Location

The property is located on the upland slopes, above the ancient coastal village of Portloe, within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village was once a busy hub of pilchard fishing (and smuggling) and is one of Cornwall’s most desirable coastal addresses, with its sheltered cove, stunning cliffs, Coastal Path and sea views, all within 12 miles of the Duchy’s capital, Truro. This substantial and impressive property lies within close proximity of the Lugger Hotel and The Ship Inn, and within 9 miles to The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Caerhays Castle. The town of Falmouth can be reached by a short ferry trip from the village of St Mawes where there is an impressive choice of wine bars, restaurants, boutique shops and maritime attractions. The mainline rail stations offer high speed connections to Exeter, London, Wales, and Scotland. There is a very good primary school at nearby Veryan, The Roseland Academy Secondary School at Tregony, whilst Truro and St Austell have a selection of public and private schools with 'Good’ and 'Outstanding’ Ofsted rankings.

Description

The property was built in the 1930s and is believed to have been designed by the notable architect, Alfred Cornelius. It is now a handsome family home. The property has been sensitively refurbished and extended, retaining Cornelius’ signature features, including the distinctive 'eyebrow’ window, the deep bay in the drawing room and low-level roof lines. The property is sited on nearly 3 acres of land comprising south facing wooded garden terraces to the front of the property, a natural meadow incorporating a wildflower area, and a Cornish orchard. A field gate marks the entrance to Highland with its long, impressive Monterey Pine Avenue approaching the house. The avenue divides in two, leading to parking areas at the front and rear of the property. To the front of the house, a semi-circular gravelled arrival area frames the house’s formal front entrance. At the rear, a rendered, walled courtyard provides parking for several cars and has a number of out-houses. There is a single garage with a second garage and workshop/workbenches, attached to the main house. The courtyard provides access via rear doors to the house and annexe.

Ground Floor - The impressive, original oak front door opens into a storm porch where an inner glazed door welcomes guests into the spacious entrance hall. The hall opens radially into a number of rooms, including the drawing room, under stairs cupboard, boiler room with coat hanging area, kitchen, cloakroom, study, and dining room. The house layout is designed to enjoy the southerly aspect of surrounding garden and sea and country views. The drawing room is filled with warmth and light from a large bay window in the house’s eastern elevation, overlooking a lavender garden with formal, hedged lawns beyond, while French doors open the room up to the veranda on the south side where Veryan Bay and National Trust fields can be seen from the large, decked patio. This delightful room is heated by a feature wood-burning stove and radiator.

The double aspect, farmhouse style kitchen features a British racing green aga, surrounded by plenty of softwood below counter and wall mounted cabinets with a range of fitted appliances, including a dishwasher and stainless-steel sink. A door links through to a utility room and walk-in pantry, with a butler’s sink, plumbing for a washing machine, space for a chest freezer and a rear door to the eastern gardens. The study retains many of the building’s original mid-20th century features including the parquet flooring and diagonal corner cupboards, with a cast iron fireplace which runs on liquid propane gas (currently not connected). Adjacent to the study is a contemporary cloakroom with vanity unit sink and WC. From the west side of the hall is the formal dining room retaining some of the house’s original features including a plate rack, deep skirtings and large, four pane window which frames views of the pine clad slopes and the glittering sea. From the dining room a door opens into the self-contained annexe with underfloor heating, its own kitchenette, sitting room, double bedroom and large en-suite. This annexe has separate entrances to the front and rear of the building including its own ramped entrance from the rear parking court. The annexe also has its own veranda with the incredible views over the cove and bay and was developed with access for all in mind. Back to the main entrance hall where you will find a restored, turning staircase ascending to the first floor.

First Floor - Upstairs, a galleried landing leads into four generously sized bedrooms, two with their own ensuite facilities. The principal bedroom is located at the eastern end of the house with the wrap around views of the bay, providing the perfect relaxing retreat. A large ensuite bathroom includes a corner shower, pedestal basin and WC. Three other double bedrooms feature generous storage space and there is a large family bathroom which includes a bath, shower, pedestal basin and WC.

Exterior, gardens and garage - The house sits at the eastern end of the terraced gardens which include a formal parterre lavender garden, woodland walks, orchard and long flower borders.

Many of the plants have been selected for their attractiveness to bees, including numerous unusual scented varieties. There are a number of outbuildings in the grounds, including a garden tool shed, a large shed, large outbuilding, covered areas for bins, garden furniture and log store. The gardens make use of the level changes by the introduction of a series of garden terraces which include formal hedged gardens, a woodland garden/lawn, slate terrace, decking and the main lawns. The garden is beautifully planted and tended, encircled in mature and interesting tree stock, all maintained regularly by the owners. At the eastern end of the property, an attached field has been developed into an apiary and grassland meadow with a wildflower area. A bank of tilting solar panels captures solar energy providing additional electricity for the house and the national grid.

Directions

Portloe lies off the B3287 (turning left after the Texaco garage) from the A3078 which feeds from the A390 between St. Austell and Truro. Once in the village follow the road around and head up the hill, past The Ship Inn. Take a right fork up a very steep lane to the top and Highland is on your right, posted with a white bee hive.

Distances (miles): Truro - 12, Padstow - 29, St Mawes - 9.7, Veryan - 1.5, Cornwall Airport (Newquay) - 22