Stargazy in the Oven

Stargazy in the Oven: Cornwall

Once a fisherman’s cottage, this cute Porthleven bolthole dates back to 1880. You can picture the relief on the weather-worn fisherman’s face, returning to this cosy abode with a fire crackling in the stove (it’s electric now) and stargazy pie steaming away on the farmhouse-style table in the kitchen. Your days in Porthleven don’t have to be so hard, meandering down to the harbourfront in just a few minutes where boats still land the fresh catch of the day, supplying a glut of independent restaurants. There’s a soft-sand beach here too, for days on the surfboard.

Speaking of which, if you want to hang your wetsuit out to dry and store your board, there’s a private backyard just for this. Inside, we love the exposed stone walls still on display – a nod to the home’s history. Sinking into one of the sofas is a delight after a day on a surfboard or walking the South West Coastal Path. Then there are the bedrooms with cushioned piled high on the beds – the epitome of cosiness.

Home truths:
*The stove is realistic, but it is an electric wood-burning effect stove
*An original feature of this historic cottage, the stairs have quite low headroom so take care on them
*The bathroom and bedrooms are upstairs, so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*There is private parking with this home and having a car is beneficial to explore the area
*Your host can provide a cot for infants, just ask
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace