We all know the feeling. You have packed the car to the rafters, navigated the motorway traffic, and finally crossed the Tamar into Cornwall. But then come the infamous Cornish country lanes. While they are undoubtedly beautiful, reversing a packed family estate car up a high-hedged lane to let a tractor pass isn’t exactly the relaxing start to a holiday you were hoping for.
That is exactly why a stay at No. 3 The Old School House is such a breath of fresh air. Once you arrive in Cawsand, you can park up in the village car park and simply leave the car keys in the bowl for the rest of the week. Everything a family needs for a proper Cornish seaside holiday is right on the doorstep, meaning you can completely switch off and enjoy village life at a walking pace.
Mornings by the Water
There is a wonderful, slow rhythm to life on the Rame Peninsula. Your day begins to the sound of the waves right outside the window. At high tide, the house is completely surrounded by water, making it feel as though you are waking up on a ship. Instead of wrestling the kids into car seats for a morning excursion, you can just stroll across the street.
Almost opposite our front door is The Old Bakery. Run by Chris and Liz, it is a village institution. Grabbing a loaf of their famous chocolate sourdough and bringing it back to the kitchen island for breakfast is the perfect start to any day. From there, you can take your coffee out onto the main bedroom balcony to watch the sea, or head straight down to the sand.
Adventures on Foot and by Sea
When you stay with us, the beach is quite literally an extension of the house. You can access the sand directly from the kitchen via our private historic smuggler’s passageway. We keep a double kayak, paddles, and life jackets ready and waiting for our guests to use. Older children and teenagers can spend hours out on the water exploring the coastline, while parents can keep a watchful eye from the comfort of the sitting room window seat.
If you fancy stretching your legs, the South West Coast Path runs right past the door. A fantastic family walk is the route over to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. It is a stunning coastal stomp through woodland and historic parkland, rewarding you at the other end with wide open spaces for the kids to run wild, and an excellent ice cream parlour to keep everyone motivated for the walk back.
Ferries and Evening Feasts
Even if you want a change of scene and a touch of city life, you still do not need to get behind the wheel. Between Easter and late October, the Cawsand Ferry departs directly from the beach right below the house. It is a brilliant little boat trip across the water to the Plymouth Barbican, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the historic waterfront, galleries, and shops before catching the boat back to the village. Alternatively, the Cremyll Ferry is a short walk away and zips you straight over to the Royal William Yard for waterfront dining.
When evening rolls around, Cawsand and Kingsand have a fantastic food scene that is entirely walkable. You can wander along to The Devonport Inn for incredible food by their French chef, or step out to The Bay for dinner with a sea view. If you prefer a quiet night in, simply pick up some local cheeses and provisions from The Stores deli just down the road, open a bottle of wine, and pull out the board games.
A family holiday should be about spending time together, not spending time in traffic. If the idea of a completely car-free, waterfront escape sounds like your kind of break, please do take a look around No. 3 The Old School House on our website and check our availability for your next Cornish adventure.