Castaway Cottage nestles on the edge of three miles of sand dunes and nature reserve that stretch from Godrevy and Gwithian all the way to Hayle. This stylish retreat offers the perfect escape for surfing and outdoor activity with large secluded gardens and generous laid-back indoor living space, and is also extra dog-friendly.
The property offers a unique alternative to our Gwithian Towans chalets. It’s at Upton Towans, a little further south along the bay and is perfect if you are looking for more space. You will feel as if you have discovered your own special corner of Gwithian, with private access to the sand dunes. A fifteen minute stroll through the dunes leads to the huge beach at Upton Towans, which is lifeguarded May to September and is 100% dog friendly all year and all day long.
This property is a stylish beach house, newly renovated to an exceptional standard and has everything you need for a Cornish getaway – from the smart TV and ensuite master bedroom to the hidden path out onto the golden dunes and beyond to the beach. Whether you will be visiting Castaway Cottage as a group of friends looking to take advantage of the epic Gwithian surf, a family group wanting plenty of space to relax and explore, or simply a couple desperate to tire out the dogs, watch the waves and switch off for a while, this retreat is a coastal haven.
You will discover Castaway Cottage at the end of a shared private road, a three minute drive from Hayle. There is no passing traffic and once you have pulled into your private parking spaces, a sense of unbridled privacy descends. The space that this whitewashed bungalow benefits its guests is immediately obvious, with a small, enclosed front lawn and the large back garden complete with al-fresco dining area and backed by woodland.
Inside Castaway Cottage
Enter into a light and airy hallway, with two super-king-size bedrooms to your left and right. Both are zip-and-link beds and can be converted into twins. The first boasts cool neutral furnishings, windows almost stretching from floor to ceiling and plenty of storage. The next has been impressively styled with tasteful Cream of Cornwall touches and with a handcrafted headboard retaining the beachside feel. Again, natural light and plenty of built in storage makes this room feel light and spacious – perfect for waking up and feeling utterly relaxed. The next bedroom is cosier, perfect for kids with two narrower single beds that can be linked together to make a king-sized double.
The ground floor also has a family bathroom, with a generously sized shower – perfect for washing salty hair and soothing tired arms after a day of surfing!
Enter into the open plan kitchen and dining space which is bright and airy thanks to the large window looking out to the garden, and has a modern yet rustic feel. It is equipped with everything to make life as relaxed as possible for a large group, complete with washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher and large fridge freezer. Enjoy coffee at the breakfast bar, or wander to the conservatory to bask in afternoon sunlight. Here there is also a large utility and storage space for welly boots, flip flops and dog treats – which can also be corralled with a dog-proof gate to give four-legged friends an area to themselves if needed.
Around the corner from the kitchen is a large sitting room with full height window — with plush sofas and stylish deep blue walls, this is the cosiest room in the house. Snuggle up and log in to your Netflix account on the large smart TV, or enjoy evenings spent playing board games with a glass of wine.
Head up the stairs to the master penthouse bedroom. Complete with luxurious ensuite, this snug room has a superking double bed (the only one in the house that cannot be made into a twin), a walk-in closet and unbridled privacy. With a wide window overlooking the garden and woodland, marble countertops and a double sink and mirror set up, the bathroom is a haven for relaxation. Enjoy a bath with a view, or spend time rejuvenating in the large shower – either way, this master suite offers its guests a little extravagance.
Out and about
The large landscaped garden is accessed either via the side of the house or through the conservatory. Fully dog secure, there is plenty of space for four-legged friends to explore – but there is also a lot of space for family kickabouts and garden picnics! If dining al fresco is on the agenda, the owners of this property have cleverly identified the best sun trap that sits just to the side of the conservatory and have made a gravelled area, complete with large picnic table and barbecue. And the cherry on the top, an après-surf shower to rinse off all the salt and sand after a long session in the waves.
At the side of the garden, you will be sure to notice a garden gate – this will take you to a path leading into the small woodland behind Castaway Cottage. Follow this path to discover the most convenient dog walk, a carpet of bluebells in springtime and a virtually private access pathway onto the dunes that back the beach and give this area, Upton Towans, its name.
The Upton Towans area is a much more discreet section of the coastline in comparison to Gwithian. For those after a little more privacy, even in peak summer months, this area is perfect. The waters aren’t as busy but the surf is still great when swells are rolling, and you’ll have no trouble finding an area of sand to call your own for the day. This part of the beach has the added bonus of being dog-friendly all year round, so if you do fancy a beach walk with the pup during the summer then you can.
Whilst Upton Towans is quiet enough to benefit from less footfall from beachgoers, the cafes of Gwithian are still only half an hour away on foot with the restaurants of Hayle five minutes in the car, or all that St Ives has to offer just 20 minutes away. Farm shops like Richard’s and Trevaskis are great places to get local produce without travelling far, and supermarkets are all nearby too.
Things we love
At its heart, this is a characterful retreat that is the perfect place to enjoy the surf and coastline – as a group of friends or a family. With privacy making Castaway Cottage feel a world away, you can enjoy the beauty of the area from a quiet location.
The interiors have been professionally styled by an interior designer, and it shows. Everything has been furnished to the highest standards, from designer prints to the more practical side of things – sockets with built-in USB ports. At every turn the owners’ thought as frequent holiday home users is evident – nothing has been overlooked in Castaway Cottage.
With only the penthouse suite on the first floor, we think that Castaway Cottage is ideal for multigenerational groups or families visiting – the family bathroom shower has only an inch or two step into it so is perfect for anyone who has slight mobility difficulties. The dog-friendly aspect of the property is great too – the owners were fed up of visiting ‘dog-friendly’ properties that didn’t have anywhere to put dogs at night so have made sure that Castaway Cottage is dog-friendly – and owner-friendly too!
