Nestled in an idyllic rural setting, Tom’s Cottage offers a peaceful stay and is only a stone’s throw from the postcard village of Port Isaac and many of North Cornwall’s best places to visit.
Tom's Cottage
Winding down Cornish country lanes, you’ll find this welcoming cottage surrounded by rolling fields. Inside, a tasteful selection of modern furnishings complement the traditional features of an old cottage, making for a cosy bolthole. We instantly felt relaxed, and settled into our home from home for the weekend.
Tom’s Cottage is a wonderful retreat for any season. Visiting in autumn offered us the perfect space to curl up with a book and cuppa in one of the many comfy nooks throughout, with opportunities in every room to admire the gardens beyond that envelope the cottage.
The window seat in the dining room is a particularly lovely spot for a morning coffee, where you can watch the many species of birds going about their business. We were also spoilt with October sunshine, making the benches outdoors an equally welcoming place to sip on a brew and plan the day ahead. The gardens are a special feature here, with lots of trees and flowers to admire, lawns to enjoy games in the warmer months, and bbq facilities for dining alfresco.
The Area
Just a few miles away you’ll find Port Isaac, a pretty Cornish village carved dramatically into the cliffs of North Cornwall. Expect eye-candy aplenty, with pastel-hued fishermen’s cottages, cobbled streets, and bobbing boats in the harbour.
We loved the walk that arcs left out of the village to Port Quin, for its vantage point overlooking Port Isaac and sweeping views across the coastline. This walk has often been described as a ‘rollercoaster route’ and we can see why! Expect some steep inclines on this short but hearty stomp.
Working up an appetite isn’t a problem, with Port Isaac offering a plethora of eateries - many of which boast menus chock with seafood landed fresh on the doorstep. Outlaw’s New Kitchen offers a fine-dining tasting menu with sea views, while veggies can’t go wrong with vegan ‘banana blossom’ fish and chips from The Mote. If it’s just an afternoon pitstop you’re after, pop to Chapel Café for a cream tea (with a gluten-free option).
If all the sea air has you wanting to retreat early for an evening at Tom’s Cottage, Fee’s Food is a must for delicious oven-ready meals (such as Aubergine Parmigiana or Fish Pie) delivered to your door. You can also stock up on everything needed to cook up a feast at St Kew Farm Shop, just a 5-minute drive down the road from Tom's Cottage. (You’ll struggle to leave this treasure trove without a handful of gifts and homeware goodies too!)
While hours upon hours can easily be spent ambling this Cornish pocket on the coast, there are so many other places of interest in the area. The neighbouring villages of Tintagel and Boscastle are perfect for a historic day out, with the King Arthur sculpture and Castle gracing the cliffs on Tintagel Island, and The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic taking you on a mind-bending tour of Cornish myth and legends…
To round off the day in magical form, we suggest heading to St Nectan’s Glen, an AONB and SSSI. A short walk through Cornwall’s fern-clad rainforest takes you to an enchanting 60-foot waterfall, surrounded by remnants of messages and wishes made by visitors.
Booking Tom’s Cottage
While we found this a homely stay for two, the cottage is effortlessly roomy and sleeps up to eight, so it’s also ideal for families and groups who want to explore this wonderful location in Cornwall. Discover the charm of Tom’s Cottage and its breath-taking surrounds for yourself here.
