Kear Cottage
41515.3 miles E of Port Isaac / Sleeps 6 + cot*
7 Nights from £544
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Old Inn St Breward (1 ½ miles)
A proper Cornish welcome awaits you at Cornwall's highest pub. Full of character with log fires and beamed ceilings. This dog friendly pub serves traditional pub food and a great all day carvery on Sundays'.
July 2021
Mixed feelings
We made a booking at the Old Inn and thought we were going to a nice country pub, but we were shown to a very large, very loud, no atmosphere dining room. The portions were huge and we had no complaints about the food. But we were sat next to a table of couples totalling least 10 when the maximum number due to COVID was 6. A birthday cake was brought out and the whole table sang a very loud and enthusiastic version of Happy Birthday, which was not allowed indoors. We were a little apprehensive and although we would have like to stay for dessert we left as soon as we had eaten our main meal. The staff seemed friendly enough but we would not return for to the atmosphere and the noise.
Nearest beach
Minehousedoor Cove (4 miles)
Aptly named because of the mine located directly above it, this beach is mainly sand and rocks. It forms part of the Tregardock beach area with Trerubies Cove at the southerly end. With limited parking this beach is rarely crowded and offers a wide sandy area at low tide. Whilst not recommended for swimming, there are some great rock pools and dogs are allowed year round. Do watch out for the tide!
July 2021
Great walk but not for the faint hearted
We had a van and be waned the parking is very limited , but well worth it.
You follow the path down to the cove, but be aware that the last part is over boulders marked in yellow arrows, at one stage we could not work out where to go but locally a surf boarder showed us the way.
The beach is lovely at low tide but you must be aware of when high tide is, so worth a visit even if the walk back up makes you puff.
Nearest walk
St Breward on Bodmin Moor (1 ½ miles)
Home to the highest church in Cornwall, St Breward is a village and parish on Bodmin Moor. Explore nearby and visit St Breward’s holy well, the famous Tors on the moor and the stone circles on King Arthur's Downs.
October 2020
P Boorman
very welcoming good wholesome food
May 2011
St Breward circular walk and The Old Inn
Wonderful walk of just under 3 miles. Passes over moorland, through woodland and alongside a stream. Lovely far reaching views. We ended up at The Old Inn for a well earned pint! Good dog friendly pub that serves food.
Nearest town
Camelford (3 ¼ miles)
Camelford is an ancient Cornish market town through which the Camel river runs on its way to the coast at Padstow. The town itself has a good selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants, but it is perhaps Camelford’s surroundings that are the real draw here. Walkers are in heaven when they venture just outside Camelford to explore the moorland and climb two of Cornwall’s highest points, the tors of Brown Willy and Rough Tor; an extinct volcano. For the less energetic, a stroll along the river banks through Enfield Park is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
July 2021
Lovely Fish and Chips
Fish and chips from here was lovely
Also nearby
St Kew Inn (3 ¾ miles)
This 15th Century village pub was once home to the masons and craftsmen who constructed the nearby church of St James the Great. Today, you will find a welcoming bar and restaurant, with blazing fire in the winter, and a large beer garden for those balmy Cornish summer evenings. Look out for the resident ghost.
May 2022
Excellent pub
The food was very good and the staff friendly and efficient. It is in the middle of the country so you need a car to get there. You need to book to be sure to get a place.
October 2021
Fantastic Dinner
We went to the St Kew for dinner, and what a dinner! Lovely atmospheric rabbit warren of a building, warm and smokey (check the menu!). Food and drink were both excellent, and the staff friendly and helpful
June 2021
Sue
Due to COVID, we booked the St Kew Inn well in advance of our stay at the Carriage House.
The pub is within walking distance from the Carriage house, down hill all the way, but consequently up hill all the way back!
The food was delicious, service extremely good, and a bonus for us was meeting our waitress, Faye, who happily gave us some suggestions as to what to do whilst visiting Cornwall. The first was to cycle the Camel trail from Wadebridge to Padstow. It was a truly stunning way to visit Padstow. And on our second visit to the pub Faye suggested we could visit Charlestown. Again, we are so grateful for that advice. We wouldn’t have experienced either had it not been for Faye.
The ‘fish of the day’ was well worth it too!
We felt very safe, and all the measures to ensure that guests met the government guidance were in place. Thank you to all at the St Kew Inn.
May 2021
Hidden Gem
We had two meals at St Kew Inn whilst on holiday in Cornwall and thoroughly enjoyed both meals. The service was attentive but not intrusive, the food was absolutely delicious and there is a good choice to choose from. Good beers and good prices too, if we go back to Cornwall we will definitely be booking a meal at St Kew Inn.
October 2020
St Kew Inn
Excellent food and friendly service to our party of six. Would recommend fish meal of the day.
October 2020
P Boorman
excellent food very friendly staff
January 2020
Very good food
Lovely food. Service was a little slow at lunchtime but they were aware of this, apologised and tried to resolve.
August 2019
So good we visited twice
Superb food, varied menu, good service. We were a group with 4 vegans and 2 carnivores and we all thought this Inn was top notch.
July 2019
A must visit
Fantastic pub, great menu for veggies, beautiful garden and loads of space
May 2019
Excellent Food
The St Kew Inn does excellent food. It is not cheap but very good value for money. My wife said that the hake she had one evening was the best fish she had tasted for many years - cooked to perfection. You need to book early to get a table in the restaurant, but can also take pot luck in the bar where the tables are not reserved. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
May 2017
Best pub in the arae
Excellent pub food. Best in the area. Good real ale and great pub food consistent performance and very popular so need to book in season.
September 2012
idyllic country pub
A warm welcome and helpful staff. The food was great - the haddock kedgeree was worth the trip alone.
June 2009
Great country pub
Great atmosphere and food. Nice seating inside and outdoor summer barbeque.
February 2009
Beautiful and Atmospheric
Picturesque 15th Century village pub serving beer from wooden barrels and excellent homecooked food prepared to order by hosts Paul Ripley and Sarah Allen. One of the most beautiful and atmospheric pubs in Cornwall.
- Mr and Mrs Whitten
Trebarwith Strand Beach (5 miles)
Made up of half a mile of soft, golden sand backed by rock and cliff, Trebarwith Strand is a National Trust-owned beach near Tintagel. Easily accessible, at low tide a huge expanse of sand is revealed whilst at high tide the sea covers nearly all the beach. Lifeguarded in summer, Trebarwith Strand is a popular spot amongst people of all ages.
June 2022
Great dog friendly beach
Fabulous sandy beach with life guards that is also dog friendly all year. Good facilities - toilets, pub and shop selling icecream and beach stuff - make it the complete package but mind the tide times!
October 2021
Ms Harrison
Something for everyone.
October 2021
Ms Harrison
Something for everyone.
July 2021
rock pools galore
nice beach with life guards. Loved going there at high tide to watch the sea crashing against the rocks. Great place to go to watch the sun set. Tasty Cornish pasties from the beach cafe
May 2015
Trebarwith Strand
We walked along the cliff tops to discover this beautiful stretch of dog friendly beach. It is accessed by a rocky plateau but once on the beach there is a long stretch of golden sand with plenty of room for all to play. Lots of body boarding & surfing to be had with places to hire equipment. It's a lovely unspoilt area with a couple of cafes, tourist shops & a pub. Definitely worth a visit.
September 2014
Fantastic beach
We were recommended Trebarwith Strand as one of the nicest beaches along this stretch of coastline. It was beautiful. We visited at lowtide, so lots of sandy beach available. The entry onto the beach is past a few cafes (we had an amazing cream tea in one of them = yum) and over a rocky area, before you reach the sand. The rocks themselves are fascinating. The beach is a good size, with rock pools and caves and plenty for all to explore. Some of the roads approaching Trebarwith are steep and narrow - as is often in this part of Cornwall.
February 2014
Hidden Gem!
Found the beach by accident whilst staying at Port Isaac and visiting Tintagel.
Beautiful sandy beach,reached by clambering over rocks . Really nice Cafe serving burgers and chips etc. Wish we had time to return another day!
The Melia Family
January 2013
An absolute classic!
Trebarwith Strand lies at the end of a narrow lane that descends through a wooded valley to this beachside hamlet. A vast beach at Spring low tides, its only downside is at high tide it is reduced to a modest rocky plateau. Armed with a tide table, however, there is no excuse for at least 6 hours a day on this deeply charismatic beach. Surrounded by an impressive cliff-scape this beach offers caves, huge sand flats, streams and rock pools big enough for the kids to safely swim in. Great surf as well including surf hire and lessons.When the tide does gently nudge the family up onto the rocky plateau, lovely in its own right, there is always the Port William pub overlooking the beach or a variety of cafes and a couple of quirky gift shops to keep everyone entertained. This is also a great place to access the coastal path heading North East to Penhallic point and Tintagel castle or South West to Tregardock beach and Port Isaac. It can get busy in the high season but never on the Polzeath scale and out of season it is usually very peaceful.
Lanhydrock House and Gardens (9 ½ miles)
Explore the magnificent Lanhydrock House. Steeped in history and encompassed by flowing grounds, the castle allows visitors a sneak peek into the lives of both the aristocracy and the servants who lived there. Bikes can be hired to explore the ancient woodlands and peaceful riverside paths, too.
June 2022
Mrs French
Fantastic place to spend a day
May 2022
Beautiful gardens
The guides in the house were very friendly and knowledgeable. The gardens in spring are beautiful with bluebells everywhere and the spring bushes in full bloom.
June 2021
Beautiful and interesting
Well worth a visit. The National Trust as usual have brought this lovely house and gardens to life making it an interesting place to visit
September 2020
Very interesting visit
Excellent for walks and bike trails .
Close to Bodmin but unless you like the steam railway nothing there.
September 2019
Great place, nice house
Top!!!!!
May 2019
A good day out
Lanhydrock House and Gardens are well worth a visit. The house is interesting and well presented and the gardens were a mass of colour when we visited. There are also plenty of woodland walks for those who like to be energetic
April 2016
So good we went twice :-)
We're NT members so usually visit nearby sites when on holiday. Highlight of this property was the amazing mountain bike trails. We'd brought bikes with us, but did hire mountain bikes for some. Friendly and helpful staff and well marked trails made it the highlight of my 7yo's holiday! We also enjoyed gardens (including Easter egg trail) and house
September 2015
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the historic Lanhydrock House. First we used the cycle paths which the children (aged 5 and 8) really enjoyed. We then visited the house and gardens and were taken back in time. The children loved following the trails and it kept them entertained. The staff were extremely helpful. A great place to visit.
November 2014
Well worth a visit
Lanhydrock has something for everyone. The house is really interesting and the friendly guides are knowledgeable about its history. Although I didn't visit the formal gardens on this occasion, I did join an organised estate walk, which was led by rangers who were most informative and, again, very friendly. We had lunch in the restaurant, which was tasty and fairly priced. We would certainly recommend a visit.
March 2013
Lanhydrock House and Estate is between Bodmin and Lostwithiel The National Trust House provides a wonderful insight into local history and you can also walk the estate, free of charge, by parking in the car park down by the river, close to Respryn. River side footpaths take you through wooded areas which are covered with wild flowers.
After a good walk you can drive towards Lostwithiel, on the back lanes, to the Duchy Nursery for lunch. Not only is it a pleasure to wander among the plants and trees but the shop and restaurant are designed to add ambience to the whole experience. 5 star
April 2012
The house and grounds are beautiful, quite a sight as you walk down the drive from the car park. The grounds themselves offer lots of different walks, but the one that goes down to the river then back through the woods is my favourite.
October 2008
Lanhydrock
Magnificent late Victorian country house with expensive servants' quarters, gardens and wooded estate near Bodmin.
Visiting this house entails a drive, but it will provide you with a full day out. The house itself is fascinating, mostly because it has been wonderfully Victorianised in every detail - the kitchens, dairy and pantries are extensive - and the history of house, as well as that of the last generation of Robartes to live at Lanhydrock, gradually unfolds as you move around the house (with, of course, the help of National Trust volunteers). There are various options for lunch (picnic, cafe, restaurants) and the grounds are a joy to wander around afterwards. There are quizzes for children and the option of driving right up to the gate if a member of your party can't manage the walk down the drive.
- J Wallwork
July 2008
Popular Lanhydrock
Well worth a visit for the grounds as well as the house. The kitchens are a real eye opener with all the old utensils. Walk down through the grounds to the River Fowey and the beautiful old Respryn Bridge. If you prefer you can drive down and park beside the bridge. Lovely walks beside the river.
Port Isaac (5 miles)
When you think of a Cornish seaside destination, images of Port Isaac will come to mind. A quintessential Cornish fishing village, it is a popular holiday destination so there are plenty of self catering cottages in Port Isaac to choose from. With fisherman’s cottages forming narrow winding streets leading steeply down to the stone walled harbour, dotted with colourful vessels of all shapes and sizes. In fact many of the streets here are so traditional and narrow, including the aptly-named ‘Squeezebelly Alley’, a car is not an option so leave it behind while you take to exploring the architecture by foot. Many of the old buildings are listed as being of historical importance and certainly add to the ambience. The fishing industry is still at work here, left over from its days as a busy coastal port in the mid-19th Century. 
The inspiration for many a painting, there are plenty of photo opportunities to be had with the lobster cages and wooden rowing boats along the harbour wall. Set down on the seashore, the surrounding area is very hilly and steep, which allows for far reaching views, and several pretty streams wind their way down to the waterfront. Take a boat trip for a spot of sea fishing or just a scenic float-along during the holiday season or walk along the coastal path for panoramic sea views and dramatic cliffs.
The village of Port Isaac, is now most recognisable as Port Wenn, thanks to being chosen as the setting for the television series, Doc Martin. However, many other movies and tv programs have been filmed here such as ‘Saving Grace’ (again, starring Martin Clunes) and ‘Amy Foster’ with Sir Ian McKellen. It was also frequently used as a set for the Poldark series. The locals are very welcoming and are a tourist attraction in their own right with the formation of Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends - a group of Cornish shanty singers with a strong following.
A holiday in a Port Isaac cottage will be an excellent way to explore the north coast as there are many good beaches nearby such as the surfing beach of Polzeath and the family-friendly wide stretch of sand at Daymer Bay, which is also dog-friendly. It’s only a short drive to bigger towns such as Padstow, famed for its Rick Stein dominated restaurants, and Tintagel with the historic castle ruins. Being on the north coast, it is close to the Camel Trail which follows the River Camel to Padstow, an excellent cycling, walking or horse riding route.
October 2021
Would recommend!
Coastal walk to Portquin is very strenuous but excellent on a clear day!
Would recommend Nicky Bs pasty shop rather than others!
Obviously is a tourist trap so can get very busy and parking is a significant walk from the harbour.
August 2021
Boaty speedboat
Excellent trip along the coastline
September 2012
Just like it is on the telly!!
Port Isaac is truey lovely to visit whether you are aware of the Doc Martin show or not, but if you love the show a visit here is a must!
June 2009
Doc Martin Filming in Port Isaac
They are presently filming a new series of Doc Martin in Port Isaac so keep your eyes open for Martin Clunes and the rest of the cast and crew. And when you get home it's great fun to spot the scenes you saw being filmed!
St Kew Pottery (4 miles)
Feeling artistic? Try your hand at some pottery, still life or life drawing classes with potter Jon Whitten. Jon, whose work can be found in collections in Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the US, specialises in contemporary, wheel thrown pottery, a large collection of which is on display here, and is available to buy.
September 2017
If the weather is not so good!
I should have said whether the weather is good or bad an interesting couple of hours learning the art of pottery with your host Jon. Can even take your works of art (or otherwise!) back home with you. Thank you, Jon.
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