Little Trembraze was built in 1840 as a mill workers’ cottage, and has been recently renovated. With its log burner and air source heating, it's wonderfully warm and cosy in the autumn and winter months. In the summer, it's been described as a tropical paradise, due to the profusion of colourful wild flowers, gunnera and banana trees(!) in the private garden. Perfect for walkers and wildlife watchers, it offers a get-away-from-it-all experience. It has its own entrance and parking area, and no other properties in sight. Just one mile from the sea and SW Coast Path, and 0.5 miles from the traditional Cornish village of St Keverne.
Wildlife
This rural idyll is a haven for wildlife – you're likely to see fox, badger, stoat, rabbit, pheasant and deer from the cottage. You'll also see and hear many different species of birds, including song thrush, woodpecker, tawny and barn owls. From the beaches and coast path, look out for seals, basking sharks and dolphins. (Bring binoculars!)
Walking
This part of the Lizard peninsula is criss-crossed with public footpaths and bridleways that go on for miles, and it's easy to plan circular routes. There are many places close by where you can join the SW Coast Path.
Local beauty spots
The stunning Helford River, and Frenchman's Creek, full of yachts, sailing boats, Cornish fishers and cove boats, is just a few miles from Little Trembraze. Bordering this are many beautiful walks through National Trust land, including the historic Tremayne Quay. A few miles in the other direction you'll find the tiny valley of Poltesco, with the remains of the ancient serpentine stone works in the cove. Lizard Point, the UK's most southerly point and home to the rare Cornish chough (red-legged bird), is another few miles on.
Year-round appeal
Little Trembraze is a wonderful place to stay at any time of the year. There is a wood chip area with a log seat on one side of the cottage, next to the wildflower garden. Plus a slate terrace in front of the cottage, with a huge piece of granite which we found inside(!) the cottage during renovation, now used as a seat. There's also a wooden table and chairs in this area. This enables you to catch the sun at different times of the day.
For when the weather is not so great, we've made inside the cottage as cosy as possible. There's a really comfy Parker Knoll sofa, a log burner (we'll give you enough wood for your first fire, but you have to purchase thereafter), and air source heating upstairs and down. The latter is supremely efficient in terms of heat production and eco-friendliness.
The local village
St Keverne is small, but has two pubs, a paper shop, post office and general store, a butcher's and a small but fantastic restaurant, The Greenhouse – booking essential!
Fat Apples cafe, in nearby Porthallow and close to the beach, is a delightful wholefood cafe with vegan options, and outside seating.
Gear Farm, in St Martin, 4 miles away, sells lots of lush local produce including game in season.
The nearest town is Helston, 10 miles away. Falmouth is 18 miles away. There is a bus service.
Please be aware
The bedroom can be set up with a kingsize bed, or two singles.
We do not have wi fi or internet at Little Trembraze. There is scanty mobile reception if you are prepared to wander around a bit!
Low beams in the bedroom and bathroom, and a narrow staircase, may be a problem for larger persons, or with physical disabilities. Please contact owners to discuss.
There is no bath, only shower.
No smoking.
Sorry, no pets – we have dogs and horses.
We do not take children.
Check-in time is 3pm, check-out time 10am.
Interested in herbal medicine?
Your host, Deanne Greenwood, is a Medical Herbalist (see below). She offers a 1-hour introduction to herbal medicine, at £50 (price is the same for one or two people); and personal one-to-one consultations (please contact Deanne to discuss this).
