The Cart House, Constantine, Cornwall

The Carthouse and its outbuildings form an exceptional modern home of over 3,050 sq ft in a quiet, rural position near the Helford River. Breathing new life into the 19th-century foundations, the original granite cottage has been restored and extended with exquisite attention to detail. A two-bedroom cottage, a modern studio annexe, and a hot tub are sited across a shingle courtyard, and at the sloping ridge of the private 1.8-acre gardens lies a deep nature pond with panoramic views. While the surrounding landscape is pastoral in nature, the beautiful beaches of Falmouth are just 20 minutes' drive away.



Environmental Performance



Underfloor heating is provided via a ground source heat pump, and fresh air ventilation comes from an MVHR system. There is also a private treatment plant, a borehole and a 22 kW EV charger.



The Tour



The house is approached via a quiet country lane, with a private driveway providing off-street parking for several cars. Granite stone walls form a soft architectural profile and nod to the site’s age-old heritage. In contrast, the interiors take a sharp and exacting approach to light and space, with a focus on using natural and raw materials.



The primary entrance, positioned on the westerly side, leads directly into the boot room and cloakroom. This, in turn, guides towards an impressive open-plan living space across its single storey. Vaulted ceilings are cross-hatched with exposed beams, bringing a palpable sense of height and volume. Smooth polished concrete runs underfoot.



Handmade Accoya hardwood windows frame far-reaching views across the gardens and valley beyond, while bifold glazed doors open this entire section of the house to the inner courtyard in the warmer months. Cooking, eating, and dining areas are arranged in a fluid, sociable layout, for ease of day-to-day life and entertaining. A pantry and utility room are neatly tucked to one side.



An arterial corridor, bathed in sunlight streaming in through overhead skylights, leads to two bedrooms on the westerly aspect; both are beautifully proportioned, bright and quiet in equal measure. Glass doors open directly to the garden from the main bedroom and a dressing area lies adjacent. The en suite bathroom has both a bathtub and a walk-in shower. The second bedroom has a mezzanine level and lies adjacent to the shared bathroom, with a microcement shower and a bathtub.



The adjoining two-bedroom cottage has been artfully restored to optimise the excellent quality of natural light that pours in. Natural, tactile materials and soft neutral colouring have been expertly applied throughout. Its living space comprises a large open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space, with a log burner positioned centrally. There is also a brilliant shared bathroom.



Crossing the shingle courtyard, a timber-clad studio provides an ideal space for home working, yoga or overflow accommodation. Floor-to-ceiling glazing follows the dramatic pitch of the roofline, providing sublime leafy views through the woodland. Planning has also been granted for a second timber-framed building, details of which can be found here: PA22/02653.



Outdoor Space



Wellness and a connection to the natural surroundings were paramount to the design of the outdoor areas, which extend to approximately 1.8 acres in total. A natural swimming pond forms a focal point and a lovely spot for cool dips, while granite steps and rockery lead down to the inner courtyards from the lane, where an outdoor shower and a hot tub provide a welcome respite throughout the seasons.



A natural landscaping scheme incorporates swathes of lawn and wildflower meadow that takes centre stage in early summer. Herbaceous borders and raised beds provide space for growing vegetables and flowers, and specimen trees form the boundary. The views are spectacular, reaching out across the Helford Valley, open countryside and surrounding woodland.



The Area



The immediate location feels private and secluded; the house is set off a private no-through road alongside a few other private homes forming the area of Tresahor. The sought-after village of Constantine lies a mile away and is easily reached on foot via a woodland path beyond the meadow. The village has a good provision of daily amenities, including a local pub, a school, a doctor’s surgery and a church.



Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Helford River and celebrated for its tranquil scenery. There is a passenger ferry, close to the famous Ferry Boat Inn, linking Helford Passage with Helford village, which enjoys a shop and a public house.



The area is renowned for its range of leisure activities available, particularly when it comes to swimming, boating and watersports. There are a number of sailing and yacht clubs in the vicinity, and a popular regatta schedule runs throughout the summer. Golfing enthusiasts are spoilt for choice; a popular option is the 18-hole course at the nearby Budock Vean Hotel, which also has excellent spa facilities.



The beautiful Helford River, with its sailing facilities and glorious sub-tropical gardens, is also nearby. The popular café, restaurant and bakery Flora, at the historic and unspoilt Trelowarren estate, is 20 minutes by car and The Black Swan and The Ship Inn are among local favourites for pubs nearby. The independent shops of Helston are also a 20-minute drive away, notably CAST Café and a 15th-century pub with an onsite brewery, The Blue Anchor.



There are a number of breathtaking coastal walks in the area, and the beautiful gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan are close by. The house is also exceptionally well located for easy access to The Lizard Heritage Coast. The golden sands of Church Cove, a hidden gem perfect for surfing, swimming and bathing, can be reached in around 30 minutes by car. Dollar Cove, which takes its name from the silver dollars that still wash up from an ancient wreck and the charming 13th-century church, St Winwalloe, are also both within easy reach. Lizard Point, Britain’s most southerly, is a 35-minute drive away.



The cathedral city of Truro is approximately 30 minutes by car. It has a fantastic selection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as a museum and theatre. The university and port town of Falmouth is 25 minutes away, with an ever-growing arts and music community. It also has a host of artisan food stores, independent and antique shops abound along with a new world music venue, arthouse cinema, waterside restaurants and pubs and the National Maritime Museum.



St Ives is within a 50-minute drive to the north-west, with its own Tate and the Anima Mundi Gallery, a leading contemporary art gallery in the South West. It is also home to the wonderfully preserved Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Nearby is Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, host to a multitude of installations by international artists.



Local schools include the primary and secondary schools in the harbour village of Mullion, Truro School and Truro High School for Girls, and Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Falmouth.



From Truro, there is easy access to the A39 and A30. Stations in Truro and Redruth are both 30 minutes by car, providing direct GWR links to London Paddington in four and a half hours.



Council Tax Band: C