Gypsea Rocks
Trebarwith Strand, Cornwall, UK
A luxury seaside cottage designed with beachcombers in mind, you’ll find this old Cornish toll house just 500 metres from Trebarwith Strand. Think of this as your summer base camp; a place to snuggle under the eiderdown and sip cocoa after days spent rummaging around beach caves and unpicking the legends of King Arthur at Tintagel. Between the cliffs in a hidden valley in North Cornwall, Gypsea Rocks is full of vintage finds and rustic flourishes.
Introduction
It might not be your homecoming... but it sure will feel like one. Originally built as a toll house for the quarrying of slate and sand from the beach at the end of the lane, Gypsea Rocks stood untouched for 50 years before its tender transformation into the luxury coastal cottage of today. With the golden sands of Trebarwith Strand as your playground, seaside stays have never been so appealing; promising frolics amongst the waves, drawing patterns in the sand, and running back to the cottage through the summer rain to dry off by the fire. Come here to fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and rise to the sun.
Inside
From a bird's-eye view, it's hard to imagine anything other than quintessential fishing village interiors. But Gypsea Rocks is a melting pot of quiet luxury: clapperboard, bunk beds, spinning globes, school chairs, model sail boats, candle sticks, wicker baskets, timeworn benches, and butterfly displays bear resemblance to some backstreet antique store. It's a place made for homebodies who relish the idea of reading cross-legged on the sofa or sketching in a notebook at the old oak table, while offering outdoorsy folk with a penchant for old-world charm the opportunity to live like sailors for a week or two.
Outside
Those dreamy sea views framed by the cottage windows are just a leap away from the front door. This beach is treasured by local families and surfers, but recent years have seen the quaint Cornish village become cemented on the lists of movie location scouts and A-listers. Its unspoilt, hidden-gem appeal is what makes it an icon on the seaside scene. Head out on foot in any direction, or spend all day sipping elderflower wine in the tranquil cottage garden. With twinkling fairy lights and glimpses of the roaring ocean from the deck, it's the perfect spot for barbecue feasts under a fading flamingo-pink sky.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 4 guests
From £1,395 per week, £1,095 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom with king-size bed, one double bedroom, and one bunk room on the first floor. One shower room and separate WC on the ground floor and one bathroom with bath and handheld attachment on the first floor. The cottage accommodates a maximum of four guests, however the third bedroom can be used for an additional £150.
View bedrooms - 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.
- PracticalitiesThere is private parking for two cars, with more on the lane if needed. The kitchen has a range cooker, fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. Please note that due to the coastal location of Gypsea Rocks, mobile phone signal is very limited.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper with local produce, bodyboards, Dualit coffee machine, TV, Sonos speaker, iPad, WiFI internet, Weber charcoal barbecue, linen, 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.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Trebarwith Strand
Towards the top of the rugged north Cornwall coastline, between the pretty fishing villages of Boscastle and Port Isaac, this characterful Cornish village is strolling distance to the sea, where the town´s crowning glory is its amazing clifftop castle. Think kings, queens, swords, sea and cream teas.
Getting there
- On the Map This coastal cottage is set in Trebarwith Strand, just a few miles from the village of Tintagel in North Cornwall.
- 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 to the property is Bodmin Parkway, 40 minutes away.
- By Air The closest airport is Newquay, 40 minutes away. Exeter airport is an hour away. Both have taxis and car hire available, where booking in advance is advised.
From the owner
“My favourite times at Gypsea Rocks include being first on the beach in the early mornings, sundowners on the deck looking out to Gull Rock with the evening sun on my face, watching the sunset over the sea and playing board games round the kitchen table.”
Gypsea Rocks was thought to be built in 1825 in the form of a vernacular house, and had a later Victorian extension added that doubled it in size. It was originally built as a toll house to collect money from the traders who quarried sand and slate from the beach and cliffs.
The last occupiers lived in the cottage for three generations and it was from one of the last surviving family members who had grown up here that we bought it from. When we bought Gypsea Rocks, the cottage was very run down; completely overgrown on the outside and very dark and dilapidated on the inside.
It took us two years to fully renovate the property from top to bottom. It took a lot of hard work, patience and love, but we are really pleased with the results and hope you are too. There’s only one thing we absolutely demand of all our guests: to have a really good time!
The Marshall Morris Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Trebarwith Strand with an insider’s perspective.
To See
Mythical Tintagel
Supposedly the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, Tintagel’s crowning glory is its stunning cliff top castle. Clinging to the black granite cliffs, this crumbling Cornish castle is full of myth, magic, legend and intrigue.
To Do
Catch a Wave
Whatever the weather and whatever your ability, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to surfing in North Cornwall. There are many surf spots within close reach of Tintagel including Trebarwith Strand, Bude and Polzeath.
To Do
Cornish Wine Tours
Cornish Wine Tours offer trips to visit the best of the Cornish vineyards. From Camel Valley, Trivibban Mill, Knightor Winery and Bosue Vinyard, tours run Tuesday to Saturday with both full and half day options including lunch.
To Eat
Nathan Outlaw´s, Port Isaac
Restaurant Nathan Outlaw serves amazing food, with the menu consisting of small, original and delicious seafood plates. Set in a very, very old traditional Cornish cottage on the Platt in the impossibly pretty Port Issac, it oozes atmosphere.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
We couldn’t have been happier with the property. The facilities were fantastic (Aga and woodburner were lovely touches), the generous hamper was delicious, and we felt very at home. The owner’s attention to detail made the experience very special.
We very much enjoyed our stay at Gypsea Rocks. The property was well equipped and easy to live in. It was great being so close to the sea - we walked down to the beach at least twice a day. Trebarwith Strand is a great location with a beautiful beach yet within a short driving distance of attractions like Tintagel Castle and Bodmin Moor. The property house book was very helpful.
Gypsea Rocks has been a delightful find, snuggled away at the amazing Trebarwith Strand, North Cornwall´s best-kept secret. We found it to be both warm and homely, in a prime location for spectacular scenery, coastal walks, it´s own coved beach and two great local pubs. Beyond Trebarwith Strand are some wonderful places to visit Padstow, Bude, Port Issac, Rock, Tintagel, Polzeath and many more. We loved our stay and so too did our Cockapoo Lola. We will definitely be back.
For the past 5 years we have stayed at many beautiful hotels in Cornwall but this year, for a change, we decided to rent a home. Gypsea Rocks has been the most perfect, magical find and we´ve had such a lovely time. Your home is simply beautiful and you have thought of everything! We´ve been to all the eating recommendations and were not disappointed. Also, the coastal walks in this area have been amazing. Thank you for sharing your home!
We´ve had the most amazing week at Gypsea Rocks. We´ve adventured to many, many places but it´s hard to see past Trebarwith Strand and this beautiful property. The beach is beautiful and the cafe fabulous for a tasty lunch! Thank you!
This is our first holiday with our new daughter and we couldn´t have asked for a better place. Beautiful cliff walks with the baby in the sling, right from the door step! We loved Tintagel Castle and the Eden Project. Yummy crab sandwiches and cakes at the Strand Cafe and delicious Sunday lunch at The Mill. Cosy evenings in front of the fire watching films, playing games and drinking the local wine (Trevibban Mill - a must!). Thank you!
This is the most beautiful home and so perfectly located for so many things! Came for a much needed break and digital detox and couldn´t have been happier. Was blessed with a mixture of glorious sunshine and stormy rain so had the best of both worlds by the fire and the beach. I am plotting my return with more people to share it with, but it will remain in my heart as a very special place indeed. Thank you!
Thank you for a wonderful stay. Our first Christmas away from home was a fabulous one. Lovely cosy cottage, especially with the fire going! Access to the beach was great and it was such a treat being so close to the sea! Our two children had a fabulous time as well - the trampoline was a hit! Thank you!
This is our second stay at Trebarwith Strand and we loved the cottage even more the second time around. It´s so cosy, relaxing and a real home from home. We love the fact it´s dog friendly; our Cockapoo loved playing in the garden! We went to Watergate Bay, Padstow, Polzeath, Rock and Trebarwith Strand beach and we also walked the cliffs to Tintagel. The ´Beast from the East´ arrived and although it was bitterly cold, the cottage stayed warm and toasty the whole time. Another magical stay!
Thank you so much. We´ve had a lovely time! We really appreciated the hamper and found this cottage to be so cosy, comfortable and very tastefully decorated. We did lots of cliff walking and ate delicious fishy food, what more could you want from a Cornish seaside break!
We have had a wonderful week staying here at this cottage. Such beautiful decor, brilliant location and everything that we could have needed - including egg cups which the kids were very excited about! Than you for such a lovely stay, and for providing a perfect welcome hamper!
Thank you so much for an idyllic stay at Gypsea Rocks! The cottage is beautifully furnished, extremely comfortable, and perfectly situated for exploring Northern Cornwall. We have walked to Tintagel Castle and enjoyed many wonderful beaches; Trebarwith Sands, Daymer, Bude and Widemouth. We also took trips to Mousehole, St Ives and Padstow - it really is a great spot for exploring! The weather has been great too which has topped off our stay. We´d dearly love to return one day!
This dear little cottage just oozes ´hygge´! Warm, comfortable and cosy! It is a joy to spend time here! Absolutely loved the beach and the walks from the cottage; the location is stunning. To enjoy breakfast with an open fire and those views has been perfect!
We couldn´t have wished for a better and more beautiful place for our little family reunion and to celebrate our parents golden wedding anniversary. We ate well, slept well, admired the home and loved the interiors. We swam in the sea (cold but great!) and had wonderful chats around the fire. Thank you so much for sharing!
We arrived under the curtain of darkness and were rewarded with a view of the sea when we threw back the curtains in the morning! What a treat to be able to see the sea whilst enjoying a cup of tea in bed. This home is terrific and provided everything we needed - including boogie board for our daughters! The weather was stunning, and we leave with fantastic memories. We hope to return one day!
Your cottage is more than beautiful, it is a landing place for memories and family. We have enjoyed our stay so much and especially liked all the details, beautiful. Now we are back in Germany and remember a wonderful stay!
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here at Gypsea Rocks. The weather has been glorious and allowed us to enjoy some of the walks along the magnificent coastline.We have enjoyed eating lots of delicious cream teas,ice creams and fish and chips looking out to sea. Your charming house has been such a super find, and it has been delightful staying here. Thank you.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Gypsea Rocks 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.
complete an image bank request
Cornish to the Core
Country Living
December 201925 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 > Working Remotely > UK > Cornwall > Trebarwith Strand > Gypsea Rocks
Related Collections
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.
