Little Portion
Tresean, Holywell Bay, Cornwall, UK
With crooked cob walls, a red tin roof and forget-me-not blue windows, Little Portion is an idyllic Cornwall retreat, located just a mile from the sandy beaches of Holywell Bay and Polly Joke. A fusion of reclaimed finishes, an abundance of plants and an alfresco hot tub combine to make this luxury coastal cottage a year-round destination.
Introduction
Collated and collected both inside and out, this Arcadian hideaway in Cornwall is filled with warm terracotta tones, rustic wooden floors, and moss green accents. The original cottage - chock full of characterful charm and cosy coastal appeal - leads into the light-filled garden room living space, affording a real home-of-two-halves. A spacious and luxurious abode perfect for two, Little Portion is the perfect luxury coastal cottage for those seeking a modern take on the traditional. If it's a relaxing and rejuvenating stay near Holywell Bay you crave, you'll be assured of a luxury getting-away-from-it all break.
Inside
With a modern rustic theme running throughout, reclaimed flooring and vintage-style tiles sit alongside sumptuous velvet accents and high-back Chesterfield sofas in this potting shed inspired Cornish abode. There's no disguising the passion for plants that the owner possesses, with vintage gardening books sitting alongside a lovingly-tended collection of house plants. A space designed for an indulgent retreat, from the kingsize bedroom that nestles in the rafters of the original cottage, to the double shower and deep double-ended bath, lazy mornings and languid days are much-encouraged at this characterful hideaway.
Outside
Green-fingered guests will spend many an hour ensconced in the verdant cottage garden, where bright, brimming borders and vintage gardenalia combine. Lull summer days away on the rocker under the shade of the pergola, or sit around the outdoor fire on cooler Cornwall eves. With a bohemian and beatnik flavour, Little Portion’s sunny and sheltered garden - complete with a gurgling hot tub - is a tranquil place to idle away an afternoon. Just a short walk from this luxury coastal cottage, you'll find the dog-friendly surf beaches of Holywell Bay and Polly Joke.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £1,250 per week, £950 per short break
Day hire options are available - Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom with king-size bed is on the first floor, while the ground floor has a wet room with his-and-hers double shower and a large free-standing bath.
View bedrooms - HousekeepingAdditional housekeeping on prior request
- FeaturesHot tub
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is private parking for one car in the bay outside the cottage. The kitchen has a cooker, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, and a washer-dryer in the utility room.
- Homestay includesHammam towels for the hot tub, Smart TV, Sonos speaker, Netflix, iPad, WiFi internet (please note mobile reception can be patchy due to the location), charcoal barbecue, board games, local produce, linen, towels, logs and kindling for the fire...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenalin-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book.
- Eco-friendlyElectric car charging point available
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Holywell Bay
A mile of golden beach, a handful of rock pools and a backdrop of dunes: this dog-friendly Cornish bay is an idyllic place to head off on foot to.
Getting there
- On the Map Situated in the hamlet of Tresean near the north coast of Cornwall, close to the towns of Cubert and Crantock.
- By Car From London, take the M4, the M5, then the A30 into Cornwall and follow the directions provided to the property.
- By Train Nearest train station is Newquay (15 minute drive), although services are infrequent. More frequent services would be Bodmin Parkway train station (approximately 45 minute drive) or Truro (20 minute drive).
- By Air Newquay airport is approximately 20 minute drive away.
From the owner
“The sweetest of cob cottages, Little Portion exudes character and charm in abundance.”
When we first visited Little Portion, the crooked cob walls, low ceilings and red tin roof afforded the cottage a real personality.
Just a one-up, one-down house at that time, to transform the house into a liveable space took a fair amount of head scratching. Re-thinking the original cottage - which had a staircase so narrow it required the slimmest to breathe in as they navigated - without losing the character was integral to the re-design.
It was essential to create additional space for guests, and the glass-fronted 'potting shed' overlooking the garden doesn't detract from Little Portion's allure.
Nestled in the secluded hamlet of Tresean, yet within close reach of Holywell Bay and Crantock beach, while the setting of Little Portion is hideaway, being able to head out on foot and be on the Holywell Bay held real appeal for us.
There are a wealth of lovely restaurants within close reach of Little Portion, but more often than not we'll find ourselves cooking at the cottage before an evening spent fireside.
The Stanleys
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Holywell Bay with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
Nancarrow Farm Feasts, Zelah
Nancarrow Farm hosts fantastic feast nights once a month. With tailor made evenings such as ´Tuscan Peasant Feast´, and ´Valley of the Stag Feast´, these culinary evenings set in a magical wilderness location are sure to delight. Book early to avoid disappointment.
To Do
Holywell Bay School of Surf
For those of you who are inspired to take to the waves, head to the surf hut at Holywell where lessons for any ability take place twice a day during summer months.
To Do
Camel Trail
This level and accessible cycle path runs between Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow, and is perfect for those seeking a more leisurely scenic bike ride. You´ve a plethora of culinary treats to choose from when you arrive in Padstow.
To Do
Cornish Wine Tours
Cornish Wine Tours offer trips to visit the best vineyards in Cornwall. From Camel Valley to Trivibban Mill, and from Knightour Winery to Bosue Vinyard, tours run Tuesdays to Saturdays and include both full and half day options.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
Unique homestays is our favourite - provides romantic and different breaks for us, which is especially important to us. It really feels like home from home wherever we stay. Thank you
We had a lovely stay at Little Portion. Everything was so thoughtfully put together in the cottage, we could completely unwind and take a break from it all. The hot tub was great and we enjoyed having a drink in the garden with the lovely birds and sounds of nature. Thank you for everything.
What a delightful little hideaway. Little Portion is an excellent spot to settle in for an evening and allow the tension to melt away. If you have just arrived and are looking for inspiration, don´t delay getting down to Holywell Bay as it is truly beautiful. A walk down to Polly Joke is also well worth it. We loved our stay here despite the predictably, unpredictable British Weather! Thanks for a lovely home from home.
We wanted a secluded, discrete but stylish cottage that we could hide away in for our Minimoon - Little Portion ticked all the boxes with modern amenities but the style and quirk of a hidden garden shed/cottage. It was so up our street!
Little Portion was the most perfect respite following some very challenging health issues. It is a true gem with eclectic and sumptuous furnishings, a fabulous kitchen, and dining space. With the doors open you can really enjoy the outside space from within. Days spent walking the dog on the glorious beaches, cosy evenings in front of the wood burner, and glasses of bubbles in the hot tub or lazing in the decadent deep bath. It was a little portion of heaven.
Little Portion is the perfect escape from the everyday, and with all the little luxuries and amenities provided it truly felt like a home-away-from-home. The comfy bed, proximity to the beautiful bay and getting into a hot tub after a day of exploring was definitely the cherry on top! We had a great week and will definitely book with Unique Homestays again.
What a wonderful house Little Portion is. We particularly loved the attention to detail throughout. We got here in the end, third time lucky after having to move our stay due to the pandemic! The house is in a fabulous location and we enjoyed brilliant weather - thank you for arranging this! We will certainly be recommending the house and your team to our friends and family, and we hope to return again in the future.
Thank you for the most wonderful week away. The cottage is an absolute dream. We felt at home right away and in complete, luxurious comfort. Our dog, Bailey, gobbled the dog biscuits right away as he snuggled on the dog bed. We love the beautiful garden and the hot tub is fantastic. We are sad to be leaving and would love to return.
We have had the most amazing week here at Little Portion. Every detail has been thought of and we thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub and outdoor area. It´s great proximity to the local beaches and a lovely place to return to in the evenings. By far, the best place we have ever stayed.
We have had such a relaxing stay here at Little Portion, what a treasure! It was lovely exploring the area and nearby beaches, the weather even kept it together! A perfect weekend away, thank you.
By far the nicest place we´ve visited anywhere in the world. In all seriousness, the styling and comfort is second to none. Not a thing missing or wrong. Truly amazing, and we cannot wait to return. Thank you.
We have had an absolutely amazing time at Little Portion, we really have! Such an incredible place to spend the New Year and see in 2020. We love everything about it and its wonderful little quirks. It´s just so beautiful. Also, this was the place we became engaged which makes it even more special. The log fires, the decor, the amazing comfy snuggly bed, the hot tub, that shower; all fantastic!
This has simply been one of the most relaxing places to stay. Little Portion is beautiful! It has everything you could ever want from a lovely cottage and we do not want to go! It has been an amazing weekend, we will definitely be back.
What an absolutely stunning property! Long walks on the beach, cups of tea by the fire and candlelit dinners in the gorgeous kitchen. This place is an absolute dream. You have created a very special space at Little Portion. Thank you for sharing it with others.
All aspects of this property are amazing! The beach being less than a mile away is fantastic and the local shop is super handy for the ‘just in case’ moments! I love Unique Homestays properties as they always exceed my expectations and have the wow factor come summer or winter.
We have had an unforgettable time in this beautiful cottage and we wish all future guests have the same! Thank you!
We have had a fantastic stay in this amazing cottage. We have enjoyed every moment, as has our baby pug! Very relaxing, we would love to return to Little Portion again.
Many thanks for our stay at Little Portion, we will certainly book with Unique Homestays again. We had great days out in Cornwall and the house made the holiday perfect. We think the house is magical! There´s always something interesting to find, and you are always discovering something new in this little cottage. Thank you!
Little Portion was divine! A cleverly thought out property in a good location with every amenity you would ever need. It was a gorgeous little place. From start to finish we had a great experience and will definitely be booking again!
We couldn´t recommend this property enough. It was comfortable, clean, designed beautifully and has everything you´ll ever need. We loved everything about it. The fact that it was so close to lovely beaches was a bonus!
Little Portion was such a treat and was a perfect match for us. It was our first time in Cornwall and we completely fell in love with the area. After visiting Hollywell Bay, I would wake up in the morning with a smile on my face just looking forward to going to the beach again. Our dogs loved it there as well. Returning after a day out was relaxing and refreshing with the perfect amount of privacy. Compared to other cottages we have stayed in, this one was the most romantic, inspiring and relaxing, and has brought myself and my partner closer together.
Thank you, Little Portion, for giving us a relaxing and peaceful break. We really enjoyed spending time together by the fire in the evening after a nice dip in the hot tub. We would come back here again and again.
The property was absolutely stunning and in a very quaint location which allowed us to escape for a couple of days. The house was finished to the highest standards and was very Grand Designs-esque with its rustic finish and superb modern facilities e.g. bathroom and the hot tub. The perfect place and home away from home to settle for a few days by the open fire and relax. Our stay was perfect so thank you!
We had an amazing stay. We simply loved Little Portion. The cottage was so well equipped; it had everything we could have needed with lots of luxury touches throughout. The facilities and location worked out perfectly for us, our new baby and our dog. It was such a treat to have the hot tub too. We will definitely be returning, in fact we´re already looking at dates for next summer!
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
25 of the best autumn getaways
The Times
November 2024Good manors
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2024Ways to improve your life—from our experts
The Times
October 2024The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024At one with nature
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024Healing waters
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202425 of the UK´s best lakeside stays
The Times
September 2024Highland fling
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024
Collections > Luxury Homes with a Private Chef > UK > Cornwall > Holywell Bay > Little Portion
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
