In the heart of unspoilt Coverack with beautiful views of the bay sits Mermaid Cottage, a romantic retreat for two. With gorgeous, boho-inspired interiors, a secluded garden and a summerhouse for sundowners, and the coastal path on your doorstep, this pet-friendly holiday cottage has all you need for an indulgent coastal stay.
Short breaks are available all year round: Friday – Monday & Monday – Friday.
Just off one of the narrow lanes that wind uphill from the harbour, this chocolate-box thatched holiday cottage has to be one of the cutest homes in the village. Inside it’s full of vintage charm, luxurious touches and thoughtful extras. Just beyond the garden gate, Coverack harbour is a minute’s skip downhill. The village has some great places to eat, and you can roam for miles in either direction along the coastal path, allowing you to explore the coast and the coves of the Lizard Peninsula on foot.
Inside
Moments from the habour and village pub, off a side street, you reach an unassuming garden gate and spot Mermaid Cottage’s distinctive thatched roof. Passing a well-kept flower garden and private lawn, you enter through the blush-pink front door into a light and airy hallway. To your right you’ll find the neat little kitchen, painted the colour of stormy Cornish seas, a blue that’s been splashed on walls, ceilings and floors throughout the cottage. There’s an electric Aga, a deep Belfast sink and amazing sea views through the window. The owners have thought of all the little extras: herbs and spices, coffee and condiments. Across the hallway, the stylish bathroom is the ultimate place for a bit of R & R, with a double-ended rolltop bath, candles on the windowsill and two wine glass holders in the wooden bath tray.
The living room is a beautiful, colourful space, with unique ombre walls, deep velvet sofas, log burner, gilt mirrors and a window seat at the far end — the perfect place to watch the weather roll in with a glass of wine or kick back and relax to the sound of the classic record player. Up the stairs you’ll find a decadent bedroom, with a kingsize bed, lace-fringed curtains framing a deep window seat, and two huge wheels of feathers decorating the walls. Next door is your stylish dressing room, which could also be your creative studio with inspiring views of the sea. If you’ve been trying to find time to start that novel or experiment with your watercolours, this could be your moment. This room also has a small bed, so the home is ideal for three as long as you are happy with the bed size.
Outside
You may be in the heart of the village but it feels totally private and secluded here. Surrounding the cottage is the beautiful garden — with 180-degree views of the cove, village and the ocean beyond. This space is your own little suntrap for that early morning yoga session, a lazy afternoon barbecue or a sundowner. Not forgetting is the unique summerhouse, built (in winter 21/22) by local craftsmen from Cornish chestnut and larch, with a roof of reclaimed Delabole slate. This makes for an unforgettable and sheltered spot to soak up the morning sun as it rises over the bay.
You’re brilliantly placed for exploring Coverack, be it by kayak, SUP or windsurf from the harbour’s slipway. There are some great places to eat out, including The Lifeboat with its award-winning fish and chips, and the Paris Hotel, named after the SS Paris which ran aground here in 1899. You can pick up supplies from the Village Stores, which sells pretty much everything you might need for your stay, from fresh veg and meat to wine and firewood. If your legs need stretching, there’s endless exploring to be done on the South West Coast Path, which practically crosses in front of the garden gate — head south-west towards Kennack Sands (five miles) or north to Lowland Point (four miles).
Things we love
There are so many things we love about this place it’s hard to know where to start. Mermaid Cottage is a feast for the eyes — beautiful, eclectic, sumptuous interiors and thoughtful touches everywhere, from the drinks trolley under the stairs (featuring plenty of Cornish spirits) to the piles of games for rainy days. It’s the sort of place where you wouldn’t mind if it rained all week — there are so many corners to curl up in, with your nose stuck in a book or a glass of wine in hand.
For such a little place, Coverack has a lot going on — you needn’t touch the car all week if you don’t want to. After a day spent hiking along the coastal path or getting active out on the water, pick up some freshly landed fish from the harbour slipway. Then it’s back to the cottage to cook up a feast, whip up a cocktail, have a candlelit soak in the rolltop and sink into the window seat for rest of the evening.
