Is there a more elating feeling than flying out of the office door at 5:01pm with weekend plans to escape far, far away? Especially when that escape is nothing short of a coastal dream. Hidden deep within a quaint fishing village, the most perfect little stone cottage awaited our eager arrival…
With our luggage crammed into the boot, we ventured along the winding lanes of Newlyn in search of our humble weekend abode. Dreams of what the weekend may hold circled on a rose-tinted film reel in my mind, yet the reality was more heavenly than we envisioned. Parked up on a steep hill with the sea on our left - much accustomed to such sights in Cornwall – we knew this meant a perfectly rustic retreat was in store. Climbing cobbled steps, we followed a gravel path along to our hidden gem and arrived at a quaint garden gate. Tucked behind a sweet little front terrace, with mosaic paving stones and thoughtfully planted greenery, our idyllic cottage lay picture-perfect with its original stone walls and windows. The Old Workshop was everything we dreamed and more.
A turn of the key and we entered our Cornish bolthole; welcomed by a sweet, homely fragrance and the cosiest living room. Adorned with original beamed ceilings, charming trinkets and a little cushion-clad sofa just made for cuddling up together. Uncovering our generous hamper left by the loveliest hosts, we cooed over local treats from Cornish yarg cheese to fresh sourdough and of course, the joy-inducing bottle of bubbly. After an eager sneak peek around the uncharted corners of our little dwelling, with the strike of a match we lit our much-adored wood burner – a beloved sight in the depths of the gloomiest January - to relish the soft crackling of our fire with a tipple in hand, what a dream…
We had a dinner date at the local Italian, The Bridge Newlyn is a very wise choice for pizza lovers like ourselves. A large glass of red and an array of tapas later, we were eager for the much-anticipated main course. With their infamous duck pizza on the menu, I certainly was not disappointed with my selection. It was devoured amorously; such were the delectable flavours of this decadent dish – a foodie decision I highly recommend to those who follow. Finishing off this delight with an authentic affogato, bellies and hearts full, we ventured back towards our darling cottage for the evening.
With two beautiful bedrooms to choose from, we had a very tricky task ahead – however sea views won us over in the end, so we settled on the luxuriously chic master bedroom. What a choice it turned out to be! Not without a trial of the second bedroom with a spiced gin nightcap, naturally...
After the most heavenly night’s sleep you could imagine; if someone confessed the duvet was in fact a huge marshmallow, I might just have believed them. There’s no better feeling than awaking from a serene slumber, enveloped in crisp white sheets with the soft call of gulls on the horizon. It felt like home.
Dawn brought dreams of the day ahead, waking far earlier than my typical Saturday lie in – I arose eager to explore the cottage in soft morning light. Leaving my partner to snooze, I crept downstairs to welcome in the grey January skies. There’s a little magic in those gloomy mornings, cosied up in a feathery white robe to float my way around our snug bolthole. But first, coffee. Our chicly unique kitchen was home to the treasured Nespresso machine, liquid gold for the caffeine lovers and a little luxury to wake up gently.
Taking my sweet, blue china cup and saucer up to the snug study; I uncovered a heavenly hideout. With an espresso in hand and surrounded by books in this cosy corner, I gazed over misty sea views. The perfect way to spend your first few hours of the day, feeling as though you are the only person awake in the world…
After simple moments of solitude, sipping on delicious coffee and relishing the silence, it was time to venture out for breakfast. We stumbled across Duke Street Café, a sweet little nook with the cosiest corners making it the ideal escape from a drizzly Newlyn. Boasting a delicious brunch menu, we eagerly placed our orders and awaited a home-cooked breakfast of dreams – we were not disappointed.
After filling up on our hearty feast, we braved the now heavy rain to explore our seaside town a little further. We spent the next few hours in a hazy bliss of gallery hopping and nosing around the quirky, local stores. It turns out Newlyn is Tardis-like in terms of ‘things to do’, with an array of inviting doorways around each corner. From a florist to cheese shop, greengrocers to wine bar, there seemed no end to the curious yet noteworthy shops to discover.
We settled on visiting Newlyn’s independent cinema to hide from the next downpour; this plush film house is donned with velvet red seats and an air of vintage charm. How decadent!
Time to saunter back to our cosy cottage for a late afternoon tipple; with Newlyn just a stone’s throw from The Old Workshop, it’s perfectly situated for little ventures into the buzz of local activity. Huddling into the entrance of our rustic retreat, it’s remarkable how quickly it felt like home. Soft, sinkable sofas were a darling sight. Original wooden beams overhead and familiar trinkets adorning comfy corners. With a soft sigh of contentment, we left our shoes at the door...
Next on the must-do agenda; a decadent, bubble-topped soak in the lovely vintage roll-top bath. Stood elegantly over chic tiled flooring, chilled prosecco poured into delicate flutes and pillar candles lit – a dreamy dip awaited. Post soak, we spent a few heavenly hours curled up fireside, cosied up on the cushion-clad sofa in our soft white robes. By early evening the rain had subsided, we decided on venturing out to the local wine bar for a glass of something special...
Lovetts is a renowned Newlyn hot spot for locals and visitors alike, an intimate bijou wine bar offering natural wines from around the globe along with nibbles and meze charcuteries to complement your tipple. This trendy nook is a perfect hideaway donned with atmospheric lighting and trailing plants, creating intimate spots for date night drinks with your beau. The friendly staff are fountains of knowledge, suggesting with ease the dream wine to match your palette and preference. We whiled away a few hours over hearty glasses of velvety-smooth Spanish Malbec, artisan gins and a platter of delicious antipasti, just magical!
Ambling back towards our cosy cottage, Newlyn harbour sheltered an array of little sailing boats which bobbed softly on a moonlit ocean. Losing yourself in a daydream at the sea’s edge is medicine for the soul; there’s nowhere in the world we’d rather be. Back in our snug corner of Cornwall, we lit the wood burner and settled in for the evening. With our favourite bottle red and a homemade charcuterie board of savoury delights - unashamedly, mainly cheese – in front of the fire; we curled up with our feast and an 80’s film on the Smart TV. A perfectly romantic escape for two, tucked away in our own little haven.
Another serene night’s slumber in the king-size divan of dreams, I awoke well-rested and crept to let in the morning light through our quirky window. With lovely sea views overlooking Newlyn harbour, it was almost too easy to lose time gazing over dinky sailing boats nodding on the waters. After a glance at the weather, which was decidedly gloomy with a hint of mizzle, we decided on breakfast in bed. Tiptoeing around the cottage, clicking on lamps to add a little warmth to our January morning, I began brewing our coffee – a perfect place to start! My beau snuck out to the village to forage freshly baked patisseries for our lazy morning, and what a delicious selection he found. Is there any better way to begin a slow Sunday? It was just made for espresso and pastries…
With the rain finally subsiding and a glimmer of golden light on the horizon, we swiftly donned our woolly hats and ventured into the quaint fishing village of Mousehole. This idyllic little corner of Cornwall is just a short drive or pleasant walk from The Old Workshop, so there’s no excuse not to explore this hidden gem! We lost ourselves in the charm and character of the Cornish harbour, dotted with sweet stone cottages and little rowing boats; it’s a rustic dream to wander those tiny, winding streets and find yourself in another realm.
Roaming the rocky beach towards to rolling tide, the raw and wild beauty of the ocean was truly mesmerising. Dreamy winter days by the sea are somehow even more soul-stirring on a gloomy afternoon. After capturing the perfect polaroid snaps on the rocks, we escaped the January chill in Rock Pool Café. An oh-so-cute coastal hideaway on the edge of the ocean – including hypnotic views. This dog-friendly treasure has outside seating for warmer days and even a tiny cabin for a more intimate coffee sipping setting. We tucked ourselves away in the main lodge for a taste of their legendary luxury hot chocolate board – an indulgent treat for any hot chocolate lover (and perfectly aesthetic of course!). What a cosy way to spend the afternoon, exploring little gift shops and wandering stormy shores.
If you’re in search of an escape to blow away the cobwebs and provide some much-needed vitamin sea, The Old Workshop is made for you! This dwelling can sleep up to 4 guests and is dog-friendly too; so close to Newlyn’s historic fishing harbour and an array of eateries. A lovingly restored coastal cottage awaits; uncover The Old Workshop and make all of your getaway dreams a reality…
