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Enhanting and charming Old Watch House
Picture a place where you are so close to the sea that you can almost feel the spray kiss your face. Where you can see seals sunbathing or swimming in their natural habitat. Where dolphins occasionally swing by. Where winter storm waves wash over the garden sea wall, and sailing boats float by, coming in to the picturesque harbour.
Picture staying at The Old Watch House at Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel) which is the site of your perfect holiday. Set in an enviable location, the house sits in “the loveliest village in England” according to poet, Dylan Thomas. It makes sense, therefore, that the owners of The Old Watch House have recently restored and refurbished their period property, set in dream surroundings, to extremely high standards.
With a long maritime history as a watch out for contraband activity, the house is perfectly positioned and designed to observe sea life and sailing boats for your daily dose of vitamin sea. The house dates from the early 1800s in what was the heart of smuggling country, with direct access to the beach, which would have been the chief watchman’s slipway. The watchman’s panoramic views translate into a beautiful location for modern-day visitors.
Inside, retaining its original charm, antique beds and furniture combine gracefully with contemporary pieces, accentuated by unusual and original accessories, to make this a really characterful ‘home from home’ with all you need for a superb stay.
The dining room houses a huge bleached wood table for sociable meals. Slate flagstones and an exposed Cornish Stone inglenook with bookshelves and nautical lighting make this a really cosy space. The bay-windowed lounge is warmly welcoming. Fabulous for storm watching, it is also perfect for family board games or TV viewing. If you want to see an evening sunset over the sea, the kitchen/snug is the place to be.
Bedrooms are decorated with antique beds and coastal styling combinations, while the bathrooms are equally special. Try the beautiful lava stone sink in ensuite one, or the tumbled marble in ensuite two. The family bathroom boasts a beautiful copper tin-lined bateau bath, a real show-stealer, for a deeply perfect soak.
With superb views from every window in this beautiful holiday home which is bathed in natural light, it is perfectly placed to enjoy the long summer days or the Christmas lights over the harbour in wintertime. Looking out to sea, you will see St Clement’s Isle, once the home of an ancient hermit, but now a seal colony. Bring your camera for some fabulous photos.
Outside this enchanting house is a beautifully planted, elevated, prize-winning garden, much-loved by children who will love burning off energy while spotting creatures and boats out to sea. Meanwhile, adults will enjoy the hundreds of flowers grown here, including winter colour created by charming camellias. The privately-gated driveway is a big bonus, as Mousehole is small enough to walk everywhere but parking is at a premium. With private access from the garden, you can reach the dog-friendly waterfront of this historic fishing village.
A small, sheltered, safe sandy beach is located at the harbour, along with a pebble beach with seawater swimming pool. The bustling village benefits from lovely bistros, galleries, independent shops and superb pubs and restaurants, including The Ship Inn, Dylan Thomas’s favourite watering hole.
Ground Floor
Dining Room
On entering the property and walking through the porch, the large dining room is furnished with a huge bleached wood dining table and chairs. The chunky slate flagstones and exposed Cornish Stone Inglenook enhance the coastal decor, along with a room-wide bespoke bookcase offering a variety of books to sit, read and relax. Refurbished American battleship lanterns reflecting the house’s nautical history light this social hub.
Lounge
Ancient elm flooring and an open fire make this a welcoming room. Deep sofas and viewing chairs in each huge bay window presents the opportunity to sit and watch the sea and harbour activity. There is also a Smart TV with Sky HD & Sports, DVD player, Bose wireless sound system, Xbox 360.
Kitchen & Snug
Hand painted kitchen, granite worktops and slate flagstones combined with a range cooker, induction hob, wine cooler, fridge freezer, microwave, Tassimo coffee machine and dishwasher, a room equipped for all your culinary needs.
Half of the room offers a snug area with the original floorboards, 2 sofas and large patio doors leading to a sunny patio area with cast iron table, chairs and BBQ.
Utility Room
A separate room with sink unit, washing machine and tumble dryer. An iron and ironing board are also provided for the convenience of guests.
Downstairs W.C.
A Coastal Style panelled room separate from the utility room.
Bedroom One with en-suite
Furnished with a King Size restored antique bed and wardrobe, coastal style furniture and luxury bespoke blackout curtains ensures a restful night’s sleep. A chair in the bay window, looking out to the gardens, sea and village beyond, makes this a tranquil room leading to a luxurious en-suite, tiled in natural stone with a lava stone sink.
First Floor
Bedroom 2 with En-Suite
A restored antique king size bed, mother of pearl and bleached wood furniture and painted distressed floors provide a light and airy retreat. The bespoke curtains are fully blackout lined, and a bench positioned in the huge bay window allows exceptional sea views. The en-suite bathroom is tiled in tumbled marble, with the sink hewed from a large slab of marble. A huge walk in shower provides wet room style showering. Above the sink is a mirror fitted with a Bluetooth speaker for you to connect to and sing along whilst showering!
Bedroom 3.
A comfy Twin room, with restored antique beds, that have the option to convert to super king, with zip and link mattresses. A painted distressed floor and bleached wood furniture complete the beach house atmosphere. Bespoke curtains with blackout lining and another huge bay window next to the sea offering post card views.
Bedroom 4.
A cosy room with direct sea views, with distressed painted floors; the twin antique beds have zip and link mattresses, which give the option for this room to be a twin or super king.
Family Bathroom
A large copper, tin lined bateau bath takes centre stage, a real soaker tub! A separate glass shower enclosure is an alternative for showering aficionados.
Exterior
The driveway accommodates 3 to 4 cars and a garage provides storage for beach equipment or bikes. The large gardens are exceptional, with an abundance of flowers and shrubs, offering privacy and safety for children and pets.
A natural slate patio wraps around the immediate exterior of the property, furnished with sofas, dining table and chairs to enjoy alfresco dining cooked on the charcoal BBQ, whilst enjoying panoramic sea and harbour views.
Outside shower for rinsing sandy children or muddy dogs.
Dog Policy
In the interests of hygiene and comfort we request that all guests kindly adhere to the following guidelines if bringing any dog to the property:
-Please do not allow the dogs in the bedroom or on any furniture. We would ask that the dogs sleep in the utility room.
-Please do not use the house towels provided to dry your dog
-Please do not allow your dog to foul on the garden. If this should occur please pick up after your dog immediately.
-If your dog has an accident on a carpeted area, you must contact the housekeepers immediately we will always need to get the carpet professionally cleaned and pass this charge on to you.
-Please do not allow your dog to come into the property covered in sand or water.
-Dogs may not be left unattended in the property or in a car on the drive.
Situated south of Penzance on the west coast of Cornwall is Mousehole. Mousehole’s history is that of a bustling fishing port up until about a hundred years ago. Today, Mousehole welcomes tourists to its quaint village streets that invite you to explore what is around the next corner. Your Cornish cottage will be the perfect place to discover Mousehole and its surrounding neighbours from.
If you enjoy eating out then you will want to sample the locally sourced food at 2 Fore Street, who pride themselves on using the freshest Cornish seafood. Or if you prefer to cook at home in your self-catering cottage then why not forage your own ingredients with Wild Walks Southwest, who will guide you to the very best in local wild foods.
For those who have found their sea legs why not hop on board with Cormorant Cruises to explore the coastline of Mousehole from another perspective? If the sea isn’t your thing, then your holiday cottage is the perfect place to get ready for a day at the beach and there are plenty to choose from. Mousehole Beach is sandy and within the harbour walls, or a short drive out can find out Newlyn Tolcarne Beach, Penzance Promenade Beach, Wherrytown Beach or Battery Rocks Beach.
Every Cornwall holiday calls for a spot of gift shopping and Mousehole’s small back streets offer plenty of galleries and shops. Check out Sandpiper Gallery, where you will be sure to find a print to remember your holidays with.
Your Mousehole holiday cottage is also a perfect point to plan a trip to the Scilly Isles from and when you are tired after a hard days fun, your self-catering cottage is the best place to come back to, to rest weary bones and relax.
If you are planning a winter getaway, then it is well worth considering visiting in December when the village puts on a wonderful display of Christmas lights. The harbour has floating light displays and opening night usually sees the local choir singing festive songs, a lantern parade and much more besides.
The Old Watch House is available weekly from a Friday.
Other arrival dates and short breaks are also available out of peak times.
Please view the current availability in the calendars below and then click the Submit An Enquiry button...
Booking enquires are made direct with the owner for this property.
Short breaks or alternative arrival dates may also be available. Please Submit an Enquiry below...
Dogs: Two small-medium or one large dog are welcome at £50 per week for the first dog and then £15 per week for the second. Dog stay rules apply
Damage deposit: A refundable damage deposit of £500 is payable. This will be held until the end of the occupancy and will be returned to the guest within 2 weeks of departure, subject to deductions for any damage to property caused during the occupancy.
Booking enquiries are made direct with the owner for this property.
Please use the enquiry button above to send your request
Short breaks are offered at The Old Watch House from a minimum of 3 days.
Sleeps 8
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 ensuite)
Awesome sea views
5* luxury interior
Fabulous gardens
A stone’s throw from the beach
Private setting and beautifully situated in historic Mousehole
Open fire Smart TV, DVD, Sky HD with Sky Sports
Natural slate patio with panoramic views
Private parking for 3-4 cars
South West Coast Path runs through the village
Pet-friendly
Welcome Cornish hamper
Wifi
We had such a fantastic stay at The Old Watch House. It was extremely well equipped and perfectly located. The garden is great for seal and boat spotting.
Perfect! Lovely house and gardens
What a wonderful house matched by the enchanting Mousehole. Loved the incredible views and enjoyed seeing the sunbathing seals