Carnacalla Cottage

12
1

Sennen, Cornwall

Sublime old cottage near Land's End in Cornwall, with expertly curated interiors and sea views (sleeps 12; perfect for celebrations)

6 Bedrooms

3 Bathrooms

Child friendly

Close to a beach

Dog friendly

Parking

Private garden

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

Space & setting.

It was a spark of synchronicity that drew the owner of this whimsical cottage here, to the wild coast of West Cornwall, whose landscapes have been compared to California’s Big Sur and Mallorca. And in the 5 years since, she has converted it into a super-special hideaway where lasting memories with friends and family can be made in a world of sea and sky, wind and waves. Nature-lovers, water people, artists and creators; this is not one to be missed.

The renovation of the cottage, built in the 1800s and formerly owned by the National Trust, was a true labour of love. From unearthing original features, like a Delabole slate floor and a ship’s mast used as a central beam, to breathing new life with Moroccan tiles and Italian brass, every corner was carefully conceived. Interiors wise, natural textiles now blend with coastal curiosities and vintage finds, and the general impression is one of calm, with lots of space both inside and out. We particularly love the grown-up sitting room, bathed in natural light and full of inspiring reading material; in winter, the cosy dark-painted snug must be gorgeous for film and game nights. And the best part? A little footpath leads straight from the garden gate to the beach, beckoning early morning swims and sunset strolls. It’s the kind of routine we could get used to.

Getting here: drive, or train to Penzance, then taxi (20 mins)

Special touches.

* Boat trips along the coastline

owner of sky-cottage-senne

“We’ve lived between Hackney and Cornwall for over 10 years, since we fell in love with Sennen and the coastline of West Penwith. There is a very timeless feel to this area; a slower pace paired with simple values and a lack of commercialism. Finding this cottage was a wonderful synchronicity. An estate agent was standing outside as we drove past one day; his appointment had stood him up, so we asked if we could have a look around. We put an offer on the same day! We spent over a year renovating and bringing back some of the original features, adding cast iron radiators, 2 wood burners and opening up the kitchen and dining room. We have furnished it with antiques and art that we’ve collected over the years, as well as pottery, glass and natural objects found on walks. It is a constantly evolving space which been in our family for 5 years now, a wonderful place for special occasions with the ones you cherish.” Owner, Polly

My Kip favourites

She loves
“Getting up early for a dawn swim or surf and watching the sun rise over the cliffs at Sennen.”

We love
The unique treasures that add a personal charm: from artisan pottery by local makers, and paintings from the famous Newlyn Art School in Penzance, to straw hats collected from all over the world.

You may not love
A 2, 4 or 7-night min stay; see Specifics. You’ll need a car to properly explore the area.

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  • "We had a lovely stay at the cottage. It is an interior designers dream. Calm, clean and thoughtful. The beds are comfy, the linens are good quality - which always makes a difference. There are lots of places to relax, a large and fully kitted out kitchen, outdoor seating and a table for eating- also a big bbq which we used a few times. Polly has great taste and obviously really cares about this property. We loved staying here. Location wise it was perfect for us, you can walk to the beach in less than 10 minutes there are beautiful coastal walks on your doorstep; a couple of great pubs In walking distance and if you have a car, lots more to explore in nearby Zennor/Mousehole/Newlyn/Penzance and St Ives. Thoroughly recommend and likely to return."

    Beth, 2023

Surrounds.

  • Sky Cottage Sennen
  • Sky Cottage Sennen
  • Sky Cottage Sennen
  • Men an Tol © D Kah via Unsplash
    Men an Tol © D Kah via Unsplash
  • Cape Cornwall © National Trust
    Cape Cornwall © National Trust
  • Minack Theatre © Benjamin Elliott via Unsplash
    Minack Theatre © Benjamin Elliott via Unsplash
  • West Penwith’s coastal landscape has been likened to California’s Big Sur, Sicily, Mallorca, and the west coast of Ireland. Immerse yourself in its wild beauty with a walk to Gwenver, a secluded sweep of sand framed by grassy cliffs, or Cape Cornwall, a rugged headland that juts out to where the Atlantic meets the English Channel.
  • Go surfing at Sennen Cove, an exposed beach that picks up any swell from the Atlantic. First-timers can take a lesson with the award-winning Sennen Surfing Centre.
  • Visit the sub-tropical gardens at Minack Theatre, a spectacular open-air theatre that clings to the cliffs above idyllic Porthcurno Beach. Or book in to watch a show.
  • Follow the coastal path from Zennor to the Gurnard’s Head, taking in clifftop views of hidden coves and mining relics, then stop for lunch at The Gurnard’s Head pub; their seasonal menu changes daily.
  • The land around here is steeped in myth and folklore, with many standing stones and ancient monuments. Up the coast from the cottage is Men an Tol (meaning ‘holed stone’ in Cornish), a mystical site of moorland where 4 stones, one of which has a hole in the middle and acclaimed magical powers, have stood since the Bronze Age.

Specifics.

  • Spacious 19thC cottage with garden and direct beach access
  • 6 bedrooms: 1 super king with in-room bath; 1 kingsize, 3 doubles and 1 twin
  • 3 bathrooms: the master has an ensuite shower room; the other rooms share 2 bathrooms, which each have a shower and bath
  • Kitchen/diner with double fridge freezer, oven, induction hob and food processor; basics provided
  • Living room with woodburner
  • Reading room with Smart TV
  • Snug with smart TV
  • Books, board games, bluetooth speaker
  • WiFi and phone reception
  • Toys, buckets and spades for children; 2 highchairs, plastic crockery and 2 travel cots (BYO bedding)
  • Front courtyard with table and chairs
  • Fully enclosed back garden with BBQ, sunloungers, tables and chairs
  • Private off-road parking for 4/5 cars
  • The owners are available by phone should you need anything
  • There’s a shop across the road or farm shops are 10 mins’ drive
  • Walk to pubs, cafés and a local Tuesday market in Sennen (10 mins)
  • Dog friendly – downstairs only, 1 bed provided, £25 per dog per stay
  • Booking conditions: a 7-night minimum stay during high season (Easter, July, August and Christmas, with Friday changeovers); 4 nights for mid season and 2 nights in low season
  • Security deposit: £500
  • Remember to pack: beach towels, surfboards and wetsuits, walking boots

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40% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.

Cancellations
8+ weeks prior to stay: deposit refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
6-8 weeks prior to stay: deposit retained, 70% balance refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
4-6 weeks prior to stay: 50% of the total booking fee retained, 50% refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 4 weeks of stay.

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