There’s a reason Cornwall continues to come out on top as the UK’s most sought-after holiday destination – and with its beautiful golden-sand beaches, rugged coastline and array of high-end hotels and restaurants, it has become a particular favourite for the luxury traveller.
No longer just about family getaways and weekend surfing trips, it has become synonymous with slow coastal living and offers high-end stays that rival those you’d experience in Ibiza or Mallorca (give or take a little extra sunshine).
While there’s a lot to be said for checking into a five-star hotel for your next Cornish escape, the rise of design-led holiday homes has seen affluent travellers turning to them as an alternative, attracted by the enhanced levels of privacy and exclusivity they offer as much as the lavish interiors and high-end facilities.
The Beach House in Mawgan Porth – a small seaside village on Cornwall’s north coast – is a prime example, embodying the best of luxury seaside living and offering a prime location overlooking the beach. This extraordinary coastal property was purchased by its current owners during the Covid-19 pandemic and is now part of the impressive Beach Retreats portfolio, having undergone a complete renovation and restyle – so I was pleased to be invited to stay for the weekend, and find out more about what it had to offer first-hand.
Location
Mawgan Porth can be found nestled just between Newquay and Padstow on Cornwall’s north coast, and although a smaller and slightly more under-the-radar beach village than some, it offers a spectacular west-facing golden-sand beach and access to some seriously impressive walking routes via the nearby coastal paths, making it a great choice for those seeking a quieter and more laid-back spot to visit.
Along with its undeniable natural beauty, it’s one of the reasons celebrities like Chris Martin, Stanley Tucci and Cate Blanchett have chosen Mawgan Porth for their private holiday homes, and that filming for various TV series has taken place on the beach.
The beach itself is sheltered, and great for surfing – in fact, it’s a favourite amongst the locals for catching some waves.
The Beach House is situated at the top of Mawgan Porth village, with a lovely little walk down to the beach, and stunning sea views from its top deck and throughout the property that are the real highlight of any stay here.
The house
Even so, it’s the inside that really sets this place apart from other holiday homes in the area. The Beach House is so stylish that stepping inside feels almost like walking into your favourite interiors Instagram account or the latest copy of Homes & Gardens magazine; from the driveway to the bathrooms, the luxury coastal inspired interiors run across every room, going well beyond just the main living spaces. Each room is unique, with standout features, but seamlessly blends with the rest of the house.
Interiors throughout the property are designed by the talented Nicola O’Mara – a leading home renovation expert and award-winning interior designer in Cornwall with more than 27 years of experience creating beautiful homes. They exude a sense of coastal chic that is in-keeping with its beachside location, and each detail has been carefully considered, with everything executed with class, and to the very highest of standards.
The interior colour palette is a combination of soft blues and warm peaches, with texture infused through wall coverings and interesting pieces of furniture. I was particularly taken with the bespoke design touches throughout the property, such as the map wallpaper, original artwork by Cornish contemporary artist Nina Brooke, and the wall mural in the pool area from Zee Van Gils – a Dutch-born artist based in North Cornwall, creating abstract artworks inspired by the textures, colours and ever-changing moods of the natural world.
The house sleeps up to 12 guests in total, and features six beautifully designed bedrooms and four bathrooms. Four of the rooms are located in the main house, while the others can be found in a detached cedar lodge, which also features its own kitchenette and lounge area – great if you’re visiting with family or friends and in need of some extra privacy.
All bedrooms were a great size, with king-size beds and good quality linen – as well as, of course, those all-important sea views. Mine had large, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that opened out onto the terrace, so that I could even enjoy them whilst relaxing in bed. The walls were painted a moody dark blue hue, but with plenty of natural light flooding in and white wooden flooring, it still felt nice and bright. A woven rug on the floor and plush, burnt orange throw cushions on the bed added warmth.
Bathrooms feature large walk-in showers and minimalistic patterned tiling, with opulent gold fixtures and fittings and a contemporary feel.
The house offers impressive views upstairs and from the bedrooms downstairs, and the whole accommodation is light and airy, yet at the same time, exudes a pleasantly warm and cosy ambience in spite of its large size. Interestingly, there are no clocks anywhere – which actually was a rather nice touch, and encourages you to be present in the moment, infusing a sense of relaxation and calm.
It’s evident that no expense has been spared throughout the property, with only top of the range materials used and appliances from leading brands such as Smeg and Rangemaster.
The open-plan kitchen/dining room is a particular highlight of the house, and features the most wonderful wooden dining table where you can gather for long, leisurely lunches or sociable dinners if you’re travelling as a group. The kitchen boasts an extremely large gas cooker and a well-equipped selection of pots, pans, crockery and utensils, with everything you need to cook up a storm (or for a private chef to do it for you).
The bar area, which is filled with a range of premium glassware, from Champagne glasses to tumblers, is a lovely spot to enjoy an aperitif, nightcap – or both.
The living space offers a very cosy seating area with plush sofas, a widescreen TV and log burner. It’s a really versatile space, with various areas to enjoy; I loved that there was a cosy nook with built-in bench seating tucked beneath the slope of the roof, with plenty of cushions in various tones of blue to ensure it was a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy a cup of tea. A small round table by the window, meanwhile, was the perfect place to relax in one of the four rattan chairs that surround it to catch some morning rays. The wooden furniture and natural materials all added to the property’s rustic and maritime-inspired charm, with texture added in the form of chunky knitted throws and woven cushion colours.
Outdoor amenities
The Beach House also boasts a fantastic outdoor space that comes complete with comfortable sun loungers, a pizza oven, BBQ, built-in seating and – arguably the best bit – a generous sized swimming pool and hot tub. If you were visiting in the warmer months, it would be a real haven where you can enjoy the sunshine and cool off from the heat in the utmost of seclusion and privacy – so if you wanted to escape the high-season crowds on the beach, then you have everything you need at your disposal.
In fact, the property is a real destination in itself, and it would be doing it a disservice not to spend your time here making the most of it and enjoying its spa-like facilities – whether it’s swimming lengths of the pool, soaking away the stresses and strains of life in the cedar hot tub, or lounging poolside with a good book and a nice cold drink.
A surf-chic theme has been adopted across the outdoor space and in the pool’s changing area, with surfboard storage and quirky swing doors on the changing rooms – a nod to the property’s location, as the beaches of Mawgan Porth and Newquay are particularly popular with surfers thanks to the excellent conditions they offer year-round.
The front lawn was a good size, and well-tended to. The property is dog-friendly, and the outdoor space certainly comes in handy; it’s enclosed, with a locking door to the outside passage that ensures it feels really secure. If you’re bringing children here, then it also means they can play here safely while you watch on and relax.
The proximity to the beach is another added bonus – dogs are permitted on Mawgan Porth beach all year round – and there are plenty of excellent coastal walking trails nearby if you need to tire them out, too.
Parking-wise, there’s ample driveway space for up to six cars, and a car port for charging electric vehicles.
The Beach House is very well set-up for entertaining, with lots of seating areas and even a dart board and table tennis table for added fun. I could very much imagine spending a happy Christmas with family and friends here; just light the log burner, pop the turkey in the oven (it’s a great size), and chill!
Where to eat in Mawgan Porth
Although The Beach House offers excellent cooking and dining facilities to ensure you don’t need to leave to eat well, it’s nice to know that there are some great cafes and restaurants nearby should you find yourself craving variety.
Catch Seafood Bar and Grill serves up fresh, locally-caught seafood by the beach, with great views – and dogs are made very welcome.
The Merrymoor Inn is the only pub in the village, and a warm and welcoming spot where you can cosy up and enjoy some traditional pub grub whilst enjoying yet more incredible vistas. It’s family-run, and has been for three generations – and serves up classics like fish and chips or sirloin steak alongside pizzas, burgers and salads.
If you need to stock up on supplies, then local food marker Cornish Fresh is also located in the village and sells meats from local butchers, fresh produce and local wines and beers – plus, you can even pick up freshly-made Cornish pasties and wood-fired pizzas for a picnic on the beach or back at The Beach House.
About Beach Retreats
Beach Retreats is an award-winning letting and holiday property management service offering a carefully curated portfolio of over 230 privately-owned self-catering properties.
Each property has been meticulously hand-selected with the highest of standards in mind, and ranges from show-stopping contemporary apartments to charming character cottages. And, because Beach Retreats understand the magic of beachside locations, all of its properties are within walking distance of some of the best beaches in the south west.
Established by the founders of the esteemed Watergate Bay Hotel, Beach Retreats has grown rapidly since its inception, going from a local agency serving the bay and neighbouring villages of Porth and Mawgan Porth, to a Cornwall-wide agency and market leader. After joining one of the UK’s leading holiday letting agencies, Devon-based Travel Chapter in 2025, Beach Retreats now combines local and coastal expertise with national knowledge and resource.
Factbox
To book this stunning property, contact Beach Retreats on telephone 01637 861005 or visit beachretreats.co.uk.
All imagery (unless stated otherwise) was supplied by Beach Retreats
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