Rose Cottage

The Retreat

Rose Cottage is a cosy ground-floor property that comfortably sleeps four, and enjoys a lovely south-facing garden that borders a small stream, as well as access to an enclosed communal garden. A stone's-throw away from the beach, Rose Cottage is perfectly placed to enjoy the charm of Port Gaverne.

Rose Cottage boasts an open-plan living/kitchen/dining room, with a large window and window seat, which makes the area light and spacious. The king bedroom has garden views and the twin bedroom includes another window seat for watching the world go by. Contemporary bathroom fittings and tiled floors enhance this cottage and the local art and fittings throughout the cottage give the place a sense of its history and locality.

Take a look at our webcam, it provides stunning live views of Port Gaverne beach.

This pretty single-storey cottage comes with beamed ceilings and an open aspect onto its own private rear garden, perfect for barbecues on summer evenings.

The rear garden borders a stream which flows from the hills down to the nearby beach, although safely fenced off making this ideal for young children or pets, the sound of running water accompanies anyone who is relaxing or playing in the garden. A nearby slate bridge creates access to the private parking and an easy route to the beach itself.

Rose Cottage is part of a delightful collection of restored 18th Century Cornish buildings that were originally fishermen’s dwellings and now make eight attractive self-contained holiday cottages positioned around a sunny courtyard garden, and just a stone’s throw from the beach.

Nestling in the beautiful, secluded cove of Port Gaverne on the north Cornish coast, Rose Cottage offers a tranquil haven to enjoy your self-catering holiday in Cornwall.

Owned by the National Trust, Port Gaverne is a sheltered inlet on the North coast of Cornwall that has a small sandy beach at low tide, rock pools and caves, cliff walks with magnificent views and stunning sunsets.

We will 100% be back

Yet another lovely stay in Rose! We have been coming down to Port Gaverne for many years and it never disappoints. Rose has become our favourite place to stay. Welcome gifts and biscuits after a long journey! Thank you again, we will 100% be back next year!

Nicola, Mike, Tori & Aidan — June 2024

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Details

Retreat Details

SLEEPING

Principal bedroom: king bed
Bedroom two: twin beds
All bed linen provided

BATHROOM

Bathroom with shower over bath
All bathroom towels provided

LIVING & RELAXING

Ground floor accommodation
Open-plan living, kitchen and dining area
Smart TV
WiFi

COOKING & DINING

Dining table and seating for four
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven and induction hob
Under counter fridge with freezer compartment

OUTDOORS

Access to shared, enclosed garden
Outdoor seating available in both gardens
Private rear garden that borders a stream

BABIES & TODDLERS

Travel cot and highchair on request (cot linen available on request)

PETS

Up to two well-behaved dogs welcome

UTILITIES & HEATING

Gas central heating throughout
Washer/dryer
Essential cleaning items

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

Check in from 3pm
Check out by 9:30am

PARKING

Allocated parking for one car
Shared EV charging point

ACCESSIBILITY

Single floor property
Please contact us for more accessibility information

Video

Location

Port Gaverne

Port Gaverne is one of North Cornwall’s ‘best kept secrets’! We have a fantastic selection of holiday homes here for you, sleeping from 2 to 8. All are right opposite the beach, have private parking, and are dog friendly, and most have cosy log-burners, making then a delight at any time of year. This little coastal hamlet is a short stroll from Port Isaac, and often features as a backdrop to Doc Martin episodes. You are staying away from the crowds of Port Isaac but just a ten-minute walk to the neighbouring village’s most impressive claim, having not one but two Nathan Outlaw restaurants. In Port Gaverne itself you’ll find a great award-winning pub as well as tapas-style beach café.There is also direct access onto the dramatic coastal footpath, leading straight into an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, whilst the small, sheltered beach reveals golden sands and clear azure waters at low tide.

More about this area

The port gaverne guide

A foodie's favourite

In the heart of the hamlet, the Port Gaverne Hotel and Restaurant serves up Cornish produce — and it’s delicious. Try a range of gins, taste local ales and let the bar staff recommend a fine wine, as there are plenty to choose from. Stroll from the Port Gaverne holiday cottages along to Port Isaac and experience exquisite dining at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw. Famed for its seafood taster menu, this Michelin starred restaurant is the perfect place for a celebration or romantic treat for two. If you’re accompanied by children, who may not appreciate Mr. Outlaw’s finest cuisine, follow your nose to the Angry Anchovy for excellent pizza and Cornish craft ale. There are also plenty of other places serving fresh seafood, such as Fresh From The Sea at the top of town.

Our 100% dog friendly beach!

The cove and beach at Port Gaverne is dog friendly all year and all day—one of the few in Cornwall! It’s part pebbles and part sand—wait for the tide to go out and you’ll be rewarded with sand between your toes, rockpools to explore and caves to discover. At high tide it’s amazing for wild swimming. See for yourself with our live Port Gaverne webcam. For those with a taste for adrenalin, this sheltered cove offers some excellent guided coasteering too — get hold of Cornish Rock Tors who will guide you along cliffs and through the water. They also offer wild swimming sessions, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, as well as plenty other land-based activities. The cove is right opposite cottages and apartments in the area, so walk sandy footsteps back up to your retreat, or wrap up in a towel and get the wood burner going to dry out.

Coastal footpaths and clifftop walks

North Cornwall is famous for its dramatic, rugged coastline and Port Gaverne is no exception. Whether you head east or west, you’re greeted with stunning coastal walks — or head inland for circular strolls. Take the coastal footpath and walk east up the coast towards Tintagel, which will take you past some fantastic beaches, often requiring a walk down to their sandy shores but certainly worth the trip. Head west along the coast in the opposite direction and up the footpath to Port Isaac for a great coastal walk that’s not too long or strenuous, just up to Port Quin and back again.

Between Port Quin and Polzeath is a fabulous stretch of the coast path, jutting right out into the Atlantic and offering some really spectacular views. All of the coastal footpaths are dog friendly, but there are some steep sections so make sure you keep the lead handy.

Beaches
Food & drink
Things to do
Enhance your stay

Beaches

Port Gaverne beach

It’s literally on your doorstep, and is loved by families, sea-swimmers and dogs alike! Some say it’s the quaintest cove in North Cornwall! The beach is owned by the National Trust and has remained almost unchanged in hundreds of years it was once a thriving port exporting slate and landing coal as well as being a busy pilchard-fishing port. Port Gaverne cove is sheltered with plenty of sand at low tide, and is flanked by Port Isaac headland and ‘The Main’ (Port Gaverne’s headland), which tend to protect the beach from the big Atlantic waves.

Polzeath

An inspiration for poet Sir John Betjeman, Polzeath is a wide sandy beach about six miles from Port Gaverne. The village of the same name has plenty of restaurants and amenities to fuel a fun-filled day at the beach. With lifeguards on duty during summer days, a surf school on hand and plenty of rockpools to explore, Polzeath is the ideal place for a beach day.

Daymer Bay

Daymer Bay is a very sheltered beach about 8 miles from Port Gaverne. It sits in a sheltered spot at the mouth of the Camel Estuary, with calm waters and a long stretch of golden sand, and was one of poet John Betjeman’s favourite locations in Cornwall — it’s not hard to see why. One of this beaches great features is that it’s dog-friendly all year round too — and the wide open space makes it perfect to tire a four legged friend out!

Off the beaten track

Follow the coastal footpath to the east, or drive the road out of Port Gaverne and park up at Tregardock Farm. From here, it’s around a 20-minute walk and a bit of a scramble over some rocks to reach the sandy, quiet beach of Tregardock — be sure to check the tides beforehand! If you don’t fancy the walk, keep driving until you reach Trebarwith, with pub, shop and carpark, making it a little more family friendly and accessible — but a bit busier too. Both have an air of the undiscovered about them though, with waterfalls, caves and rockpools to explore, as well as being a little quieter than the likes of Polzeath.

Food & drink

Port Gaverne eateries

Port Gaverne has an extremely good food offering given the size of this tiny hamlet. Two of the best are in the heart of the hamlet — The Port Gaverne Restaurant and Hotel and The Pilchard’s Cafe, both of them are right opposite your accommodation and just off the beach. The Port Gaverne Restaurant and Hotel serves up excellent gastropub food and fine wines, or rinse off sandy feet and call in at The Pilchard’s for some tapas-style light bites and freshly made lunches.

Port Isaac Outlaw's Fish Kitchen close to Forever Cornwall holiday cottages

Michelin-starred food

Neighbouring Port Isaac is filled with brilliant restaurants, but the most famous perhaps are those of Michelin-starred Cornish chef, Nathan Outlaw. The seafood tasting menu at Outlaw’s New Road is a real experience for anyone who appreciates good food — make sure you book in advance! If you’re after something a little more relaxed, wander down into the town to Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, where fishermen and local growers dictate the menu daily. Housed in a 15th century fisherman’s cottage, you can still expect white tablecloths and superb service but with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Laid-back dining

Follow your nose to popular Angry Anchovy and take a seat for excellent pizza and Cornish craft ale. This dog friendly restaurant serves freshly made pizza, and despite its name, offers plenty of non-seafood options, too. If you’re hankering after a crab sandwich, head to the top of the hill to Fresh From The Sea. Husband and wife team Callum and Tracey catch crab, lobster, mackerel and Cornish varieties of fish from their own boat and have been championing sustainable fishing practices since 2003.

Buying local in Port Isaac

This little town with two Michelin-starred restaurants is, unsurprisingly, one of the best places to get hold of fresh seafood. There are several fishmongers in this tiny village where you can pick up freshly landed fish, as well as delis in the centre and farm shops in the surrounding area.

Find out more about buying local in with our handy Local Food Guide to Port Gaverne and Port Isaac

Things to do

Port Gaverne Stand up paddleboarding Rock tors

Coasteering

If you’re after an injection of adrenaline, you’ll need to speak to Ben at Cornish Rock Tors. North Cornwall’s coastline lends itself particularly well to coasteering and other adventurous sea sports like kayaking, paddleboarding and wild swimming. Cornish Rock Tors have equipment to hire if you know what you’re doing, but we’d recommend getting Ben to show you around the Port Gaverne waters.

Matt Jessop VCL Statue Tintagel North Cornwall

Tintagel Castle

The English Heritage Site of Tintagel Castle is often portrayed as King Arthur’s birthplace, with its Dark Age ruins, rich history of royals and mystical feel. Cross the footbridge and climb the 148 steps up to the island and walk through the wooden door that opens out to the Grand Hall, built by the fist Earl of Cornwall. Immerse yourself in the legend of King Arthur with the story slabs in the medieval garden, the bronze statue on the headland and search for the wizard Merlin’s face carved into the cliffs on the beach below.

St Nectan’s Glen

With an unmistakeable air of magic, this woodland walk with three waterfalls and hermitage are a must visit at any time of year and in any sort of weather. Park your car and walk 20 minutes into the woods to discover the first and biggest waterfall — at 60ft, this impressive waterfall has carved its own path through the rocks and tumbles down into the pool next to the pathway. Walk into the pool (if you forgot your wellies, the shop will lend you some for free) to really experience the magic of this waterfall – and make sure you don’t miss St. Nectan’s Kieve, the sacred hermitage next to the pool.

North Cornwall Padstow 24 August 2016 5. Matt Jessop

Padstow Foot Ferry

Port Gaverne to Padstow is a good 30-minute drive. Head to Rock, however, on the other side of the estuary and marvel at the millionaire’s playground. Hop onto the Padstow foot ferry that carries its passengers across the mouth of the Camel Estuary, past the Doom Bar and on to Padstow. The ten-minute journey is much shorter than driving to the town, and a much more entertaining mode of travel. The ferry goes every twenty minutes, usually from Rock but sometimes from Daymer Bay on a very low tide.

Enhance your stay

Affordable private dining

Imagine your own private chef! It’s far more affordable than you think, and it supports local businesses. Discover how to find and book the right chef for you!

Follow this link to read more.

Reviews

We will 100% be back

Yet another lovely stay in Rose! We have been coming down to Port Gaverne for many years and it never disappoints. Rose has become our favourite place to stay. Welcome gifts and biscuits after a long journey! Thank you again, we will 100% be back next year!

Nicola, Mike, Tori & Aidan — June 2024
Excellent facilities

We have had another fabulous stay in Port Gaverne. This is our third year coming to this part of the world and our first stay in Rose Cottage. We cannot fault the excellent facilities here, providing everything we could possibly need. We are looking forward to returning in the very near future.

Jim & Sue — March 2024
Always pleased to return

We have lost count of the number of stays we have had in 'Rose' and are always pleased to return. Unfortunately, the weather was not good, but we were happy to have a comfortable and congenial stay, as ever.

Linda & Hilary — August 2023
So glad we found this

Amazing stay and lovely weather, this truly is an amazing place. Very sad to leave but will hopefully be back next year. So glad we found this and our second visit was amazing and memorable!

Ruth, Will & Mabel — July 2023
We'll be back

Lovely stay as usual! Don't want to leave but we'll be back next year!

Mike, Nicola, Tori & Aidan — July 2023
Wonderful week

We have visited Cornwall more times than we care to remember but this is our first time at Rose Cottage and it has been a wonderful week. It provided everything we needed (and more) and we also had sunshine all the way! I am sure we shall return!

The Mills — June 2023
Comfortable

As comfortable as ever! Thank you.

Neil & Jenny — April 2023
Emily aged 8 — April 2023
Perfect for all our needs

Have had a lovely time. Think it's a beautiful spot — picturesque but rugged. Cottage is perfect for all our needs and we'd like to come again.

Ian, Anne, Lola & Bumble — December 2022
Ideal base

Such a comfortable cottage and an ideal base for a holiday in North Cornwall. So many lovely dog-friendly walks in the area — particularly recommend Lundy Bay to Pentire Point. We are certain to book for next year.

Neil & Jenny — November 2022
Great for dogs

Great holiday, lovely cottage, has everything you need. Fantastic location and great for dogs.

Tracey, Julian, Ruby & Dexter — October 2022
Another lovely stay

Another lovely stay here. Had a fab swim at Porthcothan - what a gem of a bay. Thank you for having us, we are back in the Spring and can't wait.

Carrie, Sim & Ted the lab — October 2022
Home from home

This is our third time at Rose Cottage and it feels like home from home. We love it here. It's perfect for the dog. Love the quietness of Port Gaverne with Port Isaac just over the hill if you want more. Everyone has mentioned great pubs and beaches, they're all worth a visit.

Mrs Fothergill — September 2022
Very comfortable

Very comfortable here in Rose and a good base for us for walking.

Diane — September 2022
A perfect stay!

Thank you for a perfect stay! Loved the walk from Tintagel to Trebarwith Strands - great for kids!

Matthew, Danielle, George & Emily — April 2022
Spotless

We would like to thank everyone who helped make our stay at Rose Cottage. Everything was spotless and there are no faults! It was a perfect spot to navigate through Cornwall's highlights. Thank you so much — we'll see you again.

Sam & Alex — April 2022
Cosy Christmas

We have had a lovely cosy Christmas in Rose. The walk to Port Quin was fab and the dog particularly liked the beaches here at Polzeath, Rock and Harlyn Bay. Also great for some winter swimming. We will be back again in the Spring — we love it here and can't wait to return.

The Tarmey family — Christmas 2021
As comfortable as ever!

Our umpteenth visit to Rose and as comfortable as ever! We love it here! Thank you so much.

Neil & Jenny — October 2021
A little piece of heaven!

As always, had a wonderful relaxing and fun-filled holiday with lots of sunshine this time! Enjoyed eating at St Kew, Barnaby's, The Lobster Shed and of course Pilchards and PG Hotel! Port Gaverne is a little piece of heaven!

Sue, Jeff, Beth & Brax — September 2021
Brilliant

We have been staying at Green Door Cottages for many years (at least 10, possibly more). Rose Cottage has been brilliant and enjoyed the outdoor spaces for the dogs. Don't miss the chance to swim in Port Gaverne - best spot in North Cornwall! The guys at Cornish Rock Tors are worth a visit and coasteering is something all should try. We will be back.

Jason, Frances, Daisy and Rose — September 2021
A lovely spot

Had a lovely relaxing time visiting the sights nearby. Rose Cottage is in a lovely spot and it provided all we needed. We were blessed with good weather which made all the difference.

Al & Rose — September 2021
Look forward to visiting again

Here we are again, enjoying this area of Cornwall which is ideal for our needs. We have enjoyed finding new places to visit, as well as the usual unbeatable beaches. We love staying here and look forward to visiting again. Thank you.

Linda & Hilary — August 2021
A much needed break

We had such a lovely stay as usual, weather got better towards the end of the week so were able to enjoy the beach! So relaxing, a much needed break away after the past 18 months. So grateful to be able to get here this year. Can't wait to come back again next year!

Mike, Nicola, Tori & Aidan — July 2021
A perfect base

We love this part of Cornwall and the cottage is in such a fabulous position. We've explored Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel, Polzeath, Constantine Bay and Daymer Bay. Love swimming here in the cove and walking along the coastal path. Great meals at the pub/hotel here, The Mote and Barnaby's in Padstow. Boat trips out of Padstow are great fun and we enjoyed body boarding. Thanks, the cottage has been a perfect base.

The Slater family – July 2021
Really nice cottage

Really nice cottage. Great walks on the coast path. Recommend The Chapel Cafe in Port Isaac, The Old School House and The Mariners at Rock. Trebarwith Strand is also a really lovely beach.

Joy & Andy – June 2021
Our fourth time here!

Wonderful as ever — our fourth time here! Can't wait to come back again.

Ms Thorp — May 2021
Stunning scenery!

A lovely stay in Rose and a thoroughly enjoyable holiday in Port Gaverne! A week of mostly lovely weather, great walks and stunning scenery! A super meal at the hotel too. We will return again soon.

Viv, Fran & Bettie — May 2021
A welcome return

A welcome return to Rose Cottage and Port Gaverne. A week of almost perfect sunshine. Have enjoyed lots of walks and trips to Caerhays Castle and Fowey.

Robert, Sue & Effie — April 2021
Definitely recommend

We had a great stay in your lovely cottage. Very comfortable, clean, well-equipped and cosy. We had some lovely big walks; the weather was mostly good. We had a delicious meal at Nathan Outlaw's restaurant and a great pizza at the Angry Anchovy. We will definitely recommend you.

The Donaldsons — November 2020
Immaculate

Lovely short break — house immaculate and comfortable. Hotel does a lovely Sunday lunch and weather great. Highly recommend it here.

Maureen & Tricia — October 2020
Great location

Lovely comfortable cottage, great location. Dogs loved all the walks we did. Will have to come back again when it's not raining!

Gaynor & Andrew — October 2020
What a gem!

What a gem! We have had the most wonderful time. Dog and toddler friendly — the cottage is perfect. Thank you!

James, Lizzie, Charlie & Satty — September 2020
Lovely cottage

Lovely cottage. I've been holidaying in Cornwall at this time for over 40 years — always a lovely time to come. The weather so far has been kind and yesterday was truly amazing. The sky was so blue, even feel as though I shall return with a tan!

Caroline — March 2020
Warm and welcoming cottage

Thank you for a really lovely few days in this warm and welcoming cottage which has everything we need. We have visited National Trust gardens (Trelissick and Glendurgan) — full of colour from the flowers everywhere! We were blessed with sunshine too.

Colin & Elizabeth — March 2020
We hope to come again!

We have had a great time despite the very windy weather! Thank you so much for providing such a cosy place to come back to after a hard day walking — we hope to come again!

Debbie, Frank & Dottie — March 2020
Exceedingly dog friendly!

This has been our third visit to Rose and it has been as comfortable as ever! We love the improvements to the double bedroom, which has made the room much more spacious! The cottage is in an ideal location to explore North Cornwall and the courtyard garden makes it exceedingly dog friendly! Thank you, we have had a lovely holiday. We plan to come back in 2020!

The Smith family — November 2019
The most excellent week

Loved staying at Rose Cottage, it is very well equipped, comfortable and clean! We have had a brilliant week here and managed to fit a lot of coastal walking in; our dog Lizzy will be glad to get home for a rest! We love Port Gaverne and Port Issac! We don't want to go home but alas we have to! We hope to be back soon and want to thank Green Door and Forever Cornwall for the most excellent week.

The Jackson family — September 2019
We keep returning

We keep returning to Port Gaverne because it is a delightful, restful and happy place to come back to. The walks are amazing, the beaches endless and the views are magnificent. We absolutely love Rose and so does our dog Rosie. We will be back, we have been coming here for years and will continue to do so.

The Cole & Marshall families — September 2019
We will definitely return!

Port Gaverne is a really lovely place, we had a great time here. The locals are so friendly and welcoming! We will definitely return in future and we loved the cottage!

The Robinsons — June 2019
Rose is so lovely

The beach in Port Gaverne across from Rose is amazing - from playing cricket, playing in the sea or just reading a book on the beach, it is enjoyed by the whole family. Rose is so lovely and we can't wait to be holidaying back by our favourite beach.

The Lewis family — May 2019
Fantastic break

We had a fantastic break in Cornwall; the cottage was perfect as was the location; everything was just so nice, we miss it already!

Mr J Tillman — July 2018
Very comfortable and well equipped

We have stayed at Rose Cottage a number of times. It is very comfortable and well equipped. Parking just metres away from the front door is a great bonus. Rose's location in Port Gaverne is fabulous — the beach is a two minutes' walk, as is the excellent Port Gaverne Hotel.

Mr N Smith — April 2017