Chapel Hill, Newquay, Cornwall

This light-filled house, minutes from Newquay's town centre, was the subject of a modernising, space-efficient renovation. It is thought to be the oldest building in the town, serving historically as a local forge. High ceilings and a pictured roof define its layout, with plywood joinery and white walls bringing a clean interior finish. The house would serve brilliantly as a serene seaside home or a bolthole for surfers and coastal lovers, with Fistral Beach and walks along Penitre Headland in easy distance.

The Tour

The house is set on the quiet residential incline of Chapel Hill, one of the oldest roads in central Newquay. Lined with Cornish cottages, it exudes a quiet village feeling. The front door is set into a characterful front façade of Cornish stone and render.

Sensitively renovated by its current owners, a designer and a carpenter, the interior exemplifies craftsmanship, with modern material touches inspired by Portuguese architecture. The primary living spaces are double-height and open-plan, softly illuminated by skylights overhead. A bespoke plywood kitchen neatly houses appliances, with plenty of storage and space for cooking and eating. There is ample space for hanging coats and wetsuits in the bathroom on this level, with a shower and a bath, ideal for long post-surf soaks.

Ascending the timber staircase, the mezzanine sleeping area forms a quiet and peaceful retreat in the eaves. Cork flooring runs underfoot and a large skylight brings excellent natural light in the daytime, framing views of the star-studded skies at night.

The Area

Located on the north Cornwall's Atlantic cliffs, Newquay has long attracted surfers from across the world to its 12 impressive beaches. The location provides access to the surrounding countryside and miles of beaches, as well as the walking and cycling routes along the South West Coast Path. For those looking to surf, swim or sail, Fistral Beach and the Penitre Headland are around a 15-minute walk away.

There are plenty of independent cafés, restaurants and retailers within easy reach, such as The Good Lyfe, Pavillion, Basket and The Two Clomes Fore Street Cafe, Box and Barber, Sushshea and MMW.

The sought-after town of Padstow can be reached in around 30 minutes by car. It offers an excellent selection of fresh seafood restaurants, cafes and bars, including Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No6 and Prawn on the Lawn. The Pig Hotel at Harlyn Bay is also nearby, and Coombeshead Farm has an excellent menu defined by its nose-to-tail approach to eating.

The geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in the late nineties, are around a 35-minute drive inland. St Ives is reachable within an hour, and is a great choice for fresh seafood, from beach shack to white tablecloth. Here, the delights of Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden can also be found.

Communications to Cornwall have vastly improved over recent years, with the A30 dual carriageway just north of Truro giving fast access to the M5 motorway at Exeter. Newquay’s train station connects to Plymouth, with direct trains to London from here in just over three hours. Cornwall Airport (Newquay) also provides regular shuttle flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and many other seasonal European destinations.

Council Tax Band: B