Serpentine
Portwrinkle, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, UK
Designed to follow the natural curve of the cliff on the western cusp of Whistand Bay, this luxury self-catering beach house in Portwrinkle promises to bring a sense of freedom and escapism to all who stay. Modern masterpiece Serpentine not only reflects the location and serenity of the ocean below, but also encapsulates a reflection of the owners and their time enjoyed at this soothing south Cornwall home.
Introduction
The sleepy fishing village of Portwrinkle and its vast expanse of open ocean are what combine to provide the serenest of backdrops for this self-catering beach house in south Cornwall. Both innovative and visually striking, a wildflower grass roof and sleek glass exterior help this modern home merge into the landscape, with minimalist interiors of glossy whites and warm greys ensuring the focus is all on the coastal views. Seriously cool yet down to earth, Serpentine is the perfect homestay for those lusting after luxury and tranquillity, Cornish-style.
Inside
Whether you are waking up to blue skies on glassy seas or relaxing on the sumptuous L-shaped sofas for dramatic evenings of storm-watching by the fire, every moment of the day at Serpentine will be one to treasure. A simple elegance runs through the design, where exposed brick offsets the sleekness of the clean surfaces. All about the coastal vistas and making the most of its unique wraparound design, Serpentine’s contemporary eco-friendly form encompasses four glass-fronted en suite bedrooms to ensure no one misses out on a sea view.
Outside
Take full advantage of the half an acre of coastal gardens, taking in the mesmeric sights and sounds throughout the day. The nook at the bottom of the garden is the best spot for a surreptitious glass of bubbly at sunset, whilst children will prefer playing games in the sun and cooling off under the parasols with jugs of homemade lemonade. To stretch your legs, steps lead from the house straight onto the footpath where you will reach the quirkily named Finnygook Beach and sandy crescent of Hoodny Cove below. Just remember your swimsuits!
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 8 guests
From £3,650 per week, £2,695 per short break
Day hire options are available - Alternative group optionUp to 4 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsAll the bedrooms are located up a short flight of steps from the lounge and kitchen area. On this level is the double bedroom master suite with king-size bed and wet room with bath and walk-in rainfall shower behind a partial-height wall, a zip-and-link bedroom (which can be set up as a king-size double or a twin) with en suite shower room, and two further double bedrooms each with a king-size bed and en suite shower room. There is also a separate shower room with walk-in shower and WC.
View bedrooms - FeaturesHot tub
- PetsOne well-behaved dog is welcome
Pets are charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyYes, children are very welcome. One cot and one highchair are available. Please note there is a slight drop at the edge of the coastal garden so children should be supervised.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for four cars. The contemporary kitchen is perfectly outfitted for luxury self-catering breaks, with a large electric oven, gas hob and fridge freezer. A fire and underfloor heating keeps things toasty whatever the season.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper, Smart TVs, Sonos multi-room sound system, iPad, WiFi internet (plus landline), charcoal barbecue, board games, children´s games, luxury linen and towels, logs and kindling to get you started...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-friendlyNatural grass roof, borehole for water
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsView floor plan
Prices & Availability
Whitsand Bay
A sparkling blue bay stretching for miles down on south Cornwall´s soft coast, Whitsand is the perfect spot for long beach walks, sea swims, barbecues and true relaxation.
Getting there
- On the Map This unique luxury beach house is situated in the coastal village of Portwrinkle on the edge of Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall.
- By Air Newquay Airport is an hour away whilst Exeter Airport is approximately 90 minutes away by car.
- By Car From London, take the M4 toward Bath, take M5 South and A30 to Cornwall and follow the directions provided to the property.
- By Train The nearest train station is Bodmin, 30 minutes drive away, or Plymouth which is around 35 minutes away.
From the owner
“There is something very special about staying here that makes it difficult to leave. Quite simply, Serpentine makes us happy.”
Having spent 15 years visiting Cornwall as holiday makers, we had vowed if the opportunity ever arose that we would build a home that lived up to the striking landscape. In the winter of 2014, driving through Cornwall, we stumbled onto a plot of land in the village of Portwrinkle and jumped at the chance to create a unique home.
We wanted to build a home that blended beautifully into the surroundings without dominating the village. When we set out, we tried hard to respect the environment, whilst designing an interior that was minimal and contemporary to allow the views captured by the large picture windows to do all of the talking. We used the latest technology to make living here simple.
No matter how many times we visit, we immediately switch off when we arrive; the panoramic views outside making it the perfect place to relax. With the sea in such close proximity, listening to the waves crash is often the first thing we hear when we wake up and the last thing we hear at night.
The Lyndon Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Whitsand Bay with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Looe Sailing Club
What would a seaside holiday be without a little dash of sailing? Not far away, Looe Sailing Club is a welcoming environment where membership is open to anyone wishing to join the club either as a sailing member or social member.
To Do
Surfing
For the adventures and sports enthusiasts staying at Serpentine, taking to the surf is a must. Whether you’re an experienced surfer, surfing for the first time or trying a variation like paddling boarding, hours of fun will be had.
To Do
Portwrinkle Beaches
There are two beaches immediately accessible from Portwrinkle; to the west of the harbour is Hoodny Cove and to the east is Finnygook Beach. There is actually a reasonable patch of sand within Portwrinkle´s harbour too.
To Eat
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel
Look out to Restormel Castle with a glass of Camel Valley sparkling wine, or warm up by the fire while your hearty lunch is prepared by Duchy chefs. Make the most of this award-winning café, and browse the garden centre.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
We´ve had a great time here with our Golden Retriever, Remus, doing lots of walks from the cliffs to the beach. Swimming in the sea which is a 30-second walk away is fantastic! We love the house and garden, especially reading in the evening with the view and setting sun. The sound of the sea will be missed.
We´ve had a lovely week in this fantastic house - glorious weather, great location and fantastic views! We enjoyed visiting Looe and Polperro, but the weather has been so nice that we spent most of the time on the beach! Thank you for a wonderful holiday!
We have had a fabulous week in this beautiful home. We are going to miss the sight and sounds of the sea so much! Our two year old granddaughter has fallen in love with the beach and the seagulls! We have been very lucky with the weather, but with one wet day, the view was still simply amazing!
We all had a wonderful week here. The house is indeed special, the views stunning, the beach a joy for adults and children alike, and the walks are quite exhilarating. We really loved our stay and hope to come back!
We have had a wonderful holiday at this very special home. We came here to celebrate both a 40th and a 72nd birthday and we have had a very special week with amazing weather. The beach has been so much fun for the children and we have spent many hours just pottering in this beautiful house and garden and hunting for shells on the beach. What a happy week!
We are a family of seven who stayed at Serpentine for a late Christmas celebration. We had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying this beautiful home. We´d love to come back in the summer, five days wasn´t long enough! Thank you for a brilliant stay.
Such a wonderful house and location! We all had a wonderful long weekend, enjoyed by young and old and perfect for our large dog! We will certainly be recommending to those we know as well as coming back ourselves in the near future.
Wow, what an amazing house and wonderful place to stay. Serpentine worked perfectly for us, treasured memories have been made. Such a comfortable home and all the facilities were great. We loved being able to wander along the beach, our dog Lily was in her element. Thank you for making the perfect place to stay so that we would create some perfect memories.
We have had the most amazing week in Serpentine. What a stunning house and location, rain or shine! The huge communal area makes it such a fantastic place for family holidays. We would recommend the coastal walk to Downderry and beyond to Seaton, some of the best views we´ve seen for a long time. Thank you for such a great week.
Such a beautiful location and home. The beach was enjoyed by all, swimming and rock pooling was fantastic. The not so sunny weather made us use every space in the home and it was perfect for relaxing and socialising. Thanks for making our holiday special and sharing your home with us!
What an amazing week we have had to celebrate an 80th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary! The weather has been good, so lots of time spent on the beach with the children playing in the rock pools. The accommodation has been amazing, we have felt thoroughly spoiled in this amazing location!
Stunning location, beautiful house! Our first time in this unspoiled corner of Cornwall was much enjoyed. It was the perfect place to celebrate a 77th birthday!
A spectacular location with stunning views. We were extremely excited to arrive at this property to celebrate Easter; the beach is literally a stone´s throw away, revealing some remarkable geology, rock pools and plenty of areas to have fun with the children. A great time was had by young and old alike, we would love to return in the future.
We were so excited to come here and the house has gone beyond our expectations! It is so beautiful and we have loved staying here. The vista, the beautiful spaces in the home and the sheer beauty before our eyes has uplifted us all. This place is very special. We chose to come here with all our family and our dog to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary and it could not have been better! We can´t wait to come back, we can´t bear to leave! It is heaven! Thank you for the chance to enjoy your home, this is a happy place.
Thank you for letting us share this special home. We stayed here for a short break for my husband´s 40th birthday and it has certainly left him with some amazing memories to look back on! This place is absolutely fantastic and the views are stunning, we would never tire of the views! We really don´t want to leave. Thanks again!
What an amazing place to spend Christmas! We loved the fact that we could all be together downstairs yet in our own space if we wanted. The views from every window are amazing and we had some great walks from the house and enjoyed meals at various restaurants. Thank you for sharing your home - we would love to come back in summer!
We love the coastline along Whitsand Bay and we were so excited to stay in this unique house, it really did exceed our expectations and our little ones loved being so close to the beach – perfect!!
What a fantastic place! The house itself is stunning but that view - we have definitely found a slice of Cornish heaven. Thank you so much, we can´t wait to return already!
We had the most amazing time here on holiday with the whole family. The location is incredible, we just can´t fault it. We´re all sad to leave and cannot believe we won´t be waking up to this view anymore. We´ll certainly be back next year!
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Serpentine and 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.
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The Best Holiday Houses for Families in Britain in 2018
The Times
March 201825 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 2024
Collections > Luxury Homes with a Private Chef > UK > Cornwall > Whitsand Bay > Serpentine
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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.
