Nestled amongst the rolling green hills of Duloe, Liskeard, is where you will find a collection of cottages ready to be your home away from home for this coming festive period. Get ready to celebrate in comfort and style this Christmas, as Old Lanwarnick have six traditional cottages for you to choose from, all of which are rated five-star Gold by Visit England and hold the Green Tourism Silver Award. As the colder nights draw in, prepare to snuggle up by the fire, which all cottages are equipped with, and relax with loved ones.
On hand to help turn this dream into a reality are husband-and-wife team, Vicky and Matthew, who boldly took over Old Lanwarnick through lockdown. With family ties to Cornwall – a frequent holiday destination for them and their family – it seemed like the perfect match when this venture became available. As a self-proclaimed couple that struggles to sit still, managing the holiday homes and the 34 acres of land that they reside on seemed like something that would keep them busy, and they weren’t wrong!
Christmas at Old Lanwarnick
As we move into the yuletide season, while Matthew continues to keep track of the finances (and occasional maintenance of the Christmas lights and other festive décor around the site), Vicky will be ensuring that your festive stay is the best it can possibly be. They both love Cornwall and all that it has to offer, especially exploring the countryside and coastline at this magical time of year, and are always on hand to ask how best to make the most of a Cornish Christmas.
Old Lanwarnick is a business that has been in operation for a long time under previous owners, so when Matthew and Vicky took over, they understood that an important lineage needed to be upheld, and it continues to go from strength to strength. Old Lanwarnick is their home, and for the entirety of your stay, they would like it to feel like yours, too. Especially at Christmas, they know the importance of feeling ‘at home’, which is why, whatever you’re looking for, Old Lanwarnick will have something to make your Christmas dream a reality this year. So let’s dive in.
The Old Farmhouse and Hob Nob Cottage can sleep eight and six people respectively, so if a gathering of family and friends is what you are after this Christmas – with a bottle of wine and board-games galore – you’re in luck. Both properties have a beautiful open-plan interior, designed to accommodate large groups for those fun festive games. Perhaps you’re looking for something a little quieter? If so, perhaps Blackberry Barn or Rainbow Cottage is for you. Sleeping four and three respectively, these delightful homes are perfect for a peaceful family retreat for those looking to spend some quality time in the countryside. Honey Pot Cottage and Spice Barn each sleep two, and are the ultimate romantic stay destinations, complete with walk-in showers and Spice Barn even has whirlpool baths for those cosy Christmas evenings.
Four-legged Friends
As if all of that wasn’t enough, the team at Old Lanwarnick are going above and beyond this year as they equip each property with a real, pre-decorated Christmas tree, and infuse your festive home with that unmistakable aroma ready for your arrival. Just watch out for pesky pups around the baubles! That’s right, every cottage is proudly dog friendly, so much so that Old Lanwarnick have won the ‘Best Dog Friendly Accommodation in Cornwall’ award! This means you needn’t leave your furry friend behind, in fact, they will be greeted with a Christmas stocking all their own, jam-packed with tasty treats.
Spending a Christmas in the peaceful surroundings of Duloe is an idyllic way to unwind at the end of another year. And for those who like to stay active even during the holidays, there are plenty of activities to enjoy thanks to the proximity to the surrounding areas. Accessible by train, bus and taxi, it is possible to travel to Old Lanwarnick without a car. That said, a car is advisable as an economic benefit; having vehicle access will give you the freedom to explore all that north Cornwall has to offer at this magical time of year.
Looe
A mere 15 minutes away to the south is the picturesque seaside village of Looe. Here, the River Looe winds its way past boutique shops and delightful tea rooms, under the Grade II listed Looe Bridge which connects the north to the south, and all the way to the ocean. Glistening in the winter sunshine during the day, then lit up by twinkling lights in the evening, Looe really is worth a visit. A unique and fascinating location seeped in Cornish history, why not stop by the Smugglers Cott Restaurant for lunch in a property built in 1420? Here, you’ll also find the Main Merchants House, which was constructed later in 1590 using oak timbers salvaged from the Spanish armada! A few miles up the coast from Looe you can also find The Monkey Sanctuary, home to 40 cheeky individuals that are a joy to see. With educational talks on primate welfare and a chance to be a ‘keeper for the day’, it’s a fun day trip for all ages.
Liskeard
20 minutes north of Old Lanwarnick you’ll find the town of Liskeard. A great place to stock up with an obligatory box of Celebrations for the festive period, as well as some high-street shopping, Liskeard is also a hub for public transport. From here you can hop on the train to Penzance, taking just 1.5 hours and arriving at the most southerly train station in Great Britain. Alight here and meander through a town that’s filled with independent bookstores like The Edge of the World Bookshop, historic sea pools like The Jubilee Pool, and delectable cafes like The Honey Pot. The line from Liskeard to Penzance stops at places like Truro and Hayle too, and you can also alight for alternative trains to the surf town of Newquay, the marine town of Falmouth or the popular destination of St Ives, where you’ll find a plethora of shops, galleries, pubs and cafés all nestled along the cobbled streets. All of these are beautiful locations in their own right, and perfect for those adventurous souls that feel like exploring further afield. And when Christmas rolls around, there’s nothing prettier than the reflection of lights in the water!
Plymouth
If you wish to really get into the festive spirit this year, then there are several Christmas markets for you to enjoy. 50 minutes away is the city of Plymouth where visitors can take part in several wreath making workshops, a Santa’s Grotto, and the highly anticipated Christmas Lights Switch On, taking place on 19th November on the Barbican. With fireworks, music and sparklers, it’s bound to be a night to remember.
Padstow
If you are in the mood for something a little more low-key, then perhaps the working fishing port of Padstow is what you’re looking for. Running from 1st to 4th December, the Padstow Christmas Festival has a whole host of events lined up for all to enjoy, and takes place just an hour from Old Lanwarnick on the north coast of Cornwall. Sit back and relax with a warming mug of hot chocolate overlooking the ocean in one of the many harbourside cafés, or take a scenic walk along the estuary with a ferry ride across to Rock. Then when you get peckish, you can book yourself in for a hearty roast dinner at The Old Custom House. If you feel like doing something a little out of the ordinary then why not pop in for a visit to The National Lobster Hatchery, a unique opportunity to understand a little more about their efforts in marine conservation and a chance to get up close and personal with some vibrant baby lobsters, before they’re released back into the wild.
Magic of The Eden Project
Unequivocally, one of the highlights of staying at Old Lanwarnick at Christmas time is how close you will be to The Eden Project. One of the biggest educational centres in Cornwall dedicated to building the relationship between people and the natural world, The Eden Project is home to a wealth of activities, events and experiences for all ages, especially at Christmas. If you feel like you’re in need of warming up during the colder months, then step into the Rainforest Biome, a verdant oasis in which to lose yourself and a stark contrast to the world outside. However, if you are all wrapped up and ready to embrace a cold winter’s night then look no further than the ice rink. Opening on 15th October 2022 this festive treat is not to be missed, especially if you want to dig into the roasted chestnuts and mulled wine on offer post-skate. On the 23rd to 24th November, The Eden Project will also play host to the annual Cornish Christmas Fair, raising money for Cornwall Community Foundation and featuring up to 70 independent stalls from within Cornwall and beyond. It really does have everything to make this Christmas special.
It’s not just the coast that can offer fun for the family, nor cosy nooks or hearty meals on those bitter winter days. There’s also the countryside that surrounds you when you stay at Old Lanwarnick. If you feel like stretching those legs after mountains of cheese and crackers then pull on your walking boots and head to Deerpark Forest. An hour’s stroll from home and you’ll find a selection of trails and tracks at your disposal, perfect for scenic woodland walks for when the sunshine shows her face, all surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna native to this part of the world. If you’d like to add a touch more wild to your winter then look no further than Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary. Just under an hour on foot, or 10 minutes in the car from Old Lanwarnick, here you’ll find Meerkats, Lemurs, Coati, Reptiles, and more, just waiting for you to say hello! Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the gift shop, where you’ll also be able to shop to your heart’s content and take away a cuddly toy to remember your trip.
Fowey
When planning a getaway over the seasonal period, organising food for yourself and the family can prove stressful, and remembering what to bring from home, when the shops close, and what to buy en-route only adds more to your to-do list. Luckily, the team at Old Lanwarnick understand this which is why, on arrival, they supply a small welcome pack of locally sourced produce, including a cake, a small loaf of bread, butter, and eggs from their own hens. If you wish to dine out during your stay then there are plenty of pubs and five-star restaurants situated in the historic town of Fowey to take your pick from. Located just a 35-minute drive away from your holiday stay, Fowey boasts a rich lineage in architecture, literature and sailing. You can take a walk up to St Catherine’s Castle, a Tudor fort built on behalf of Henry VIII, learn about the town’s late literary resident, Daphne de Maurier, and marvel at the stunning yachts that moor up in the harbour year-round.
But most importantly, Fowey is home to a multitude of fantastic dining spots, and from fine dining to quick eats, there is something for everyone. The Old Ferry Inn, on the Bodinnick side of the estuary, is a must visit and the journey to get there is half the fun! If you arrive at breakfast time then we recommend a stop at Brown Sugar for a coffee, then on to Quay Bakery for a pain au chocolat to set you up for a day exploring the sites. If Fowey is a little too far for an evening meal then you can always try The Plough, a pub local to the village of Duloe and just a ten-minute drive from Old Lanwarnick, or the Ship Inn, a 20-minute drive away and perched unassumingly on the banks of the River Fowey.
Staying at Old Lanwarnick this Christmas means unwinding in the countryside, relaxing with family and friends by the fire, playing with the pooch in the 2 fully fenced dog exercise areas, and rinsing muddy paws in the heated dog wash. In short, it’s the perfect time to forget your troubles and enjoy all that this beautiful part of Cornwall has to offer this Christmas. Vicky, Matthew and the team at Old Lanwarnick are looking forward to welcoming you this year to ensure your Cornish Christmas is one to remember.
Boasting both grand farmhouses and cosy cottages, discover all that Old Lanwarnick has to offer and book your next winter break today.
