Trewarmett, Cornwall £550,000 Freehold

The Old Chapel

The house's elevated position provides far-reaching views across this storied and sublime corner of Cornwall

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Resting where the land begins to slope down to the sea at Trebarwith Strand, this spectacular 19th-century chapel has been converted into a spacious house spanning some 2,200 sq ft. It has an inverted layout, with its open-plan living spaces unfolding across the entirety of the first floor; here, arresting ecclesiastical features include tall arched windows and soaring proportions. The Old Chapel has a private rear garden and is close to a stretch of coastline that includes Trebarwith Beach.

Setting the Scene

Trewarmett lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was likely first populated by slate miners working in the Trebarwith Valley, a key industry in the area hailing back to the 14th century.

The sightline to the sea from The Old Chapel is framed by a cypress tree, synonymous with this corner of the West Country. Greenery surrounds the coastal valley, congregating into deeper, richer shades. The lea perfectly frames a view of Gulf Rock, while for miles until the horizon, nothing breaks the vast ocean. The house has been rented out successfully as a holiday let for the past seven years, and comfortably sleeps between eight to 10 people.

The Grand Tour

Thoughtfully converted, the bedrooms are configured on the lower ground and gallery floors. This ‘upside down’ layout means that a glorious open-plan reception room, dining area and kitchen is found on the first storey, with elevated views over one of Cornwall’s rolling fields and one of its most rugged stretches of coastline in the distance. Long floorboards run the length of the room, emphasising its spaciousness. Overhead, rich and warm wood panelling spans diagonally between the rafters. There is also a clever, concealed guest shower tucked into a cupboard.

To the rear of the room, kitchen cabinetry with excellent workspace has likewise been hewn from a worn but tactile timber. A glazed door at one end invites in light and allows ease of movement between indoors and out. Pots and pans hang from hooks over a Belfast sink that brings a rural charm.

Arched Gothic windows provide far-reaching views out over Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand. Patches of light inch across the floor throughout the day and red column radiators colourfully punctuate the timber walls. At one end, there is a large contemporary wood-burning stove, flanked by two windows, apt for pulling up armchairs to the fireside when the nights draw in.

On the gallery floor, a bedroom and a sleeping platform sit beneath the roof. Framed by the timber panels, the room has a restful, almost treehouse-like feel with skylights which frame the same far-reaching views. There is space for soft seating or an additional bed in a mezzanine space. A family bathroom on the ground floor off the entrance hall has a freestanding bathtub.

There are two good-sized bedrooms on the lower ground floor. Magnificent fanlights crown the sash windows, bathing below spaces with sunlight. There is a large landing outside the bedrooms, apt for use as a playroom, study, with space for a sofa bed if additional accommodation is needed. There is another family bathroom here, with separate shower and WC.

A large garage comfortably parks two cars, with ample room for surf boards, beach gear as well as a separate log store.

The Great Outdoors

The rear garden is sheltered from the changing elements from its position tucked behind the house. Laid to lawn, the garden backs onto a field. There is a raised terrace with space for a dining table or deck chairs looking out over its pretty surroundings. Steps lead down from the kitchen terrace to the lawn and a patio inlet perfect for a barbecue.

Out and About

Trewarmett is a small village in Tintagel, about a 30-minute walk away from the mile-long stretch of golden sand at Trebarwith Bay. There is a path that leads to the castle at Tintagel, known for its ruins and its breathtaking bridge spanning a 58-metre drop reconnecting two sides of the medieval ruin.

The house is within walking distance of the Port William and Mill House Inn pubs. The landscape hotel Kudhva is a 10-minute drive inland and offers beautifully curated, architect-designed off-grid cabins, as well as various yoga and wellness retreats throughout the year.

A flurry of exciting new restaurant openings has turned this part of Cornwall into a gastronomic hotspot. Coombeshead Farm leads the way with sustainable produce, The Hidden Hut is unbeatable for seafood, and Nathan Outlaw was recently named the best restaurant in the entire country. Nearby there are numerous eateries too, including The Port William , The Rocket Store, Temple, Pilchards, Mexi Kernow.

The sought-after town of Padstow can be reached in around 40 minutes by car. It offers an excellent selection of fresh seafood restaurants, cafés and bars, including Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No6 and Prawn on the Lawn. The Pig Hotel at Harlyn Bay is also nearby, and Coombeshead Farm has an excellent menu defined by its nose-to-tail approach to eating.

The geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in the late nineties, are around a 50-minute drive inland. St Ives is reachable within an hour and twenty minutes, and is a great choice for fresh seafood, from beach shack to white tablecloth. Here, the delights of Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden can also be found.

Communications to Cornwall have vastly improved over recent years, with the A30 dual carriageway just north of Truro giving fast access to the M5 motorway at Exeter. Newquay’s train station connects to Plymouth, with direct trains to London from here in just over three hours. Cornwall Airport (Newquay) also provides regular shuttle flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and many other seasonal European destinations.

Council Tax Bracket: D

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. Inigo has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.

History

The nearby Tintagel Castle is steeped in myth and history. Its most famous landmark, Tintagel Castle, dates back to the 12th century when it was built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, brother to King Henry III. However, archaeological evidence suggests that the site was inhabited much earlier. During the late Roman period and into the early medieval era, Tintagel was a significant trading post, dealing with goods from as far away as the Mediterranean. This suggests that Tintagel held considerable importance long before the construction of the castle.

The association of Tintagel with the legendary King Arthur has significantly shaped its historical narrative. The 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth popularised the idea that Tintagel was Arthur’s birthplace in his work Historia Regum Britanniae. This connection has persisted through centuries, drawing countless visitors intrigued by the Arthurian legends. Despite the lack of concrete historical evidence linking Arthur to Tintagel, the legend has embedded itself into the cultural fabric of the site, making it a focal point for Arthurian enthusiasts and scholars alike.

In more recent history, Tintagel has continued to captivate the public’s imagination. The 19th and 20th centuries saw a resurgence in interest, partly fueled by the Romantic movement and renewed fascination with medieval history and legends. The castle ruins, set against the dramatic Cornish coastline, became a popular tourist destination. Archaeological excavations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries have uncovered further evidence of the site’s extensive history, including remnants of high-status buildings from the Dark Ages, reaffirming Tintagel’s long-standing significance. Today, Tintagel remains a symbol of Britain’s mythic past where historical intrigue meets legendary allure.