Smuggler's Retreat

In the hilltop hamlet of Trowan, this old stone house hides many a secret. It’s right on the South West Coastal Path – the long-distance walking trail that snakes across the Cornish coast – so days can be spent hiking right from your doorstep. The stunning seaside town of St Ives is a mile away, where the fresh catch of the day is landed in the harbour and a horseshoe of sandy beach attracts the crowds.

Stepping inside, you can feel this history radiating from wood-beamed ceilings in the bedrooms and flagstone floors in the living area. Get a fire crackling in the wood-burner for a cosy evening in. This coast was once a hive of smuggling and in the kitchen, you’ll see a smuggler’s hide for storing contraband through a glass panel in the floor. Your host has added a few vintage touches like an old treasure chest and an antique ship’s light so you can really feel like you’re on a castaway adventure.

Then there’s the outside; a fabulous green garden brimming with flowers and a perfectly manicured lawn. On a hilltop location, you can see the sea from the outdoor dining table and there are a couple of deckchairs for sunny summer days.

Home truths:
*Your host can provide a cot, high chair, safety gates, baby dinnerware and a baby monitor, just ask
*In a fairly remote location, having a car is recommended and there is private parking with this home
*The smuggler's hide in the kitchen can fill with water when it rains, but it won't flood
*The second bedroom has two trundle beds suitable for children, making the maximum guest count six
*Bringing a torch is advised if you're walking after sunset as the hamlet has no outdoor lighting
*Both bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility