THE QUEACH, MOUSEHOLE
*Beautifully refurbished cottage
*Stunning sea views
*Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
*Dog friendly
*Short breaks out of season
*Fast Wi-Fi
The Welsh poet Dylan Thomas could well have written his famous line “Mousehole is the loveliest village in England” while gazing out from The Queach at its fabulous views of the village and harbour below. He stayed here in the 1930s and wrote a letter from the cottage arranging lunch with TS Eliot in London on his return. A copy is proudly displayed by the desk.
The Queach is a delightful two-bedroom granite cottage situated at an enviable vantage point in one of Cornwall’s most picturesque villages. From its elegant interiors and wonderful outdoor spaces to those panoramic views over the harbour and across Mounts Bay to the Lizard, everything about it is special. Painstakingly refurbished, it feels like a boutique hotel with its relaxed style, beautiful artwork and décor, and thoughtful little touches.
Both windows in the spacious living room have built-in seats where you can sit and watch the world go by – fishing boats, the Scillonian off to the Isles of Scilly, gulls and, if you’re lucky, a seal basking on St Clement’s Isle. The intimate sitting area, centred around a reclaimed timber mantelpiece and wood burning stove, is perfect for cosy evenings all year round. In fact, when the weather sets in, there’s no place better to snuggle up with a glass of wine and a good book (of which there are many here) by the fire, with the sound of crashing waves outside.
The kitchen is a foodie’s delight with polished concrete worktops, a large Range cooker, double butler sink and impressive cookery book collection. The dining area has hand-built bench seating and vintage grain sack cushions and is a great entertaining space.
Upstairs, the master bedroom has the wow factor, boasting exposed beams, Moroccan ceiling lanterns, an antique Provencal chest of drawers and a show-stopping copper bath. Like the living room, it has sea views from both window seats; reclining in the bath you can see right across to St Michael’s Mount, which, incidentally, is depicted in the oil painting above you. After a day exploring this magical corner of Cornwall, and a restorative soak in the tub, you’ll be ready to sink into the king size bed and drift off to sleep to the sound of the sea.
The second bedroom is a lovely peaceful space too, and faces the lush back gardens. In the spring, you might spot a family of birds nesting in the box outside. There are lots of nature and garden books here to browse. The room can be made up as a twin or a king size bed. You decide.
The light-filled bathroom has exposed beams, soft grey encaustic tiles and an invigorating walk-in rain shower.
Heading outside, the enchanting back gardens feature tropical and Mediterranean planting. Up from the kitchen you pass several sitting areas as you make your way to the top terrace, which affords rooftop views across Mounts Bay. It’s a great place for lazing in the sun. After sunset, you can do some serious stargazing across Cornwall’s famed dark skies.
It’s hard to disagree with Mr Thomas: Mousehole is the loveliest Cornish village, quaint with cobbled streets and a picture-perfect harbour, and we couldn’t imagine a better place from which to enjoy it than The Queach.
LOCATION
Mousehole is Cornwall at its absolute best and is a popular destination. It’s obvious to see why. This is a beguiling village with the prettiest of harbours and excellent restaurants, tea shops, pubs and galleries tucked away down its higgledy-piggledy lanes. Its origins date back as far as the 12th century when it was the main fishing port in Mounts Bay, and much of its old-world charm has remained. You can feel the history when you stroll around.
Mousehole lies in the far west of Cornwall and things are different here. We're surrounded on three sides by the sea, and it has a strong influence on our lives. We are spoilt for beaches. Sennen Cove with its glorious surfing, Marazion overlooking St Michaels Mount and Porthcurno with the iconic Minack Theatre built into the cliffs are all within easy reach. The working fishing harbour of Newlyn and bustling town of Penzance are only 10 minutes’ drive away. Slightly further is St Ives, home to Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, several fantastic beaches and plenty of shops and restaurants. It’s well worth a visit and we recommend taking the little train from St Erth Park and Ride, which travels along the coast right into the town. It’s breathtaking.
LIVING
Through the porch you enter the double-fronted living room, which is spacious and light with characterful flagstone floors and underfloor heating. The living area centres around a wood burner and has a squishy Loaf sofa and two Neptune armchairs. In season we will leave you enough logs to get you going for a night or two. At the other end of the room is a desk where you can pen that postcard home and shelves stocked with a well-curated library. Both windows have built-in seats and reading lights and glorious sea views past St Clement’s Isle to St Michael’s Mount in the distance.
COOKING & EATING
The kitchen at The Queach is fabulous and equipped with all you need to cook up a feast. Its inky blue units are handmade by British Standard and topped with polished concrete worktops. At the centre is a large Smeg Range with a six-ring gas hob and three electric ovens. A bookcase offers lots of local and classic cookbooks, plus there’s a dishwasher, Smeg fridge-freezer, washing machine, double Belfast sink, and an Italian stove-top Moka Pot for that essential morning coffee. At the other end is a dining area with wrap-around bench seating – it’s a great social space.
SLEEPING
The bedrooms are both on the first floor.
MASTER BEDROOM: A large, beautifully furnished space. You’ll sleep soundly in its king size Feather and Black bed with pocket-sprung mattress. Above the bed, a shimmering gilt panel echoes the blues and silvers of the sea.
SECOND BEDROOM: Facing the rear gardens it's a peaceful room with a king size zip and link bed that can also be made up as twins.
BATHING
In the master bedroom sits a stunning nickel-plated copper free-standing bath from Hurlingham. It’s on a raised deck, so you can soak away while watching the activity in the bay.
The luxurious bathroom has delicate encaustic tiles and graceful swan neck wall lights and faces the rear garden. There’s a drenching walk-in rain shower, basin, WC and heated towel rail. We’ll supply fluffy bath towels, just remember to bring your own beach towels.
OUTSIDE
You walk up to The Queach past the pretty front garden, which have been planted with roses and Verbena to provide colour from spring to late autumn. On one side is a bench, which is a fantastic spot to sit with a cup of tea and survey the views.
From the back door, steep steps lead up through the magical landscaped terraced gardens of palms, tree ferns, herbs and Agapanthus, to a top terrace made for lounging, barbecuing and gazing at the views across Mousehole’s rooftops and out to sea. Be mindful of little ones as it’s steep in places - it may not be suitable for them. Please ask us if you are unsure. The access to the gardens at the back of the cottage crosses a narrow pathway which is shared with one neighbour who uses this to access their bin.
USEFUL TO KNOW...
PARKING: There are marked out spaces along Raginnis Hill, plus the harbour car park just a few minutes' walk away, which costs £5 a day. There is also a larger car park at the entrance to the village by The Old Coastguard Hotel a few minutes away, as well as free parking on the approach to Mousehole from Newlyn.
WI-FI: Very fast (Up to 70MB) broadband means you can stay connected at The Queach. There is also a SONOS sound system.
HEATING: Central heating keeps The Queach nice and toasty. Underfloor heating downstairs, and via cast iron radiators upstairs. The wood burner in the living area will keep you cosy on cooler evenings.
PETS: Far West Cornwall is doggie heaven! There’s plenty of beaches and coast paths for exploring. One well-behaved dog is welcome at £35 per week/short break. Please make sure they stay out of bedrooms and off the furniture and that you rub down muddy/sandy feet before they come in.
LINEN & TOWELS: You'll have bedding & towels but please bring your own beach towels.
UTILITY: There is a washing machine in the kitchen and an airer, iron and ironing board.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Queach has steps up to the cottage and into the ground floor living space via a porch. Internal stairs lead up to the first-floor bedrooms and bathroom. There are steep steps up to and along the rear gardens, over several levels, so it may not be suitable for very young children or for those with limited mobility. If in doubt do ask before booking. Please note children of any age must be supervised by an adult if using the outside areas.
This property is not wheelchair friendly and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. If this applies, please contact our booking office to discuss the properties potential suitability prior to confirming.
CHANGEOVER & SHORT BREAKS: Short breaks are available throughout the year, for a minimum of 3 nights with flexible changeover days. 'Just for Two' discounts available out of season. Do check with us if your dates don’t quite fit as we will always try to help.
PROPERTY IMAGES AND DESCRIPTIONS: From time to time minor upgrades and improvements and changes to furnishings at The property may mean it varies slightly from the images and descriptions on the Website.
