Tangle Belle
St Martin, Helford, Cornwall, UK
Wander deep into the leafy woodlands of The Long Valley near Helford, in Cornwall’s remotest corner, and emerge through the trees to a magical clearing which wouldn’t look out of place in a children's book. Knotted botanicals, a babbling stream and an enchanting cottage you’ll want to keep all to yourself, Tangle Belle is the peaceful, luxury self-catering escape you’ve been longing for.
Introduction
Far from the rush and noise of inner city living, this luxury home nestled in the arms of nature is the perfect bubble. A short drive from the idyllic Helford River to the east and the rugged Lizard Peninsula to the south, this unique self-catering cottage is perfectly placed for both languid days by the burbling river and heart-thumping hikes along the South West Coast Path.
Inside
Throw open the double doors in the king-size bedroom and enjoy the sound of the woodland as dappled sunlight floods through. The bright twin bedroom flaunts wooden floorboards and wood-clad walls, and shares the Jack-and-Jill family bathroom with the king. In the evening, snuggle up on the sofa and warm toes in front of the woodburner - steaming pans of cocoa bubbling away on the stove.
Outside
The cottage’s private gardens offer beauty and serenity and, with a sunny decking and riverside seating, you’d be forgiven for not venturing beyond the borders of the grounds. If one must leave, there are footpaths from the back door to explore, wander the woodland walk alongside the creek, swim in the turquoise waters of paradisiacal Kynance Cove, visit Trebah's sub-tropical gardens and put-put along the quiet waters of the Helford River.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 4 guests
From £1,250 per week, £995 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom with king-size bed and one twin bedroom which each have access to the Jack-and-Jill family bathroom with overhead shower.
- 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
- FamilyChildren are very welcome, one cot and one highchair is available.
- PracticalitiesPlease note, there is a drop from the decking to the river and while there are railings and netting here, due care should always be taken around water and children supervised at all times. The bathroom has underfloor heating. There is an electric Aga, a dishwasher and washer-dryer. Please note, the owners are nearby should you need them during your stay. The approach to the property is what we lovingly refer to as an ‘unmade lane’ and may prove bumpy and difficult for low-slung cars.
- Homestay includes42" Smart TV with Netflix, Portable radio/Bluetooth speaker, radio, superfast WiFi internet, woodburner, gas barbecue, fire pit, board games, linen, towels, unlimited logs and enough kindling and firelighters 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.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Helford
Helford is a humble haven, where hidden creeks, harbour sunsets and grand houses charm and delight this magical corner of Cornwall. Wander through ancient oak forests, take a fishing trip out to sea or spend sun-filled days on Helford Passage beach; a harmonious, luxury self-catering holiday never looked so inviting.
Getting there
- On the Map The cottage is situated near Helston, within close proximity of Mullion Cove.
- 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 closest train station is Falmouth which is a 40 minute taxi ride from the house (please note there no taxi office so advanced booking is essential).
- By Air Th closest airport is Newquay, a one and a half hour drive away, with taxis and car hire available.
From the owner
“The welcoming open-plan interiors and high ceilings create a great sense of space at Tangle Belle; fall in love with the stylish rusticity of the cottage and make memories to last a lifetime.”
Tangle Belle is nestled at the end of Long Valley on the family-owned Trelowarren Estate. There has been a building on the site for many years but more recently it has served as the outhouse to Colenso House. It was also the bolthole that the estate workers would escape to on wet and windy afternoons for a secret game of cards – euchre of course!
When we moved to Colenso in 1988, the garden was completely overgrown with laurels but they have now been restored to the trimmed hedges typical of the estate. The stream is home to lots of baby trout and dragonflies in the summer and mallard and herons in the winter. There are roe deer, muntjacks otters and red squirrels on the estate, and red kites sometimes make an appearance along with buzzards, woodpeckers, dippers and kingfishers.
The Lizard Peninsula is home to fabulous beaches, traditional fishing villages, stunning coastal paths and the hauntingly beautiful Helford River. There really is something for all generations, from surf lessons to spa treatments, dolphin watching and clifftop theatre.
Jane & Anthony
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Helford with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Estate Exploration
Within this historic and beautiful family-owned estate, there is plenty to explore. Within a mile of the property you will find a Victorian folly, the highest point on the Lizard, an Iron Age Hill Fort, a river formed by the Ice Age, as well as beautiful 18th century gardens.
To See
The Cornish Coastline
Don´t forget your walking boots; the famous South West Coast Path is a rambler´s delight. Follow the paths and trails, making use of the pretty coves along the way for refreshing dips in turquoise seas.
To Do
The Poldark Trail
Discover the remains of ancient engine houses dotted on the north Cornwall coast path or, closer to home, follow in the footsteps of 18th century Cornish tin miners on an atmospheric tour of Poldark Mine in the Wendron Valley, now a World Heritage Site.
To Eat
Roskilly´s Farm
Wander the farm which famously produces one of Cornwall´s favourite ice creams. Watch the Jersey cows being milked, browse the pottery and gallery and amble around the ponds with a double cone in hand!
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
Thank you for such an amazing stay, what a lovely home hidden in the wilderness - A real sense of calm and peacefulness. We look forward to returning and hopefully we can stay longer next time.
What a fabulous few days we have had. This beautiful little cottage was an absolute haven and offered my husband, I, and our children the most wonderful opportunity to relax and reset together. The linens are so soft and luxurious, the AGA such a treat, and the location is so special. Surrounded by food gems, fresh fish from Dylan up the road, pizza and pastries from Flora, rambling swimming, and toasted marshmallows. All that we hoped for and more. We will certainly be back. Thank you.
This has been our fourth time visiting Cornwall and Tangle Belle is the best place we´ve stayed by far. What a wonderful, special place you´ve built here. We have had the most relaxing time and great start to our year. Thanks so much.
What a find! A beautifully presented, comfortable cottage in an incredible setting. We felt right at home instantly. The stream at the end of the garden is something special too. A perfect getaway for our solo Christmas break - super cosy and relaxing. An ideal location for exploring the surrounding coastline and villages, we even ventured to Sennen! The only downside is we now need an Aga in our lives! We´ll be back for sure.
We have had the most amazing week! It couldn´t have been more perfect! Thank you for creating such a peaceful, beautiful space to escape to. We will most certainly be back, we have loved every second!
We have had a magical week here at Tangle Belle. The kids loved playing in the stream and we loved the peace and tranquillity of the garden. A real oasis of calm even with a six and three-year-old! Kennack Sands is our top tip for a child-friendly lovely beach, only 15 minutes away.
It was very nice to stay here for a week, walking through the garden with our one year old, exploring the beaches, dipping into the ocean, and taking a look at the stream every morning. We loved BBQs in the garden, and had such a wonderful time. We wish we´d booked two weeks instead of one!
Thank you so much for the lovely stay. We really had a very nice time in the cottage. It was very well equipped and super cosy. We certainly hope to return one day, thanks a lot!
We arrived at dusk in the pouring rain! Greeted by the owner who showed us around, the fire was lit, the lamps were on and it was so perfect and cosy. Absolutely everything we could have possibly needed was there. It was spotless, the beds comfy and the towels fluffy. We had great fun cooking on the Aga, something we are not used to so we kept it simple! We felt like we were a million miles away from anywhere. With local pubs, shops and beaches, the location is great and we enjoyed walks straight from the cottage.
We absolutely loved Tangle Belle, it´s a real ´step out of time´ place. I´m recovering from cancer treatment and the world just went away for a week in this special place. The weather wasn´t great but it didn´t matter as we had such a wonderful retreat waiting for us. The eco-credentials had a real resonance for me and it´s rare to find such a wonderful combination of this and great design at the same time - I felt looked after in mind, body and soul and it was a wrench to leave.
Thank you for a wonderful week in this amazing cottage, it is so relaxing. True escapism! We loved the feeling of isolation. The garden is magical as is the stream and the fire pit! The children and the dog had a great time paddling and roasting marshmallows. There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches nearby with sandy areas and great for rock pooling. We had such a relaxing and idyllic week. We would love to return!
We´ve had a wonderful week at Tangle Belle. This was our first time visiting Cornwall and it certainly won´t be our last. The cottage very much lived up to our expectations and in fact, far exceeded them! So idyllic. We particularly enjoyed the stream with its beautiful deep water. Many beaches were explored and our dog had a great time running wild and free! Thank you for a lovely week.
Thank you for a delightful stay. We have very much enjoyed relaxing in the cosy surroundings of Tangle Belle and have absolutely loved the peace - punctuated only by the incredible birdsong. We shall look back on this week fondly and hope to return one day.
We had such a wonderful time relaxing in this lovely cosy cottage and exploring this magical area. Our little boy and dog have had enormous fun in the garden and splashing in the stream. We are expecting many requests to return in the future and hope we will do so one day!
We arrived to an incredibly cosy house and have loved exploring the area, as well as relaxing at the property. The children loved the stream and garden! The welcome hamper was such a treat and the beds are so comfortable. Thank you for the amazing scallops and monkfish as well as our stay. We can´t wait to come back next year.
What a lovely cottage in a beautiful location surrounded by amazing scenery. We had a lovely welcome upon arrival with lots of information given. We carried out lots of walks using the guide books - these were very helpful. We indulged in some amazing pub lunches. Great weather, great location, great food!
We were overwhelmed by this lovely cottage in such beautiful surroundings here in the valley. We have had a fabulous time in your cosy hideaway - so comfortable and peaceful. We loved the stove, the aga, the garden... all of it and the dog appreciated it all too! The welcome hamper was most generous and a very welcome sight on arrival.
The cottage is beautiful and very comfortable and cosy - we loved the hamper! We adored the garden and sitting next to the stream. The loveliest holiday let we have had. It was such a wonderful week, thank you.
What a lovely cottage. Tangle Belle is in a beautiful location, surrounded by amazing scenery. We had a lovely welcome on arrival, and lots of information was provided. We carried out plenty of walks using the guide books, very helpful! Some amazing pub lunches were had, The Shipwrights Arms and the Coach and Horses Inn on the way to Penzance were firm favourites. Great weather, great location, great food, great time. Thank you.
What a lovely week in this peaceful cottage. We recommend The Ship Inn for good food, it is great but do book ahead! We´ve had lots of lovely walks around the Lizard, and the Helford river. We´ll definitely be back to enjoy both the area and cottage again.
A completely perfect place to spend my 40th birthday and our 9th Wedding Anniversary! This really has been a special week in this magical place. We have seriously fallen in love with it. We will definitely be back!
Just what we needed! Peace, beautiful surroundings, stunning cottage, lovely touches everywhere. We found places and beaches that we have never seen before. We had a great meal at The Prince of Wales. We loved Cadgwith Cove and wished that we had stayed longer.
The best family holiday we have ever had staying in this magical cottage in this beautiful part of the world. Forget Disney World, Centreparcs etc- this is so much better, we will be back. The cottage is perfect, absolute quality in everything! Hosts couldnt be more lovely and Matu (the dog) loved the garden almost as much as our girls. Thank you so much see you again next year, if not sooner...
The cottage was absolutely gorgeous, and the owners Jane and Anthony were very helpful and always on hand when we needed them - we had a powercut and the stream we had to drive through rose tremendously whilst we were there, much to our childrens delight! The location was perfect, completely enclosed by woodland with lots of walks in the surrounding area
The cottage was absolutely perfect and the little personal touches by the owner made it feel like a home from home! The location in the woods with the stream babbling by was everything we hoped for! The aga and well equipped cottage meant that I was able to cook decent meals in the kitchen, bake cakes etc. This was great as I live for cooking and its not often you find a holiday cottage with a kitchen equipped for cooks!
The most peaceful and beautiful cottage in a magical location. The perfect place to unwind, cosy up with the woodburner and forget all our troubles. Torn between telling everyone about it and keeping it a secret so only we know about it! Truly unique!
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Tangle Belle 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 Ten Best Woodland Retreats
The Times
September 201125 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
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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.
