On a blustery Friday afternoon, we began our fleeting journey to the other side of Cornwall to the magical Esperance, our dreamy clifftop escape for the weekend. Winding our way through verdant countryside, it wasn’t long before we discovered the enchanting cliffs of Whitsand Bay and were greeted by the most mesmerising ocean views.
Bags in tow, following the winding path and the salty sea breeze, we finally came across our wood-clad hideaway. Stepping inside, we were stunned by the beautiful, neutral toned interiors inspired by the coastline of Australia. Admiring the divine kitchen space with bespoke cabinets, we found a lovely welcome hamper filled with local treats and prosecco to enjoy throughout the weekend.
We set about exploring our dog-friendly retreat, uncovering the beautiful master bedroom, complete with French doors and a charming rolltop bathtub for two – we couldn’t wait to enjoy the ocean scenes from the king-sized bed, which was adorned with a gorgeous, curved cane headboard and soft throws.
Bewitched by our romantic bolthole, we cosied up on the sofa with sugar-sprinkled shortbread and a pot of tea to watch the wild waves below us, before experiencing our first dip in the cedar hot tub, set to a perfectly toasty temperature. We ended our first dreamlike evening under the stars, before falling into a sweet slumber accompanied by the soothing sounds of the tempestuous tides below.
We awoke early to the sound of birdsong, heading out to the sun-soaked deck with a coffee to beam at the views a little more. After preparing some fresh croissants and cereal for breakfast, we clambered back in our luxurious linens and curled up with our books.
After tearing ourselves away from our heavenly hideout, we planned to catch the ferry from Cremyll to Royal William Yard. Opting for the scenic route, we drove blissfully along the coastline, which was scattered with rainbows after a brief shower.
Arriving at our destination, we wandered around the historic yard admiring the grand Grade 1 listed buildings before stopping off for steaming bowls of Pho at our favourite Vietnamese restaurant. Full after our delicious meal, we adventured into Plymouth to dig for vinyl treasures at Really Good Records, striking Motown gold before making our way back to Esperance.
On returning to our cosy cliffside retreat, we prepared a divine antipasto board complete with our favourite cheese and cured meats. We savoured a romantic meal with rich glasses of red, revelling in the glow of golden hour. With floor-to-ceiling glass doors, every corner of Esperance’s living space was filled with magic.
We immersed ourselves in the balmy waters of the hot tub once again, before unwinding with candles, champagne-filled coupes, and a bubble-topped soak in the gorgeous rolltop bathtub.
The next morning beckoned for a slow beach stroll, so we decided to follow the sounds of the shore and wander down Tregonhawke Cliff for a latte at Eddystone Café. We ambled along the silky sands before venturing to The Canteen at Maker Heights for a Sunday roast.
Settled on the Rame Peninsula surrounded by stunning green countryside, this rustic eatery had an exquisite menu crafted with local produce. The rest of our afternoon was spent uncovering the sleepy twinned villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, where the bustling, narrow streets were brimming with pastel-coloured cottages. Post-dinner dessert was a treat from The Stores, a sweet coffee shop close to the water’s edge.
Arriving back at our getaway, we lit the wood burning stove and settled in front of the crackling fire wrapped in blankets with cocktails and our favourite card game. As the daylight began to disappear, we flicked on the Smart TV, choosing a favourite early 2000’s romantic-comedy film to snuggle up with, savouring those final, bittersweet moments in oceanside paradise.
Our last morning was spent on the deck, admiring the views for the final time. We said our farewell, promising to return to this spellbinding corner of the world for another weekend of heaven.
For those daydreaming of escaping the everyday, Esperance is the perfect romantic hideout to flee with your darling. Perfectly secluded yet promising uninterrupted vistas of glistening blue waters, you’ll never want to leave this luxurious oceanside sanctuary.
Feeling inspired? Uncover the magic of Esperance here.
