Summer visitors dreaming of making the move are can using the winter to look for the perfect property.
Cornwall has so many beautiful spots for property hunters, but those who are looking for a really romantic family house, or holiday house, always gravtitate towards the historic or coastal houses they can find on the market. This year begins with an embarassment of wonderful houses for sale in Cornwall, from historic small estates to waterside gems, to jawdropping contemporary homes with waterviews. Here are five of the best :
Gradna House heralds from a time of high decadence: reputed to have been built by the Wills Tobacco family in the 1930s, the property passed onto Lord Bath a decade later. In the 50s and 60s the house was used as a private residence and then stood empty for some 20 years. In 1990 a local businessman acquired the house and undertook a decade-long restoration project under the direction of the award-winning and renowned architect Stan Bolt.
Entered at lower-ground floor level via a huge oak pivot door, the house has a double height entrance hall. The bespoke fitted kitchen/dining room, sitting room and drawing room extend across the front of the property, which means they all benefit from incredible views over the water and St. George’s Island. Each of these rooms also has doors out on to the expansive part-covered slate terrace.
An open oak staircase leads up to the first floor, which is flooded with natural light by a magnificent lozenge-shaped atrium. This level has five bedrooms, all with sea and coastal views; three feature doors out to the large decked terrace, where there is also a ladder up to the copper roof. Also on the first floor are a beautifully fitted bathroom and separate shower room.
The grounds come to 1.7 acres and include spectacular terraced gardens, featuring many unusual and exotic plants, as well as many mature trees and shrubs. In all there are four terraces which lead to a gate access to the foreshore of which Gradna House enjoys ownership to mean high water.
Gradna House is located in Plaidy, an exclusive residential area just beyond East Looe. The guide price is £2.75m. For further information contact Savills on 01872 395943 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
This Grade II listed country house is located just five miles from Fowey. Victorian in design, there are many beautiful original features remaining – the dining room in particular is impressive and features a high ceiling, large full-length windows and ornate Victorian cornicing. The recent refurbishment programme has included a new kitchen, bathrooms and plumbing and rewiring.
Upstairs, the large master suite has fine views and there are four further bedrooms, three of which are en-suite, and a family bathroom; the extensive attics could also provide lots of additional accommodation.
Within the main house there are currently two holiday apartments, which provide an income. Both have their own separate access but could also be easily incorporated back into the main house.
Outside are two stables, garage, workshop, a walled garden, fantastic original greenhouse, paddocks and pastures; the grounds come to just under 12 acres.
The guide price is £2m. For further information please contact Knight Frank on 01392 976725 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
Treworgey Manor comprioses a rare and important opportunity to acquire part of one of Cornwall’s historic small estates The property been in the same family for over 400 years and at its heart stands the handsome south-facing Georgian style residence . The main house was rebuilt in 1938 after a fire and offers spacious and well-laid out accommodation including a Treyone kitchen, the airy reception hall, and an attractive sitting room/dining room
The guest bedroom suite comes complete with dressing room and en-suite bathroom.
Upstairs is the master en-suite bedroom together with a family bathroom and three further bedrooms.
Outside the 16th century coaching yard has been converted into five self-catering holiday cottages accommodating up to 30 guests. Forming part of the courtyard are ancillary rooms including a games room, laundry and office.
Although the main house is not listed, a number of the surrounding buildings and features are listed including the picturesque 16th Century clock tower, which has a Grade II* listing.
The formal gardens include a walled vegetable garden to the east of the main house whilst to the south are manicured lawns. A wonderful former deer park runs down to a stream, while a small spinney sits along the eastern boundary. To the west is an attractive wooded valley area; the land with the house comes to around 37 acres. Available in addition to this are two separate but adjoining land lots.
The guide price is £1.8m. For further information telephone Stags on 01392 680058 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
Secret clifftop house
The sale of Halzephron House provides an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire a substantial period property which occupies a wonderful elevated position enjoying astounding far-reaching sea views. Surrounded by National Trust land with a many incredible beaches within walking distance, including one featured on Poldark (and a secret surf spot just below the house), this property also has potential for an income.
There are five bedrooms, four reception rooms and a three-bedroom cottage, a one-bedroomed self-contained cabin and a further one-bedroom guest cottage.
The four acres of grounds include a secret clifftop garden and a wildflower meadow. The views at sunset from the deck are tremendous.
The guide price is £1.75m. For further information telephone Lillicrap Chilcott 01872 395949 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com
Contemporary creekside house
Built of stone and cedar elevations under a slate roof, Dinyan (pictured above and at the top of the page) was completed in 1985 to a design by renowned local architect Roger Hocking. Built on the side of the creek in the style of a boathouse, the property makes the very most of its splendid position with wrap-around timber decks, balconies and a large open sitting room which seems to hang over the water.
The accommodation encourages open plan living, and offers three bedrooms and a wonderful kitchen/living area. The lower ground floor could be used as another bedroom, or as a games/leisure room.
A detached studio also overlooks the creek, and has its own separate garden. Wonderful terraced gardens surrounding the house descend to the creek and include lawns and a wooded primrose meadow with a wide variety of mixed deciduous trees. Perhaps the highlight of the gardens and grounds is the 400ft of frontage to the creek, with moorings on licence.
The pretty village of Port Navas comprises a handful of stone cottages at the head of the creek; the renowned Duchy Oyster Farm sits on the historic stone quay opposite the house. The creek itself is a tributary of the beautiful Helford river immortalised by Daphne Du Maurier in her novel Frenchman’s Creek.
The guide price is £1.65m. For further information telephone Savills on 01872 395943 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.