Words by Hannah Tapping
Experience Gwithian’s rugged beauty and world-class surf from one of its renowned beach houses.
There’s no doubt that after a year of being at home, we are all experiencing a sense of wanderlust. It looks like international travel restrictions are here for a while yet so, what if you could experience a Mediterranean-style holiday right here in Cornwall? Gwithian Towans, on Cornwall’s north coast, has long-since been a Mecca for beach lovers and surf enthusiasts. Its endless stretch of golden sand frames the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse out to sea, while the dunes are backed with a plethora of beach houses. No longer the ramshackle surf shacks that they once were in the 1970s, these perfectly placed holiday homes have now been transformed into the ultimate in uber-cool, luxury coastal accommodation.
The Bee’s Knees is just that. It’s one of the larger chalets in Gwithian Towans, and has views across the water to the lighthouse. Sleeping up to eight guests in four bedrooms, the chalet is traditional in feel, but well-equipped for modern, beachside living. The heart of this coastal retreat is a large, open-plan living space, which extends out onto the deck. The rattan furniture, eclectic wall art and white-washed panelled walls give a boho-chic feel with the addition of a wood-burner for chilly nights and winter getaways. Add in wooden floors and an outdoor shower and The Bee’s Knees makes for a laid-back, luxury surf shack.
For a more modern feel, The Coast House offers stylish décor and underfloor heating. Comfortably sleeping six, this spacious holiday home comes with high-end furnishings and plenty of modern tech to keep everyone happy. The interiors are inspired by its coastal surroundings, with hues of calming blue and peaceful grey throughout. Ocean-facing, you need only take a step outside of the front door to find yourself in the heart of coastal Cornwall.
Rockpools has a similar beach feel, and is a dream retreat for a family or party of eight. Its private, enclosed decked patio offers far-reaching views over Cornish farm land and with another sunny deck to the front, there is ample space for everyone to kick back after a day on the water. Step inside, and the cool, calm interior is intended to soothe the soul. Holidays are all about relaxation and time spent here couldn’t fail to do just that as you are lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.
The thrill of the surf isn’t for everyone; for those whose wellbeing is exalted by a more laid back form of water therapy, Yellow Submarine delivers in spades. A sunken cedar hot tub will help to ease away life’s pressures as you listen to the waves and smell the salt in the air. A barrel sauna completes the holistic experience, rivalling the best of any far-flung villa. Al fresco living is what life here is all about with a large barbeque grill ready to cook up a feast of locally caught seafood for supper. Sleeping six-plus, this could be the extended family holiday you have been dreaming of.
The view from Surfside is uninterrupted. While breakfasting on the terrace, you can watch the early-bird surfers catching the first peaks of the day. There’s nothing quite like the view across Gwithian when the surf’s at its best. Clean lines of white water stripe across the deep blue ocean, reflecting the light back from the endless golden sand. This chalet has been lovingly restored and has a home-from-home feel that will make your shoulders drop and your cares ebb away as soon as you step inside. Even in the shoulder months, or during a winter storm you can still experience the power of the ocean from the warmth and comfort of its cosy conservatory.
If chalet-style living doesn’t appeal, or for a larger group then, the recently built, architect-designed Dune House and its interconnecting neighbour Dune Lodge provide the pinnacle of luxury in this iconic location. Set just up the winding lane from the main stretch of dunes, and with a commanding position that makes of the most of the expansive ocean views, Dune House sleeps eight with Dune Lodge providing accommodation for a further four. The show-stopping balconies invite endless hours of wave watching as the dune grasses sway gently in the breeze. Plenty of outdoor space and parking for multiple cars, which is a rare feature at Gwithian, make a luxury holiday here a pleasure both inside and out.