Lured by the promise of a weekend of nothing but countryside calm, my fiancé and I ambled through sleepy, bluebell-embellished lanes and April showers in pursuit of our enchanting staycation destination, hidden on the rural fringes of Gweek in Cornwall.
Standing alone and proud beneath a canopy of ancient oak trees stood Bargos. Set in just under half an acre of private grounds and crafted from the ruins of an old barn, Bargos was architecturally magnificent, the stunning façade offering a beautiful symphony of glass and granite, surrounded by a sweeping landscaped garden. Resting hillside amidst untouched Cornish landscapes, the retreat offered complete seclusion, along with vast views of endless emerald countryside and even a glimpse of Gweek’s charming boatyard in the distance.
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Inside, the beauty continued, exceptionally interior designed at every turn, with polished, micro cement floors, a soothing neutral colour palette and fine antiques adorning every corner. Greeted by a perfect temperature from the underfloor heating and a sweeping, curved staircase, we set about exploring the retreat, unsure where to begin. We adored the versatility of the downstairs spaces, cleverly zoned for different daily activities, whilst offering the option of more intimate corners through a considered lighting plan and thoughtfully positioned furniture.
Standing in the main entrance, to our left was the inviting drawing room, with a curated gallery wall and a choice of luxurious sofas and armchairs, gathered around the reclaimed, contemporary steel wood burning stove. Up a short flight of stairs on our right was the aesthetic, oak-clad study space, a perfect nook to chronicle the weekend adventures, whilst waiting behind antique Mallorcan doors was the ground floor master bedroom, complete with a sumptuous en suite bathroom.
Exuding both Castilian elegance and romance, with vintage Spanish leather occasional chairs and decadent brass-framed paintings by 19th century Florentine artist Giulia Cheli Capella, the space was simply a dream. A perfect suite in every way, there was endless space for storing our things, along with a darling demi-lune dressing table which completed the feel of the room. Beyond was the effortlessly styled private bathroom, a luxurious setting for self-care moments, with gold accents, a stunning oval-shaped bathtub for two by Lusso and a walk-in shower and a double wash basin. Whilst our long weekend trip was just a romantic break for two, Bargos welcomes up to six guests in total, with two further light-filled bedrooms and a family bathroom waiting to be uncovered on the top floor – each with stunning views of the retreat’s heavenly rural surrounds.
Drifting back downstairs, we were excited to find our favourite room of all through a set of glazed doors – the kitchen and dining space. The piece de resistance for us, it was simply atmospheric, with a high ceiling and amazingly light-filled, despite the grey evening skies. The kitchen itself was a work of art, with bespoke wooden cabinetry designed by the owners, topped with poured concrete worktops and handmade brass handles. Above the stunning Everhot range cooker was a stylish zinc upstand, whilst to the right was an amazing brass sink, which no doubt would cast an ethereal glow any time the sun shone through the kitchen window. Opposite this workspace, were two towering pantry cupboards, an American-style fridge freezer with an ice dispenser nestled in between.
The dining space was equally considered, with a solid pine feasting table, complete with stylish pew and bench seating – perfect for staycation feasts of any occasion. Perched on top was a generous hamper gifted by the owner, brimming with local Cornish produce for us to savour over the weekend.
With no sign of the drizzle ceasing, we decided it was time to light the wood burner and cosy up beside it, accompanied by a fine selection Cornish cheese, sparkling wine, chutneys, and biscuits. Whiling away the hours with a dose of fireside conversation, it wasn’t long before we were closing the curtains in the bedroom of dreams and settling in for our first slumber.
Carefully considered window placement ensured we awoke to a soft, peachy sunrise, casting an enchanting glow on the Beth Ditto-designed front terrace and bucolic country scenes beyond. I wandered off to the kitchen to prep us a pot of fresh coffee to accompany breakfast in bed, where we lingered, admiring the distant rolling mist - for perhaps a little too long for people with a busy Saturday agenda exploring nearby gardens.
Inspired by Bargos’ impressive collection of antiques sourced from overseas, we made the short drive to Enys Gardens, a former country estate with a grand 19th century mansion and 30 acres of blooming, botanical gardens to explore. This weekend, the much-anticipated, bi-annual Antiques fair was being held and we were devoted to finding our own pieces to take home. Weaving our way past beautifully assembled displays of unique treasures, perusing but purchasing just a few, we decided to find the famed spring bluebell show and rare apple orchard, roaming the former Italianate-style gardens before jumping back in the car to pay a visit to National Trust managed Glendurgan Garden, set further South in Mawnan Smith.
An exotic garden made up of three valleys, we uncovered a delightful array of spring florals, from camellias, orchids and magnolias in vibrant shades of pink, to snowy daffodils and pretty primroses lining curved pathways. Our favourite part of the garden has always been finding our way through the ancient cherry laurel maze towards the thatched summerhouse. Stroll to the end of the garden and you will also find the picturesque Durgan hamlet and small beach, a magical spot for viewing the stunning Helford River.
Our final garden of the day was The Potager Garden in Constantine, a lovingly regenerated nursery, cared for by volunteers, who believe in the therapeutic magic of horticulture. We settled down in their Greenhouse Café and Kitchen, enjoying generous slices of carrot and walnut cake and pot of tea beneath a ceiling of pale purple wisteria. We relaxed for a little while, then heading back home via Constantine Stores to browse their ample collection of tipples.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent pottering around the wildflower blooms and picnicking on the verdant lawn with sets of binoculars. We’d not yet seen the boatyard, so we borrowed pairs of the wellington boots kindly left by the owners and left Bargos to its spellbinding surroundings. Wandering past unspoilt hedgerows, we reached the village, crossing the Grade II listed stone bridge and peering into the classic boatyard. Nestled within an area of natural beauty, Gweek has a rich maritime history, a prominent port at the head of the Helford, dating as far back as the Roman times.
Upon returning to our weekend escape, the daylight hours had begun to dwindle, so we decided it was a wonderful opportunity for our first moment in the electric sauna, so flicked it on and waited a short while. Savouring the country backdrop and our moment of wild wellness beneath the tangled trees, it wasn’t long until we were back in the heavenly embrace of the homestay retiring for the evening, lighting candles and drawing a bubble-topped bath.
Late on Sunday morning, we were winding our way through the scenic corners of the Helford Passage, en route for a spot of lunch at the Ferryboat Inn. We’d always wanted to visit the lively, 300-year-old pub, set on the waterfront in an unspoilt Cornish cove with direct access to the beach and beyond. It’s worth noting that there is limited outdoor seating, so you’d need to arrive early or book ahead to dine alfresco. With timeless coastal-inspired interiors, the restaurant promised both a nostalgic feel and a delicious and varied menu. We opted to share a selection of plates between us both, sampling the Cornish cod crudo, chicken schnitzel with dijonnaise and the mackerel tacos.
Wandering out of the pub past quaint rows of fisherman’s cottages, we walked towards the pretty shingle beach, shores scattered with seashells of the periwinkle and clam variety. We basked in the sun for a little while, taking in the salty ocean breeze and the endless magic of slow Cornish living moments.
Making the most of the golden, late-afternoon light and balmy temperature, we retreated outside with organic rose and coupes full to the brim with lemon sorbet, indulging in the serene country views and lively birdsong. This moment was one of my personal highlights, perched on the wooden loungers, dreamily gazing at our surroundings, warm spring sunshine kissing our faces until the sky was a sea of violet. I felt as if we were existing in a world of our very own, never wishing to leave our Mediterranean-inspired dream.
For wanderlust seekers dreaming of escaping to Cornwall’s enchanting countryside, uncover the magic of Bargos here…
