Review: Porthcothan Mill Cottage, near Padstow, Cornwall, UK

A pair of original millstones stand at the entrance to this luxury cottage which lies inland from the North Cornwall coast, west of Padstow and east of Newquay. But it’s just a five-minute walk, through a meadow designated an Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty, to a surfing beach. Appropriately, it is a dog-friendly beach for a dog-friendly cottage.

Those millstones are evidence of a watermill whose history so far dates back to 1242. The mill was then romantically given as part of a marriage contract to one of Cornwall’s great families.

Just beyond the existing boundary of the cottage is a narrow packhorse bridge which would have carried ground corn on the first leg of its journey to the old coast road. An ancient leat, the watercourse that fed the mill in Tudor, Stuart and beyond, runs through the cottage garden and is crossed by a narrow bridge. Inside, among the wooden beams and whitewashed stone walls, darkwood antique furnishings give a nod to the cottage’s historic heritage.

The welcome

Although we are still over a hundred kilometers away, we receive a text message that the cleaners have left and that the house is waiting for us a few hours earlier than planned. Arrival instructions give us the code for a key box.

The little house

Porch pegs for coats and drying boards for boots indicate that this is an excellent walking area.

Then you enter a lounge with deep, inviting sofas, a wood-burning stove, shelves of books and DVDs. The cottage is secluded but there is access to a mobile signal using WiFi and a large television provides digital access to entertainment. A sturdy, stable door separates the living room from the kitchen.

An open plan, dual aspect dining area is also illuminated by two skylights. The large table comfortably seats eight people for a relaxing lunch and a long dinner. Porthcothan Mill Cottage invites guests to relax and unwind.

Adjacent is a retro kitchen with mid-20th century metal finishes. According to a framed advertisement with a message of support from Gone with the wind star Vivien Leigh, a WH Paul fitted kitchen was just what you needed. Among the shelves of recipe books is, of course, Rick Stein’s seafood guide. A supporter of Cornwall’s local food heroes, Stein is regarded as a culinary saint in these parts.

A spiral staircase leads upstairs to three bedrooms: two doubles and a twin. The decor with driftwood, shells and wicker reminds us that the ocean is a short walk away.

Although the house quietly harkens back to the fifth century, the bathroom with separate bath and shower is clearly 21st century.

The location

Tucked away at the end of an alley, the cottage feels far away from the hustle and bustle. You might hear owls hooting and see deer running through the valley, even though Padstow is only a 15-minute drive away.

Padstow is a foodie mecca with the opportunity to buy the freshest fish, lobster and oysters.

Seafood sold by these fishmongers, along with bakeries and delicatessen shops, invite you to prepare your own meals in Porthcothan Mill Cottage’s superbly equipped kitchen. For the easiest self-catering options, buy some world championship winning pasties. A dollop of clotted cream is a key ingredient in some pies.

Padstow is of course Rick Stein’s country and his Sea Food Restaurant is just one of the many dining options in Padstow. And with Indian and Thai options also available, this beautiful harbor has more to offer than just fish and chips.

North of Padstow, Martin Clunes’ portrayal of the extremely grumpy Doc Martin has made Port Issac famous. Cornwall also does not switch off its charm on the last day of August. The province is often at its best in spring and autumn, when quiet beaches outnumber visitors, when roads are quieter and there are more parking spaces. Those who cycle the Camel Trail or walk along coastal paths also appreciate the cooler temperatures.

From December 5 to 8, 2024, Padstow will host a Christmas festival. Although the program has not yet been finalized, the emphasis is always on good food, good music and shopping at the Christmas market.

Other nice touches

An outbuilding with washing machine has been converted into a useful facility for storing surfboards and cleaning up dirty dogs after cliff walks. The shower is the place to rinse off salty, sandy wet suits.

When you serve the scones, which are part of the welcome pack, remember this is Cornwall: strawberry jam first, topped with thick, luscious clotted cream.

Through the five-barred gate there is ample parking for three or four cars, meeting friends or family in Porthcothan for a seaside getaway.

Costs

The Porthcothan Mill Cottage online booking calendar for 2025 is now available. Accommodation for six people starts from £800 per week. Outside the high season a minimum stay of two nights is possible.

The best part

Porthcothan Mill Cottage, and especially its garden of apple and ash trees, is both a dreamy state of mind and a luxurious retreat.

All day long, blue tits, robins, pheasants, red kites, butterflies and a family of woodpeckers provide the soundtrack of nature as you relax on a sunny sun lounger, enjoy an al fresco lunch at the picnic table or sit on the garden bench and enjoy the rural splendor.

The final verdict

Located just minutes from Padstow, the cottage is extremely well placed for exploring the many faces of Cornwall.

This is a place to let go of the world and understand what Porthcothan has to offer: walking, finally taking that surfing lesson, cycling the Camel Trail, finding samphire to take with the hake you bought, catching up with family for a while and friends take a break or just catch up on some sleep under the dark Porthcothan skies.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Porthcothan Mill Cottage.

Michael Edwards

Michael Edwards is a travel writer from Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Although Michael published his first travel stories almost forty years ago, he still finds new luxury destinations to visit and write about.