Dappled in the soft glow of the setting winter sun, we made our way to Stippy Stappy, a row of nine quaint Cornish cottages set in the heart of St Agnes. Named in Cornish dialect due to their steep incline, Stippy Stappy is a unique row dating back to the 18th century, which recently featured within the BBC documentary, Villages by the Sea. With distinctive arched lintels, pearly white windows and a front door in soft shades of lemon, we reached Seven Stippy Stappy, ready for our weekend adventure to begin.
As the sun set, we took a moment to enjoy the last of the evening light, soaking up views of swaying trees from a perfectly positioned bench in the front garden. As the stars began to stud the sky above, we headed to nearby Schooners above Trevaunance Cove, a relaxed beach bar owned by the Penryn based Verdant Brewing Company, for a delicious Neapolitan Sourdough Pizza. We savoured every bite with a fantastic view of waves lapping against the harbour wall below, a sight reserved for high tide in this beautifully sheltered cove.
A short stroll found us at the vibrant front of The Taphouse, a lively Hawaiian-inspired bar with a laid-back atmosphere. Pleasantly mild for the time of year, we enjoyed a cocktail outside before retreating to Seven Stippy Stappy, just moments up the road. We succumbed to the call of our bed, where a restful night’s sleep awaited us, enveloped in cloud-soft linens.
I arose to sound of birdsong, nature’s alarm clock. As I drew back the curtains, the resident robin of Stippy Stappy greeted me, perched atop the whitewashed gate to the retreat. With freshly brewed coffees and buttery pastries in hand, I returned to the calling comfort of the master bed, relishing every unhurried moment of my blissful morning, with the golden glow of winter sun shining through the pretty sash window.
After the loveliest of lie ins, we ambled through the wooded footpath towards the beach, stopping at Genki en-route for a takeaway coffee to fuel our walk. We continued our journey towards Trevaunance Cove, guided by the soothing sound of the ocean. Tide out, the vast beach was dotted with people enjoying their Saturday morning rituals by the coast, from sea swimmers dancing in the crystal blue waters, four legged friends bounding across the golden shore and surfers gliding through glassy waves towards the mouth of the sheltered cove. 
Soaking up the February sunshine, we strolled through the soulful village of St Agnes, which was surprisingly lively despite it being the sleepy season. Bustling with life, we ventured past the St Agnes Hotel, before stopping by Trunk Deli for delicious treats to enjoy at our cosy cottage later that evening.
The scent of savoury pastries guided us to St Agnes Bakery, a must-visit whilst in the village. We deliberated over which of the vast option of sausage rolls to choose from, opting for a mouth-watering pork, apple and cider sausage roll. It was clear to see why this bakery was named as one of the UK’s best bakeries by The Times.
As dusk set, we returned to our luxury retreat to enjoy Cornish cheese and local wine by romantic candlelight. Making the most of Seven Stippy Stappy’s perfect position within St Agnes, we ventured the short walk down the hill to The Peterville Inn for an evening tipple. We perched beside the roaring fire, soaking up the atmosphere of the cosy pub as music and laughter filled the air. 
Sunday morning rolled in, and we decided to wake early to make the most of the final day at our beautiful base for the weekend. Sounds of the stream guided us towards the coast, where we followed the path to Wheal Coates, a former Cornish tin mine nestled on the rugged cliffs near St Agnes. An iconic sight, we sat and gazed at the postcard-worthy views, a snapshot into the history of the north Cornish coastline, watching waves glide in unison towards the shore below. 
We returned to St Agnes for a well-earned Sunday lunch at our newfound favourite spot, The Peterville Inn. The scent of wood smoke from the crackling fire and sweet winter veg filled the air as we stepped inside. From the friendly staff to the flickering candles on top of the dining tables, we were greeted with the warmest of welcomes. We settled in for a feast of roast dinner, with a delicious side of cauliflower cheese, and both agreed it was one of the best Sunday roasts we’d ever tasted. 
We returned to our retreat to enjoy a glass of wine beside the fire, cosying up on the sumptuous sofa before enjoying a calming soak in the deep freestanding bath. Immersed in a cocoon of warming bubbles, the chorus of nature beyond the charming sash windows was oh-so-soothing. Feeling totally relaxed, we retreated to bed for our final night in coastal bliss.
After the most magical weekend, we packed our bags and bid farewell to Seven Stippy Stappy and beautiful St Agnes, with the fondest memories of our dreamy staycation by the coast.
Feeling inspired? Uncover a coastal staycation of dreams at Seven Stippy Stappy...
