Manaccan Old Vicarage, Manaccan, Cornwall

Built in the 18th century, The Old Vicarage is a romantic Grade II-listed house in Manaccan, a small village on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Spanning over 3,600 sq ft, the five-bedroom house brims with history: still in situ in the expansive garden is a former chapel, connected to the house via a sequestered passage. The closest beaches and waterfront are around a mile away, while Lizard Point is a 30-minute drive away.



Setting the Scene



Although The Old Vicarage, as it stands today, was largely built in the 18th century, the core of the building is thought to date back even further. Between 1794 and 1821, it was home to the Reverend Richard Polwhele, who was a historian, writer and poet, as well as Justice of the Peace.



In 1803, Captain William Bligh was temporarily imprisoned in an outbuilding (which remains today) at the vicarage after being wrongfully accused of spying on the area’s local naval defences. Original features pepper throughout the main home, including large chapel windows, wood panelling and ornate carved fireplace surrounds.



The Grand Tour



A cobbled private driveway bordered by lush trees and greenery forms the approach to the house. Entry is to a grand entrance hall with original timber-panelled walls and floorboards. It leads to a voluminous drawing room, where an inglenook fireplace with a wood burner is framed by a magnificent carved fireplace surround. Two sets of French doors bathe the room in light, capturing arresting views across the valley.



An arched door next to the fireplace leads to the former chapel, via an internal walkway. Currently used as a games room, it has a vaulted ceiling with exposed trusses, a set of Gothic arched doors and original floorboards.



In the kitchen, an oil-fired Aga is set into an alcove. Shaker-style cabinetry is topped with quartz, while the floor is lined with slate. A large pantry cupboard adds to the ample storage space, and a utility room sits adjacent.



The dining room is wrapped in dusty-pink timber panelling. A fireplace with a marble surround occupies a central position, while French doors open toward the front of the house. Across the hall, a bright sitting room is known as 'The Band Room'; in days gone by, parishioners would exchange their wedding bands here. A wine cellar is accessed from the hallway.



A grand staircase with column-turned balusters rises to the first floor. Here, five bright double bedrooms are filled with period details, including original fireplaces and sash windows. One room has built-in timber-panelled storage, while another room adjacent to the principal is used as a dressing room. Four bathrooms complete the plan; the largest has a vaulted ceiling, exposed stonework and a freestanding bathtub.



The Great Outdoors



A spectacular garden, with planting overseen in recent years by James Alexander-Sinclair, wraps around the house, its borders filled with Cornish palms, apple, fig and eucalyptus trees, manuka, ginger, hydrangeas, creeping thyme and chamomile. A grapevine traces a cob wall, while a kiwi vine grows elsewhere. A south-facing terrace is perfect for enjoying far-reaching views across the valley toward Gillan Creek. There is a ha-ha at the garden's edge, which allows uninterrupted vistas.



An original coach house is now a large garage attached to the house, with access to the outbuilding. The driveway provides additional parking space for several cars.



Out and About



Manaccan is a peaceful village on the Lizard peninsula, approximately 10 miles south-east of Helston. The beautiful Helford River is a six-minute drive north, while the beaches of Kennack Sands lie to the south. The local village is home to an excellent pub, The New Inn, known for its cosy atmosphere and wonderful Sunday roasts. There is a handy village store in Helford, as well as a self-service farm shop half a mile away.



Popular café, restaurant and bakery Flora, at the historic and unspoilt Trelowarren estate, is 15 minutes away by car. The independent shops of Helston are around 10 miles away, notably CAST Café and a 15th-century pub with an onsite brewery, The Blue Anchor. The university port of Falmouth is 20 miles away, with its ever-growing arts and music community. It is home to a host of artisan food stores, independent and antique shops, along with a new world music venue, arthouse cinema, waterside restaurants and pubs and the National Maritime Museum.



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 and St. Winwaloe are also easily reached.



Local schools include Manaccan Primary, Garras Community Primary and Helston Community College. From Truro, there is easy access to the A39 and A30. Redruth rail station is approximately 20 miles away, providing direct services to London Paddington in around five hours.



Council Tax Band: G