The Old Chapel, Trewarmett, Cornwall

Resting where the land begins to slope down to the sea at Trebarwith Strand, this spectacular 19th-century chapel has been converted into a spacious house spanning some 2,200 sq ft. It has an inverted layout, with its open-plan living spaces unfolding across the entirety of the first floor; here, arresting ecclesiastical features include tall arched windows and soaring proportions. The Old Chapel has a private rear garden and is close to a stretch of coastline that includes Trebarwith Beach.

Setting the Scene

Trewarmett lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was likely first populated by slate miners working in the Trebarwith Valley, a key industry in the area hailing back to the 14th century.

The sightline to the sea from The Old Chapel is framed by a cypress tree, synonymous with this corner of the West Country. Greenery surrounds the coastal valley, congregating into deeper, richer shades. The lea perfectly frames a view of Gulf Rock, while for miles until the horizon, nothing breaks the vast ocean. The house has been rented out successfully as a holiday let for the past seven years, and comfortably sleeps between eight to 10 people.

The Grand Tour

Thoughtfully converted, the bedrooms are configured on the lower ground and gallery floors. This 'upside down' layout means that a glorious open-plan reception room, dining area and kitchen is found on the first storey, with elevated views over one of Cornwall’s rolling fields and one of its most rugged stretches of coastline in the distance. Long floorboards run the length of the room, emphasising its spaciousness. Overhead, rich and warm wood panelling spans diagonally between the rafters. There is also a clever, concealed guest shower tucked into a cupboard.

To the rear of the room, kitchen cabinetry with excellent workspace has likewise been hewn from a worn but tactile timber. A glazed door at one end invites in light and allows ease of movement between indoors and out. Pots and pans hang from hooks over a Belfast sink that brings a rural charm.

Arched Gothic windows provide far-reaching views out over Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand. Patches of light inch across the floor throughout the day and red column radiators colourfully punctuate the timber walls. At one end, there is a large contemporary wood-burning stove, flanked by two windows, apt for pulling up armchairs to the fireside when the nights draw in.

On the gallery floor, a bedroom and a sleeping platform sit beneath the roof. Framed by the timber panels, the room has a restful, almost treehouse-like feel with skylights which frame the same far-reaching views. There is space for soft seating or an additional bed in a mezzanine space. A family bathroom on the ground floor off the entrance hall has a freestanding bathtub.

There are two good-sized bedrooms on the lower ground floor. Magnificent fanlights crown the sash windows, bathing below spaces with sunlight. There is a large landing outside the bedrooms, apt for use as a playroom, study, with space for a sofa bed if additional accommodation is needed. There is another family bathroom here, with separate shower and WC.

A large garage comfortably parks two cars, with ample room for surf boards, beach gear as well as a separate log store.

The Great Outdoors

The rear garden is sheltered from the changing elements from its position tucked behind the house. Laid to lawn, the garden backs onto a field. There is a raised terrace with space for a dining table or deck chairs looking out over its pretty surroundings. Steps lead down from the kitchen terrace to the lawn and a patio inlet perfect for a barbecue.

Out and About

Trewarmett is a small village in Tintagel, about a 30-minute walk away from the mile-long stretch of golden sand at Trebarwith Bay. There is a path that leads to the castle at Tintagel, known for its ruins and its breathtaking bridge spanning a 58-metre drop reconnecting two sides of the medieval ruin.

The house is within walking distance of the Port William and Mill House Inn pubs. The landscape hotel Kudhva is a 10-minute drive inland and offers beautifully curated, architect-designed off-grid cabins, as well as various yoga and wellness retreats throughout the year.

A flurry of exciting new restaurant openings has turned this part of Cornwall into a gastronomic hotspot. Coombeshead Farm leads the way with sustainable produce, The Hidden Hut is unbeatable for seafood, and Nathan Outlaw was recently named the best restaurant in the entire country. Nearby there are numerous eateries too, including The Port William, The Rocket Store, Temple, Pilchards, Mexi Kernow.

The sought-after town of Padstow can be reached in around 40 minutes by car. It offers an excellent selection of fresh seafood restaurants, cafés and bars, including Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No6 and Prawn on the Lawn. The Pig Hotel at Harlyn Bay is also nearby, and Coombeshead Farm has an excellent menu defined by its nose-to-tail approach to eating.

The geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in the late nineties, are around a 50-minute drive inland. St Ives is reachable within an hour and twenty minutes, and is a great choice for fresh seafood, from beach shack to white tablecloth. Here, the delights of Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden can also be found.

Communications to Cornwall have vastly improved over recent years, with the A30 dual carriageway just north of Truro giving fast access to the M5 motorway at Exeter. Newquay’s train station connects to Plymouth, with direct trains to London from here in just over three hours. Cornwall Airport (Newquay) also provides regular shuttle flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and many other seasonal European destinations.

Council Tax Bracket: D