that ideal form of contemporary character.
Location-wise, it doesn’t get much better than this, with the property featuring a large garden, while being close to the village of Mullion and within walking distance of several beaches at Poldhu and Polurrian Cove. There is also driveway parking for two cars.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Freddie Mercury's house is on the market, 46 years after he bought it following an advert in Country Life
The seven-bedroom home returns to the market for offers in excess of £30 million, and still carries plenty of Mercury's
Credit: Strutt and Parker
An ivy-clad manor house in one of Oxfordshire's 'most sought-after' postcodes
Manor Farm House, near the hamlet of Cleveley, offers everything you could ever want from a classic Cotswold home, and
Credit: Symonds & Sampson
An utterly gorgeous Victorian house with character, charm and a couple of acres, all for just £650k
Those who dream of swapping a suburban semi for something magnificent should step right up.
-
Merlins: Britain's smallest bird of prey is a 'swerving, zigzagging, 240mph weighted missile' that's gutsy enough to chase off a golden eagleSize doesn’t matter when it comes to the fighting spirit of the tiny merlin, a fierce parent and favoured hunting accessory of Mary, Queen of Scots.
-
The greatest moment in the life of Jessie Owens: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 13, 2025Breathtaking athleticism and Shakespeare's birthday are among the questions in the final quiz of the week.
-
Soft tones and a sense of place: A Mayfair duplex that breaks the modern mouldA new designer-led residence at 60 Curzon in Mayfair reminds us that everything new doesn't necessarily have to look it.
-
'The very best North Yorkshire has to offer': The £25 million Kirkham EstateWith 1,103 acres and on the market for the first time in a century, we've got a new frontrunner for the sale of the year.
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back homeAt first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificenceWomersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigreeThe Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
-
A bucolic Sussex home that's 'like stepping into a fairytale', yet just 30 minutes from central LondonFelmere House is a playground for nature and only 30 minutes from London.
-
Magnificent mansions across the Home Counties, from £3 million to £14 million, as seen in Country LifeA waterside dream home and a house and estate with over 1,100 years of history make our round-up this week.
-
Vibrant colours and exquisite taste make this three-bedroom London townhouse singOn Kennington's West Square, this Grade II-listed home is a monument to the discerning eye.
