On the shores of the Fal river, at the head of the sheltered sailing waters of the Carrick Roads, lies the peaceful village of Feock and the Reading Room, a characterful holiday cottage for six. Perfect for exploring the south coast of Cornwall, the unspoilt Roseland Peninsula and the sandy beaches of Falmouth are a short drive away. In the heart of the village, this quirky dog friendly hideaway has far-reaching countryside views with Loe Beach just a five-minute walk away.
The Reading Room is a beautiful holiday cottage in Feock, a quiet village closeby to Falmouth and Truro. Just a short stroll to the beach and well-positioned to explore Cornwall’s south coast, this modern home with carefully curated interiors is a perfect base for up to six guests.
Inside
Up the steps and under the original clock, you enter into a bright hallway with beautiful parquet flooring and an oak staircase winding up to the bedrooms above. To your left, large oak doors lead through to the living room. This restful room has a contemporary feel, with seascapes by local artists on the wall, comfy armchairs by the wood burner and deep pile rugs on oak floors. Back through the hallway and into the kitchen/dining room beyond. At one end, the well-equipped kitchen has smart grey units topped with black granite work surfaces; at the other sits a large oak dining table with bronze lampshades suspended above. The downstairs bathroom is light and bright thanks to the big sash window looking out over green gardens behind the building.
Upstairs you’ll find three bedrooms nestling in the rafters, one at either end and a smaller children’s room to the back. With plenty of light flooding the space through the dormer windows and a palette of inky blues and coral pinks throughout, this upper floor has a feeling of calm about it. The Principal Bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe with plenty of hanging space, and an en suite with large walk-in rain shower. The kingsize oak bed with upholstered headboard is piled high with cushions — the setting for lazy lie-ins with the papers. Bedroom Two, with a super king zip & link bed, has a coastal feel to it with various hues of blue splashed about on the lampshades, cushions, and watercolours on the wall. There’s a cosy children’s bunk room up here too, as well as a family bathroom off the landing.
Outside
To the front, the outdoor area is a sunny spot for watching the world go by with a morning coffee or lunch al fresco, with views that roll down over unspoilt countryside across the road. Families will love the playground just a minute’s walk from the house, and it’s a ten-minute walk down to Loe Beach, with boat hire and watersports centre. Here you’ll be able to watch the local gig boats row out across the Carrick Roads, or you can hire a kayak or paddleboard to explore the sheltered waters for yourself — moor up at the popular Pandora Inn on the edge of Restronguet Creek for lunch in the sunshine, or paddle further south to Falmouth and St Mawes. The recently revamped Loe Beach Cafe, just off the sand, sells delicious cakes, cream teas, ice creams and breakfast baps from spring through to autumn, or tip up on a Friday in summer for their fish and chips, which you can take down to eat on the beach.
You’re an easy half-hour stroll from the beautiful National Trust gardens at Trelissick with award-winning cafe, secondhand bookshop and passenger ferry, which stops here on its route between Truro and Falmouth. The King Harry Ferry, just beyond Trelissick, will whisk you off to the Roseland Peninsula for secret beaches, epic coastal hikes and award-winning beachside eateries, such as the Hidden Hut on Porthcurnick Beach. Both Truro — Cornwall’s cultural capital with museums, theatre, independent boutiques, and brilliant places to eat and drink — and Falmouth, the county’s lively maritime town, are within easy reach.
What we love
The Reading Room is such a unique, characterful hideaway. The beautiful renovation has brought this 19th-century building back to life, its carefully curated interiors seamlessly blend the traditional with the contemporary. Here, comfort is key, evident in all the furnishings, from the deep sprung mattresses to the sink-into armchairs. We love the outside patio — a little suntrap for soaking up the morning’s rays — and the green views that tumble down over the fields and farmsteads in front of the house.
As perfect for family getaways as those seeking a romantic retreat, it’s brilliantly placed for making the most of life on the river. We love its location in Feock (near Falmouth), a pretty village with strong community vibes, and the fact that it’s just moments from Loe Beach, the village’s own stretch of shingle and sand. Grab lunch from the cafe before launching a boat or paddleboard and spend summer days exploring the network of coves and inlets off the Fal river, or pack a picnic and binoculars and walk the miles of creekside footpaths that wind through wildlife-rich woodland. In winter, enjoy blustery beach walks and seashore foraging before retreating inside to warm up with hot chocolate and boardgames by the log burner.
