Four doubles, a twin and single bedrooms
Two bathrooms with bath only, shower room, two sitting rooms one with piano, dining room, kitchen and utility
Heated by three open fires, night storage and portable electric appliances
Front garden and two other gardens about 30 seconds from the beach
Parking for three cars max

What3Words: ///mason.ledge.engrossed

A truly fascinating and historic listed house that has presided over a good deal of smuggling, drinking and the eating of limpets, standing alone at the top of the cliff among its secret gardens overlooking the sea below.  A private path leads down to Bessy’s Cove but half a minute below, with a sand and shingle beach and good rockpooling, bathing and diving at all tides. There are several sheltered gardens with apple trees and secluded lawns including one large enough for badminton or croquet. The lower part of the back wall overhangs inside and out, indicating that the house started life as a prosperous fish cellar manufacturing oil and pressed pilchards, which formed an important industry in days gone by. Its sheer size –more of a house than a cottage- and other archaeological clues, suggest that the house owes quite a debt to a successful smuggling operation. It was once an unofficial tavern with its own distillery, and brass numbers fixed to the doors remain from its years as a guest house in the 1900s. It was lived in by Captain Harry Richards until 1905. In 2001 Charles Dance chose the house and gardens to shoot his film Ladies in Lavender starring Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Miriam Margoles, Natascha Macelhone, Daniel Bruhle, David Warner and others. In January 2012 it was used again as Joey and Flora Carter-Wood’s house in Chris Menaul’s Summer in February, starring Dan Stevens, Dominic Cooper and Emily Browning.

Charges 2024 - weeks are normally Thursday to Thursday.

Cottage/House		Sleeps		Cleaning (opt.)		4th January - 8th February		9th - 16th February		16th - 22nd February (6 nights)		22nd February - 21st March		IMS		18th April - 2nd May		2nd - 23rd May		24th - 31st May		31st May - 6th June (6 nights)		6th June - 11th July		11th July - 29th August		IMS
1 Coastguards		6		27		384		745		494		548		-		725		725		1347		1030		1204		2089
2 & 3 Coastguards		6		27		305		562		366		437		-		633		633		1070		816		953		1660
4 - 6 Coastguards		4		26		229		452		280		334		-		464		464		807		611		714		1251
7 Coastguards		4		26		230		453		281		335		-		468		468		810		612		716		1253
Top Flat		8		30		912		930		881		1049		-		1228		860		1527		1228		1379		2414
Middle Flat		10		30		1146		1169		1108		1319		-		1544		1082		1957		1544		1734		3036
Garden Flat		8		30		1049		1070		1012		1206		-		1412		989		1790		1412		1586		2776
The Lodge		7		27		305		562		366		437		-		601		601		1050		844		930		1629
The Workshop		2+1		24		381		485		381		386		-		581		581		738		551		548		933
Cliff Cottage		12		33		910		1047		910		928		-		1329		1329		2396		1749		2042		3539
Sea View House		12		33		910		1047		910		928		-		1329		1329		2396	-	1749		2042		3539
Willy's Cottage		6		27		436		876		610		727		-		987		987		1679		1213		1416		2479
The Haven		14+2		45		1023		1254		1023		1042		-		1579		1579		2688		2020		2357		3970
Trenalls Cottage		4+1		26		225		493		274		327		-		514		514		829		622		726		1226
The Granary		6		27		226		495		275		328		-		425		425		834		631		737		1232
Tare's Cottage		5		26		251		594		306		364		-		603		603		925		699		841		1368
Andiggy		5		27		226		495		275		328		-		487		487		834		631		737		1232
The Look Out		4		25		231		495		275		328				530		530		834		667		758		1232
Maister's Cottage		4+1		25		230		504		281		335				499		499		850		648		757		1256
Vida's Cottage		4		25		208		456		254		303				478		478		769		586		684		1138

Charging and Extras

The standard rent at Porth-en-alls Prussia Cove is lower than comparable places to stay. However, you should be aware of what is included and not included in this.

Unlike most other places, electricity, oil, logs, gas, bath and bed linen are extras. This keeps the rent down so you only pay for what you actually use while saving wasted power and unnecessary/unneeded laundry.

We read your electricity meter the day you arrive, record this on a brown envelope provided and you read it again and settle up on departure according to consumption (multiplying the difference by the unit price and leaving payment in the brown envelope with a cheque or cash or by bank transfer).

Oil, where central heating applies, is also metered in this way. Logs and kindling paid per bag used and use of laundry facilities (where shared with other cottages) per cycle used.

Similarly, unless you bring your own, bathroom and bed linen/beds made up, is ordered in advance on your booking form. Dogs, cots, high chairs are extras, as is cleaning at the end (optional).

CLIFF COTTAGE

What time is check in and where do I pick up the keys?

Check in is currently 4pm (go straight to the cottage) and departure 9.30am. This may be flexible so ask the office. The door over the first bridge will be left unlocked for your arrival, the keys hanging up inside

Can I arrive late at night?

Yes, any time after 4pm. We will leave the door unlocked, but you need to know where you are going and how to get there as Cliff Cottage is very difficult to find after dark if you are a first time visitor. N.B. To reach Cliff Cottage you need to turn around in the circus between Porth-en-Alls and The Lodge and then take the low road on the way back

Where do I park my car?

There is room for a maximum of three cars at the end of the road to Cliff Cottage, about 30 yards from the back door

Can I bring a pet?

Yes, but dogs and cats must be declared in advance and paid for and dogs must be kept off all furniture. You should bring a blanket/bed for them and a dog bowl and be very considerate to your neighbours. Please check your garden on departure and always be aware of your pet’s whereabouts

What is access like for limited mobility?

Not very good sadly as it is impossible to avoid lots of steps

How much should I budget for extras?

£50-100 per week depending on the time of year as this includes cooking, hot water, light and heating a large house.£15 for two bags of logs and kindling if used

Can I pay for my electricity and other fuel by BACS on departure?

We would prefer this to be settled by cash or cheque and left in the envelope provided before you leave but as long as you settle it on or soon after departure, BACS is OK. Bank details are on the brown envelope, please add the booking code as a ref. After adding your calculations, please leave the envelope on the table, don’t take it with you

What is the phone signal like?

Not good. You might get lucky from the top floor east dormer window

Is there wifi?

Not in the house but available in a room near the office

Is there a place to charge my car?

Only Trewartha has a dedicated charge point so far. We are working on this. 

Will satnav help find Cliff Cottage?

Probably not much if using only the postcode as most of the houses have the same one. Try ‘What Three Words’ and the printed map

What is the access drive like?

If you go slowly you should be fine. For heavily laden low chassis cars it might be advisable for passengers to disembark until luggage is unloaded. Be prepared to reverse as there are very few passing places. N.B. To reach Cliff Cottage you need to turn around in the circus between Porth-en-Alls and The Lodge and then take the low road on the way back 

What are the bedding arrangements?

Unless you bring your own duvet, pillow cases (two per person) and bottom sheet, you must order these from us or you will have to sleep on a mattress protector under a thin bedspread -which is not allowed!

How is the house heated?

Please refer to the overview

Are candles permitted?

Sadly not any more. Recent changes to fire regulations have banned any type of candle in holiday accommodation

Can we light an open fire?

Yes in the sitting room and dining rooms only, but you must make sure the guard is in place when the room is not occupied. Use only our logs or other properly seasoned logs of the right length. Don’t stoke up before leaving the building. Again, we trust you to be extremely careful and acquaint yourself with the location of extinguishers. Two bags of logs, a bag of kindling and a box of firelighters will be delivered for your arrival between October half term and Whitsun. This is settled at the end with your electricity if used.

How far is the nearest pub/restaurant?

The Falmouth Packet (1.5 miles, 20 mins on foot) is more of a restaurant than a pub these days but it is still fine to go there for a drink only. The food is good and so is the beer

How far is the nearest good surfing?

Prah Sands, but it depends on the weather. Kenneggy can be very good when conditions are right. Conditions on the North coast (30 minutes away) are usually the opposite to the South coast

Are picnic blankets provided?

No and please don’t be tempted to use the bedspreads nor cushions outside

Is there a microwave?

Not as standard but we have one or two if required. Ask in advance

Is it OK to smoke?

No, I’m afraid not inside. If you smoke outside, please pick up and dispose of your butts as we don’t have time to do this for you

Is there a TV?

No, none of the houses has one, by popular request

Can we have a party in Cliff Cottage?

You can’t exceed the number of people who can be accommodated as standard in the house without prior consent. There are insurance, safety and wear and tear issues at play. Sleeping by extra people on sofas etc. is strictly forbidden, as is sleeping in a van outside. Where you have booked more than one house for a get together, this will have been discussed with the office