A Cottage on a Cliff

If any of you reading attempted to book a last-minute holiday in the UK last summer, you’ll know how impossible it was to find anywhere. The post-lockdown local tourism boom was very real and rather than risk the FOMO I thought I’d get something booked in advance- the best excuse to finally visit a Landmark Trust property. If you’ve not heard of the charity, they save, restore and furnish buildings with historic importance in the UK (and a few overseas), creating unique spaces for holiday lets. I’ve had my eye on a few for a long time now, and the photos of Arra Venton in Cornwall, perched not far from the Atlantic cliffs, really sold me. 

Not far from St Ives or Penzance, Arra Venton can be found in a small hamlet and feels just about as rural as you can get, with cows for neighbours and no phone signal to be found (although Miguel very much persevered with the spot in a particular window that allowed him a bar or two every now and then). The interiors were as charming as they seemed online- a paneled sitting room with blue sofas, a dining table set in a unique curved window, and comfortable beds for the whole family. Our favourite spot was undoubtedly the window to the front, complete with a deep seat to sit and watch the sun as it sets over the ocean. 

We weren’t always lucky with the weather during our stay, but it just made for a good excuse to stay in the house and make the most of it. We rummaged through the cupboard to find Trivial Pursuit, cooked meals in the kitchen, and leafed through lots of books on the shelf, all curated to fit within the story of the house and local area. My mum took a particular shine to the many guestbooks, reading the stories of family holidays gone by and their recommendations for the area, as well as drawings and paintings. The place certainly lends itself to creativity- with no tv or phone, you can’t help but turn your hand to reading, writing, or in my case, photos and video. 

Let’s talk about the practical stuff. The price for a stay at Arra Venton varies depending on the time of year and demand, so you’re able to book a stay of four nights for as little as £282 (for five people). Landmark Trust properties are a fairly basic level of self-catering, so you’ll have to pack your shampoo and body wash as well as any kitchen essentials, but they do a great job of outlining exactly what you’ll find at the property when you book. 

Some of the fixtures and fittings were a little older and not quite as flash as you might get in a newer rental, but it’s part of the charm of a well-loved place, and certainly doesn’t put me off booking another Landmark Trust stay. 

Arra Venton was the perfect base for coastal walks, trips to St Ives and Hayle, and exploring all that the most southern parts of Cornwall have to offer.