Cottage Review: Tremanon in Trebarwith Strand, North Cornwall

After months of lockdown and cold, dark days, summer is finally approaching – and there’s never been a better time to take a staycation. Now restrictions are lifting and normal life beckons, most of us are looking to take advantage of our newfound freedom – and if it’s a sense of freedom you’re looking for, you won’t find a better place to stay than Tremanon in North Cornwall.

Located just a stone’s throw from the rugged beach of Trebarwith Strand, this luxury cliff top barn conversion is romantic, stylish, cosy, and impressively eco-friendly. After months of being cooped up at home, I jumped at the opportunity to head down to Cornwall and check out this rural retreat.

Location

Cornwall’s north coast is one of the most popular places in the UK for a staycation, and Tremanon is ideally situated to explore the best of the region’s highlights. The historic village of Tintagel is just a short drive away, and a little further afield is the tiny, yet beautiful, port of Boscastle. In the other direction, you can drive to Padstow and take advantage of its celebrated culinary offerings, or explore the natural beauty of the Camel Estuary.

Tremanon itself is perched on elevated farmland, with the glittering blue Atlantic Ocean in front, and a wind turbine gently spinning behind. It’s just as quiet and secluded as I’d hoped it would be; the only sounds to be heard from the private terrace are the birds singing, and a little further afield, the soft bleating of sheep. If you have a thing for sunsets, you’ve definitely come to the right place: the cottage faces west, and in the evenings, you can watch the crimson sun sink into the sea directly in front of you. At night, the pollution-free sky glints with stars.

Style and character

Inside, Tremanon is stylish and surprisingly sustainable, with geothermal underfloor heating and electricity that’s generated from its very own wind turbine. The A-frame roof is the only hint that this sleek, modern-looking cottage was ever a barn, and with glass-topped tables, wicker dining chairs and unique artwork on the walls, it all feels suitably stylish – though not so stylish you feel you can’t curl up and get comfy on the sofa after a bracing coastal walk.

The living area is light, airy and open-plan; on one end there are glass doors that lead right out onto the terrace, and on the other, a sleek kitchen with all the mod-cons, appliances and utensils you could possibly want. A neon retro cocktail sign adds a fun, eclectic touch, and you can shake up your own pre-dinner cocktails using the complimentary gin and rum. In the evenings, you can cook dinner while watching the sunset across the room – and eating your meal at the glass dining table, while the room glows gold, somehow makes the food taste even better.

Rooms

There are two beautiful en-suite bedrooms at Tremanon. The first bedroom has a king-size double with luxurious, top-quality bed linen, an antique wooden wardrobe to hang your clothes in, and colourful paintings on the wall. Opposite the bed are French doors leading out onto the terrace; in the morning you can open them up and enjoy some fresh air as you sip coffee in bed, propped up by dozens of plump pillows.

The second bedroom has a zip and link bed, so it can be joined together to make one king-size bed, or kept separate as two 2ft 6′ twins. One ensuite bathroom boasts a generously deep bath where you can enjoy a blissful soak after a strenuous country walk, and the bamboo bath tray is packed with sweet-smelling organic Cornish toiletries – from invigorating bath salts to rich body moisturisers. There’s even a book stand, for those of us who enjoy reading while we bathe. The second ensuite contains a huge and gleaming walk-in shower, and both come stocked with dozens of soft, fluffy towels (plus cosy bathrobes).

Service and facilities

From the moment we arrived at Tremanon, it was clear that this was no ordinary stay, and the owners, Joanna and Matthew, went out of their way to ensure we felt looked after. Waiting on the kitchen table for us when we arrived were fresh scones, Cornish jam and marmalade, and flaky croissants stuffed with raspberry jam; in the fridge was an enormous apple pie. As a vegan, I was unsure if I could eat these mouth-watering treats, but knowing my dietary requirements, the owners had asked the local (and excellent) Boscastle Farm Shop to make them especially for us – and the farm shop rose to the challenge in a spectacular fashion.

This level of attention and care was reflected in many other ways during our stay. Though welcome hampers aren’t necessarily a rarity for luxury cottage breaks, the generosity, and size, of this particular hamper was. Packed inside a wicker hamper were dozens of thoughtful gifts – from artisan biscuits and teas to beautifully scented candles. There was even a tea towel and a tin of Cornish cards and envelopes to take home. In the fridge was a bottle of local sparkling wine, dozens of fresh vegetables, crusty bread, lemonade and apple juice, and even some hummus and vegan butter and cheese – all of which meant we didn’t have to pop to the shops when we arrived to ensure we had food for breakfast.

Nothing was too much trouble for Joanna and Matthew, who sent over information about how to get to the cottage and what we should bring before we arrived, ensuring we felt prepared and ready for our trip. They also sent over detailed information packs about the local area, complete with their recommendations for the best shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as some of the ‘must-visit’ spots.

In a nutshell

Tremanon is a perfect destination for guests who want to enjoy quiet relaxation, cosy surroundings, and genuinely breath-taking scenery. Combining the isolation and romance of a private retreat with the impeccable service and comfort of a top hotel, this is a beachside break you won’t forget in a hurry. Perfect for couples or families looking to regain a sense of freedom and adventure, without compromising on style or luxury.