This beautifully renovated fisherman's cottage occupies an unrivalled central position on a private mews, in the sought-after Cornish village of Mousehole. With far-reaching sea views from each of the three storeys, the house also has a charming landscaped garden and terrace overlooking the water’s edge. Renovated with acute attention to detail and the addition of sensitive modern interventions, the cottage also draws a holiday let income for the current owners.

Setting the Scene

Mousehole–an archetypal Cornish fishing village which sits within Cornwall's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty–was a prominent settlement and fishing port, even before Newlyn or Penzance were established. On the south quay, there are sections of the harbour wall dating back to the late 14th century. In 1595, Spanish ships carrying hundreds of soldiers raided Mousehole, burning much of it down; only one building still remains. Now called the Keigwin Arms, it is a handsome Tudor building with two distinctive granite pillars which hold up the floor above. Today Mousehole still surrounds a picturesque harbour, with narrow streets and pretty cottages built from local finely-grained Lamorna granite.

The Grand Tour

A private, gated terrace leads up to the entrance at the front of the house, where a stable door opens into the primary living space. The subject of an extensive renovation and restoration in recent years, the interior has been sensitively modernised to create an exceptionally light space, with a calm and quiet aesthetic throughout.

The ground floor living and dining area is arranged in a predominantly open-plan layout, with whitewashed walls and charcoal slate flagstones with underfloor heating underfoot. A warming log-burning stove is positioned centrally in a fireplace with a characterful stone lintel. Timber-framed sash windows frame magnificent sea views. The contemporary, bespoke DeVol kitchen lies at the far end of the ground floor plan, well-equipped with modern appliances and a butler sink set neatly into white-painted bespoke joinery. The underfloor heating extends into this space as well.

A timber staircase leads up to the first floor, where the main bedroom can be found. A tranquil sleeping area is positioned at the front of the plan, where it enjoys breath-taking sea views, while an original stone fireplace occupies the centre of the room. Hand-crafted cabinetry and deep-set shelving offer a good provision of storage space. On the opposite side of this floor is a beautifully finished en suite bathroom with vintage fixtures and fittings, decorative tiling and underfloor heating. A cleverly conceived glass floor panel on the landing provides a visual connection to the lower levels and large skylights allow light to flood through.

The well-proportioned second bedroom occupies the upper floor of the house. This flexible space would also befit a wonderfully quiet writing room or studio. There are pitched ceilings and exposed stone walls, which speak to the architectural character of the cottage, set against walls lined with tongue-and-groove paneling, whilst original pine floorboards run throughout. The views from this floor are also spectacular.

The Great Outdoors 

The private, east-facing garden is positioned at the front of the house, benefiting from glorious sunshine in the morning with beautiful light reflected off the sea throughout the day and into the evenings. An original stone wall provides a boundary, while the internal borders are beautifully planted with lavender and hardy perennials. The stone terrace is the perfect spot for an evening drink and enjoying exceptional views across the crystal clear water and Mount's Bay.

Out and About

Saltponds is ideally positioned for the independent shops, cafes and restaurants of central Mousehole, which are just a few minutes’ walk from the house, as well as the attractive village bay and beachfront. Mousehole offers excellent access to the west Cornwall coastline and the popular destinations of Porthcurno, Sennen and Land's End. The picturesque fishing village of Newlyn is a short drive away; an area that has long been associated with artists who have been attracted by the light, the sea and the historic architecture. The ‘Newlyn School’ is among the best known of the artist groups.

Saltponds is around three and a half miles (a 15 to 20-minute drive) from Penzance, a larger town with a wide variety of services including a train station that runs direct services to London Paddington.

Council Tax Band: A