On a warm May afternoon, as a soft golden hour sun drenched the Cornish country lanes in honey-toned hues - it was time for an adventure. With restrictions eased and the magic of UK escapism finally an option, we packed our luggage for the first time in a long while and headed eagerly to the coast for an oceanside getaway.
Our golden-coated cockapoo, Cooper, settled into the backseat as we ventured along winding country lanes and passed quaint dwellings on our way to An Dyji, a romantic bolthole for two in the idyllic seaside village of Portmellon. Craning necks to capture a peek of the ocean at every turn in the road, finally we caught a glimmer of blue on the horizon; nothing short of coastal dreams reside at this little cottage on the hill…
We found An Dyji sitting pretty overlooking mesmeric tides, with uninterrupted views over the oh-so-dreamy Portmellon Cove. Unloading our luggage with ease beside the cottage, we slipped through a quaint gate to follow the shared terrace path to our sweet front door. Nothing says heaven quite like a bolthole by the sea, with just the hush of sweet ocean sighs welcoming us to this little piece of paradise.
A key turn in the lock of our stable door led us into the stunning bedroom space, laced in soothing interiors and coastal living charm. The epitome of rustic romance, with original features, exposed stone walls and pretty sash windows looking out to sea. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this cosy corner of the world from the moment you set foot inside, and we certainly fell head over heels. An en suite bathroom promised relaxing rainfall showers, with lovely touches from complimentary The White Company toiletries and gorgeous white robes, to underfloor heating for a little luxury barefoot wandering. The beautiful wooden staircase, an architectural dream, leads gently up to an open planning living area, where the cosiest space awaits for unwinding in quintessential cottage style. Petit yet perfectly formed, An Dyji’s living area is adorned in the softest shades of blue with white hues, more original beauty in the form of exposed stone and a decorative feature fireplace. Whilst the luxuriously modern kitchen may seem on the smaller side, it offers all the culinary tools and lovely tableware you could wish for to rustle up a romantic meal for two.
We arrived to the warmest welcome kindly left for us by the owners of An Dyji, including a beautiful bouquet of fresh blooms, a generous hamper filled with sweet local treats, a bottle of fizz, fresh bread, butter and all the local delicacies needed to relish a much-cherished cream tea. What a treat! Cooper settled into the comfy doggy bed kindly included by our hosts, along with a towel for sandy paws and his very own bowl. These special touches reflect how thoughtfully each detail of An Dyji has been curated by its loving owners, creating a truly cosy space for escaping the everyday.
After swiftly unpacking our belongings, we took a moment on the terrace to soak up those sea views. There’s nothing quite like a dose of vitamin sea to soothe the soul; overlooking the pretty cove and sun-kissed tide, our little cottage by the sea just felt like home.
We decided to make the most of the sunshine with an afternoon wander to Mevagissey, an idyllic fishing village just a short walk from An Dyji. The walk itself took around 10 – 15 minutes, with stunning views over the harbour as we strolled down cobbled streets past quaint cottages and beautiful, independent stores. The bustle of life in the village was thoroughly refreshing after such strange times, with the thrill of adventure creating a unique atmosphere all through the charming streets. Taking a moment to forget the world, settling down to gaze over bobbing sailboats and indulge in a little sightseeing, the perfect way to unwind from the hectic pace of daily life. Life is a little slower in this corner of the world, and that’s just how we like it…
Following a delicious dinner date at The Sharksfin, a beautiful eatery on the waterfront promising delectable local dishes and perfectly dog-friendly dining, we ambled back to our cosy cottage on the hill. As dusky pink hues painted the horizon, we settled down on our wooden table and chairs overlooking endless ocean vistas and relished evening sun on the terrace. Adorning the table in candles, cocktail-filled coupe glasses and a selection of tapas-style treats, we watched the world go by from our heavenly homestay. An escape just made for the daydreamers and sunset lovers; as dusk turned to evening, we sipped champagne and truly lost time in the magic of An Dyji.
Nightfall brought a serene kind of silence, slipping softly into the crisp, white sheets of our cloud-like divan, we fell into a deep slumber alongside the soothing echo of the rolling tides.
On waking, morning greeted us with only soft ocean sighs. Gentle tiptoes on wooden stairs and brewing that first morning coffee led to browsing the Sonos music library. We uncovered a playlist just perfect for slow cottage mornings, aptly named ‘rainy afternoons in a coffee shop somewhere’, it made a dreamy accompaniment to our warm, buttery croissants and sleepy sea views. As the softness of morning light filled each cottage corner, we indulged in a moment of quietude in our secret sanctuary.
A playlist for the dreamers | The coastal cottage edit
Amsterdam – Gregory Alan Isakov
Promise – Ben Howard
Coastline – Hollow Coves
Each Coming Night – Iron & Wine
The Girl – City and Colour
Real Peach – Henry Jamison
Flume – Bon Iver
As storm clouds began to gather, by mid-morning the wilds of Cornish weather lashed against our rustic cottage windows with fiery force. If you’ve ever been caught in a coastal storm, you’ll know the comfort of watching over those gloomy skies from the warmth of your snug abode. After attempting to explore a little further, the relentless rainfall sent us retreating to An Dyji for shelter and so we had the perfect excuse to relish an afternoon spent in cosy cottage style. With a carafe of plummy red wine and cheeseboard of dreams, we made the most of An Dyji’s HD TV and relaxed into a slow Sunday film as afternoon slipped into evening…
Once the storm finally eased, only moonlight illuminated soft waves washing onto the cove’s shore and reality felt far, far away. Existing in a candlelit moment, overlooking the quiet swell of rolling tides, was a truly spellbinding experience for any ocean lover. It’s no secret that dreams reside at this heavenly bolthole by the sea, where rustic cottage corners and the charms of coastal living will capture your very soul. To leave An Dyji was to leave a little piece of heaven on earth, one which we plan to return, oh so soon.
Begin your own staycation story at An Dyji here and forget the world for a dreamy little while…
