Dating to the late 18th century, this characterful two-bedroom, Grade II-listed cottage is tucked away in the bucolic village of St Tudy, Cornwall. Lovingly restored by the current owners, its interiors have been beautifully finished with exposed lime plaster walls and a pared-back colour scheme. Outside lies an enchanting south-westerly garden, where climbing wisteria and roses traverse the cottage’s façade. Nestled near the northern coast of Cornwall, St Tudy is in a brilliant spot close to Padstow and a 15-minute drive from the sea.
Setting the Scene
The heart of Cornwall is characterised by narrow, winding lanes that suddenly open up to reveal picturesque villages lined with pretty cottages. St Tudy is an enchanting place with a Grade I-listed church and a strong sense of community.
Situated in the heart of the village, this charming semi-detached cottage occupies a prime position on Chapel Road. It is formed of distinctive Cornish granite stone (a material synonymous with the region) and is topped with a rag slate roof. Its symmetrical façade, balanced by sash windows, is covered with a climbing wisteria. For more information, please see the History section.
The Grand Tour
A series of stone paving slabs leads through the garden to the front door. Stepping inside, the sitting room is on the left, where a muted yet inviting colour scheme has been adopted.
During the restoration process, the current owners revealed the room’s original lime plaster walls; one has been left exposed, while the others have been painted in a gentle beige hue by Bauwerk, creating a subtle backdrop for the white-painted timber-beamed ceiling. A new wood burner takes centre stage in the fireplace, flanked by open shelving on either side of the flue. Cosy in the evenings, the room is also light-filled in the day care of a wide bay window.
On the other side of the plan, the kitchen adopts a similarly serene scheme with white cabinetry and pale wooden countertops. A deep butler’s sink and a Rangemaster cooker complete the space.
A flight of stairs with exposed woodwork leads to the first floor. The principal bedroom lies on one side, with elegant floorboards underfoot and walls are washed in a biscuity colour from Bauwerk. Streamlined full-length cabinets add plenty of storage, while a three-quarter-length sash window makes the room exceptionally light and airy.
An open archway leads to the second bedroom, which is currently used as a studio. Here, a cleverly crafted single bed doubles as a storage cabinet, typifying the thoughtful design that runs throughout the cottage.
Continuing the southern Spanish and Moroccan-inspired feeling that permeates the house, the bathroom has a rainfall shower set behind a plastered tadelakt wall partition. Punctuating brass accents lend a contemporary flourish.
The Great Outdoors
A charming garden lies at the front of the cottage and is dotted with a variety of mature perennials and climbing shrubs, including wisteria, jasmine, and clematis. Luscious and green in the summer months, the garden is equally as arresting in the colder seasons, when its sculptural arching branches create an architectural interest.
A rose shrub spills generously over the low stone wall, showering the surroundings in a riot of pink blooms that extend well into autumn. An enclosed gravel and paved area is the perfect spot to set up a table and chairs in the garden’s bright south-facing aspect.
Out and About
St Tudy is a delightful village in the heart of Cornwall, with plenty to do in the local area. The St Tudy Inn, a two-minute walk from the house, is loved for its excellent food and chic interior design. Slightly further afield, The Saint Kew Inn comes highly recommended for its tranquil setting and forward-thinking cuisine. For provisions, the Saint Kew Farm Shop is a short drive away and supplies locally sourced or grown produce.
A number of well-known towns and fishing villages are within easy reach. Port Isaac is just a 15-minute drive away; its exquisite harbour has become known as the setting of Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin-starred The Fish Kitchen. The town is also a lovely place to begin a hike along the Coastal Path, passing through Port Gaverne and heading towards the famed Tintagel Castle.
Beloved fishing village Padstow is a 30-minute drive away. It is renowned for the restaurants owned by Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth, such as The Seafood Restaurant and No.6 respectively, in addition to the hip Prawn on the Lawn. From here, Cornwall’s northern coast has plenty of surfing and sailing prospects.
The nearest town is Bodmin, which links to the A30 towards Exeter. From Exeter, there are links to the M5 towards Bristol and the A303 towards London. Exeter is on the train line that leads from London Paddington, while Bodmin Parkway has a smaller train station on the same line.
Council Tax Band: C
History
The village and parish of St Tudy – “Eglostudi” in Cornish – has a rich and captivating history spanning centuries. Evidence dates the earliest habitation in the area to the Iron Age, and the Romans later occupied the area until the Angles and Saxons began invading around 449 AD. This moved Christian Britons westwards into Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. In the 5th and 6th centuries, Celtic missionaries travelled to Cornwall and northern France, establishing Christian churches and monasteries and strengthening the cultural and trade links between the regions.
This period is often called Cornwall’s ‘Age of Saints’, with many Cornish place names reflecting the influence of these ancient Celtic saints. Likewise, the origins of this idyllic village date to the 6th century, when the ancient parish and its church were established and named for Tudinus Tudic, a Welsh monk who established several missionaries along the north and west coasts of Brittany. The parish grew around this religious site, attracting pilgrims and settlers seeking solace and spiritual guidance, including Celtic monks in northern France fleeing Norman invasion. The church was extensively rebuilt by the Normans in a cruciform shape; today it is Grade I-listed.
St Tudy thrived as an agricultural centre throughout the Middle Ages, with farming and livestock playing a crucial role in its economy. The village became renowned for its fertile soil, producing abundant crops and sustaining the local population, although it suffered severe losses as the Black Plague swept through in the mid-1300s. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the village experienced significant growth and transformation due to a mining boom following the discovery of nearby tin and copper deposits. This new wave of industry strengthened St Tudy’s economy, brought in new residents and expanded the village’s infrastructure, although the medieval streetscape remains largely unchanged with the church and the original Celtic burial ground at centre and a ‘spider-web’ of streets and lanes extending outwards.
With the decline of the mining industry in the late 19th century, St Tudy faced economic challenges and largely reverted to its agricultural roots. In the 20th century, however, St Tudy has witnessed a resurgence as a tourist destination; its charm and proximity to Cornwall’s stunning coastline attract visitors from far and wide. Past notable residents include Captain William Bligh, of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame, who was born in St Tudy in 1754.
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