Entire home
Unique Beachside Listed Cornish Engine House
Holiday home in Truro with kitchen and fireplace
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Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 82000 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Porthtowan, England
- Place, Porthtowan Beach2 min walk
- Place, Chapel Porth Beach17 min walk
- Place, Eden Project44 min drive
- Airport, Newquay (NQY-Newquay Cornwall)33 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom 1
2 Single Beds and 2 Double Beds
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Spaces
Kitchen
Separate dining area
About this property
Unique Beachside Listed Cornish Engine House
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
The Engine House is a unique part of Cornwall's mining heritage and beach culture. Featured on "Grand Designs" and "Homes by the Sea" it provides immediate access to the beach for amazing walks and awesome surf. It is comfortable for 6 (can take 8 with a sofa bed), with modern kitchen, central heating, wood-fired stove and outdoor pizza oven. A perfect base in the heart of Cornwall. Changeovers on Fridays, or Fridays/Mondays out-of-season. The Engine House in Porthtowan is a completely unique part of Cornwall's heritage and lifestyle. Built at the height of the Cornish mining boom, it is a Grade II Listed beachside property with infinite character, comfort and convenience. The reverse level layout gives stunning beach views from the open-plan first and top floor, and the wrap-around first-floor level deck with pizza oven and outdoor furniture make for a perfect setting. In the heart of Poldark country, Porthtowan is located between Illogan and St. Agnes (known as St. Annes in the book and TV series) with spectacular countryside walks in both directions along the South West Coastal Path. Featured in Charlie Luxton's C4 Programme "Homes by the Sea" in September 2015, The Engine House is a genuine part of Cornwall's heritage. Charlie says in the show "I could live here - I could definitely live here"!. Other TV coverage includes Robson Green's Wild Swimming Adventure, when he swam in the Victorian tidal pool on the beach, describing it as "perfect". Kevin Mcleod briefly featured The Engine House in Grand Designs (Series 7, episode 18), where he said "The Engine House at Porthtowan is one of the more successful conversions I have seen. It is unconventional."...."It proves that it is possible to make a beautiful home from these industrial dinosaurs". All yours! We live in Truro, so are generally available to help with any issues. Apart from staying in a true part of Cornwall's heritage, Porthtowan is a seaside village with everything you might want from a Cornish holiday - a great Blue-Flag sandy beach, amazing surf with RNLI Lifeguards, long walks along the Coastal Path to the Chapel Porth National Trust Cafe, great food and atmosphere at the renowned Blue Bar (www.blue-bar.co.uk) and other village amenities including a pub, cafe, fish and chips, post office and general store. It is also centrally located for day trips to the beautiful cathedral city of Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives. St Michaels Mount, Padstow, Lands End and The Eden Project are all within in a 45 minute radius. There is a regular bus service to Truro and beyond from the village, and Redruth Station is only a few miles away. ACCOMMODATION - There are two double bedrooms and a twin with two 2'6" beds which can be joined to create another double if required. There is also a double sofa-bed in the top-floor lounge. Please let us know if you want this made up. BATHROOMS - The main bathroom contains a loo, sink and bath with hand-held shower but no screen between the main bedroom and the twin. There is also a wet-room with loo sink and shower near the other double room. PARKING - There is plenty of space for parking, although there is a lip on the drive and often plenty of sand which can make it awkward for low-slung or sporty cars. There is also free parking directly opposite if you struggle to get in. We really enjoy sharing our unique home with our guests, especially those who understand that owning a converted Listed Industrial Building on an Atlantic Beach is something of an adventure! The constant battering of the wind, salt and sand through the winter, together with the constraints of the listing (including single-glazed timber sash windows, open-tread wooden stairs etc.) mean that it cannot really match the comfort of a boutique 5-star hotel. We believe that the location, character and comfort represent great value for money, and a perfect setting for a unique Cornish Stay, as do so many of our regular and returning guests. If you have any concerns about accessibility or any other aspect of your accommodation, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
The Engine House is a unique part of Cornwall's mining heritage and beach culture. Featured on "Grand Designs" and "Homes by the Sea" it provides immediate access to the beach for amazing walks and awesome surf. It is comfortable for 6 (can take 8 with a sofa bed), with modern kitchen, central heating, wood-fired stove and outdoor pizza oven. A perfect base in the heart of Cornwall. Changeovers on Fridays, or Fridays/Mondays out-of-season. The Engine House in Porthtowan is a completely unique part of Cornwall's heritage and lifestyle. Built at the height of the Cornish mining boom, it is a Grade II Listed beachside property with infinite character, comfort and convenience. The reverse level layout gives stunning beach views from the open-plan first and top floor, and the wrap-around first-floor level deck with pizza oven and outdoor furniture make for a perfect setting. In the heart of Poldark country, Porthtowan is located between Illogan and St. Agnes (known as St. Annes in the book and TV series) with spectacular countryside walks in both directions along the South West Coastal Path. Featured in Charlie Luxton's C4 Programme "Homes by the Sea" in September 2015, The Engine House is a genuine part of Cornwall's heritage. Charlie says in the show "I could live here - I could definitely live here"!. Other TV coverage includes Robson Green's Wild Swimming Adventure, when he swam in the Victorian tidal pool on the beach, describing it as "perfect". Kevin Mcleod briefly featured The Engine House in Grand Designs (Series 7, episode 18), where he said "The Engine House at Porthtowan is one of the more successful conversions I have seen. It is unconventional."...."It proves that it is possible to make a beautiful home from these industrial dinosaurs". All yours! We live in Truro, so are generally available to help with any issues. Apart from staying in a true part of Cornwall's heritage, Porthtowan is a seaside village with everything you might want from a Cornish holiday - a great Blue-Flag sandy beach, amazing surf with RNLI Lifeguards, long walks along the Coastal Path to the Chapel Porth National Trust Cafe, great food and atmosphere at the renowned Blue Bar (www.blue-bar.co.uk) and other village amenities including a pub, cafe, fish and chips, post office and general store. It is also centrally located for day trips to the beautiful cathedral city of Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives. St Michaels Mount, Padstow, Lands End and The Eden Project are all within in a 45 minute radius. There is a regular bus service to Truro and beyond from the village, and Redruth Station is only a few miles away. ACCOMMODATION - There are two double bedrooms and a twin with two 2'6" beds which can be joined to create another double if required. There is also a double sofa-bed in the top-floor lounge. Please let us know if you want this made up. BATHROOMS - The main bathroom contains a loo, sink and bath with hand-held shower but no screen between the main bedroom and the twin. There is also a wet-room with loo sink and shower near the other double room. PARKING - There is plenty of space for parking, although there is a lip on the drive and often plenty of sand which can make it awkward for low-slung or sporty cars. There is also free parking directly opposite if you struggle to get in. We really enjoy sharing our unique home with our guests, especially those who understand that owning a converted Listed Industrial Building on an Atlantic Beach is something of an adventure! The constant battering of the wind, salt and sand through the winter, together with the constraints of the listing (including single-glazed timber sash windows, open-tread wooden stairs etc.) mean that it cannot really match the comfort of a boutique 5-star hotel. We believe that the location, character and comfort represent great value for money, and a perfect setting for a unique Cornish Stay, as do so many of our regular and returning guests. If you have any concerns about accessibility or any other aspect of your accommodation, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Parking available
Fireplace
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
Pets allowed: limit 3 total
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Truro
Truro is home to this holiday home. Wheal Coates Tin Mine and East Pool Mine are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Trevaskis Farm and Discovery Quay. Ready for a night out? Consider Gwennap Pit and Performance Centre. Scuba diving offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.

Porthtowan, England
What's nearby
- Porthtowan Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Chapel Porth Beach - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
- Fistral Beach - 27 min drive - 31.8 km
- Watergate Bay Beach - 31 min drive - 36.5 km
- Eden Project - 44 min drive - 57.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Cornish Pantry - 6 min drive
- The Inn For All Seasons - 7 min drive
- Portreath Arms - 8 min drive
- Red Lion Inn - 8 min drive
- Schooners - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Robert Salvoni
Having bought the amazing Engine House (property number 8125960) in 2000 and enjoyed every holiday and weekend we could possibly have there as a family from our London home, we fell in love with Cornwall and made the decision to move down full time in 2011. After living at The Engine House for a few years, we moved to a larger home nearby to accommodate our growing family, with the intent of moving back once we get rid of the kids! It is first and foremost a family home, rather than a boutique hotel, and we welcome guests who embrace all that makes Cornish Holidays special. Be careful - holidays in Cornwall can be addictive!
Why they chose this property
Cornwall's metals have been mined since Roman times, and the dramatic landscape owes much to the extraction of tin, copper and Gold. In the 19th Century, local boy Richard Trevithick developed the massive steam Beam Engines that allowed deep mines to be dug without flooding. These had to be housed in tall thin buildings called Engine Houses, the ruins of which punctuate the Cornish countryside.
The Grade II Listed Engine House in Porthtowan is one of only a handful that have been converted to residential use, and of these, the only one actually on a beach! This makes it completely unique, and a fabulous way of enjoying both the heritage and natural wonders of Cornwall together. Conversion and maintenance is always a challenge with these industrial buildings - no cavity walls or double glazing, but we hope you will embrace the quirkiness that makes it so special to us.
The Grade II Listed Engine House in Porthtowan is one of only a handful that have been converted to residential use, and of these, the only one actually on a beach! This makes it completely unique, and a fabulous way of enjoying both the heritage and natural wonders of Cornwall together. Conversion and maintenance is always a challenge with these industrial buildings - no cavity walls or double glazing, but we hope you will embrace the quirkiness that makes it so special to us.
What makes this property unique
Apart from staying in a true part of Cornwall's heritage, Porthtowan is a seaside village with everything you might want from a Cornish holiday - a superb Blue-Flag sandy beach, amazing surf with RNLI Lifeguards, long walks along the Coastal Path to the Chapel Porth National Trust Cafe, great food and atmosphere at the renowned Blue Bar and other village amenities including a pub, cafe, fish and chips, post office and general store. It is also centrally located for day trips to the beautiful cathedral city of Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives. St Michaels Mount, Padstow, Lands End and The Eden Project are all within in a 45 minute radius.
Languages:
English, Italian
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