Dating back to 1698, this extraordinary castle provides an escape like no other. Enjoy 55 acres of surrounding gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and a living space that is fit for royalty.
Oozing luxury, Cornish Castle is set in an idyllic location beside the River Tamar. You will be impressed by the grandeur yet feel completely at home, with two cosy living spaces, 11 individually styled bedrooms and a private garden featuring your very own solar-heated pool. Should you wish to venture beyond the castle, the city of Plymouth is just 20 minutes away or you can delve further into Cornwall to experience its many attractions and beautiful coastline.
Your journey begins with the picturesque driveway, paving the way to this magnificent abode. Sir James Tillie’s statue will greet you in the Courtyard, before stepping inside to be impressed by the castle’s grandeur and many years of family history.
The elegant dining room sits in the heart of the castle and is a fabulous place to wine, dine, entertain, and socialise. Seating up to 22 guests, you can gather here for a delicious banquet, admire the gold-framed portraits and clink champagne glasses until nightfall. Once replenished, retire to the drawing room in front of the open log fire, sink into the cosy sofas and reminisce good memories under the glistening chandelier.
Next door you will find the morning room, a comfortable space to relax and unwind. Nestle into the sofas, sip a warming cup of tea, and admire the far-reaching views from the patio doors. As the sun starts to set, wiggle your toes in front of the open fire or snuggle up to watch a film on the TV.
The large kitchen provides everything you should need to self-cater with ease, including an AGA, a large gas oven and hob, two dishwashers, a microwave, and an American-style fridge/freezer. Congregate around the eight-seater dining table to discuss your next adventure or natter over a cup of coffee to start the morning right. Rearing off the kitchen is a handy boot room, where you will find a selection of Le Chameau’s to wear for your walks.
Head down the steps to the cellar/games room where you will find an abundance of activities to keep the whole group entertained. There is a pool table, table football, a dartboard, and a Smart TV, enabling you to watch the latest sports match or big game.
There are eleven bedrooms, all of which have been beautifully decorated with soft linen sheets, original antiques, and chic interiors throughout. There is one accessible bedroom on the ground floor, featuring a wet room and all the luxuries the first floor rooms provide. The impressive staircase will lead you to eight first-floor bedrooms, all of which boast incredible views of the river or gardens and are equipped with a king-size bed as standard and en-suites (all bar one with a shower and bath). The final two bedrooms are additional rooms in the attic, sharing a shower room with views across the gardens. The option to have rooms twinned (two single beds) is available in all rooms except the Dewhurst Suite, Coryton and Wyndham. Bayly is twinned as standard.
The outside space is complete with 55 acres of private woodland to explore, a solar-heated outdoor swimming pool (open seasonally, please see more information within House Rules below) and three large terraces with riverside views. Play a game of croquet on the lawn, toast marshmallows on the fire pit under a blanket of stars and absorb the exceptional surroundings that will take your breath away time and time again.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
