Harlyn HouseHARLYN BAY, NR. PADSTOW, NORTH CORNWALL

Viewing strictly by appointment through the vendor’s Sole Agent:Lillicrap Chilcott Landrian House. 59-60 Lemon Street. Truro. TR1 2PE

Tel: 01872 273473 Fax: 01872 273474Email: sales@lillicrapchilcott.comwww.waterfrontandcountryhomes.com

SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION - about 9,719 sq ft

Ground Floor: grand reception hall, dining room, drawing room, stair hall, library, wc, back hall, the old kitchen, breakfast room, former kitchen, garage, side entrance hall, inner hall, utility/boiler room, staff dining room, billiard room, garden room, vaulted ceilinged store house.

First Floor: spectacular principal galleried landing with octagonal light tower over. Inner landings and earlier secondary staircase, the gallery, staff kitchen, 12 bedrooms with possible other purposes, currently 1 working bathroom, former bathroom.

Outside: 200 yard long driveway with gate piers, haha, turning circle and secluded parking. Extensive lawned gardens, many mature trees and shrubs. Large sheltered south facing slate sun terrace. Walled garden and secluded garden with potential subject to planning. Side yard with towered dovecot. In all about 4¾ acres.

Harlyn HouseHARLYN BAY, NR. PADSTOW, NORTH CORNWALL

To be sold for only the third time since the 15th Century, one of north Cornwall’s most historic and prestigious seaside houses providing almost 10,000sq.ft of detached 31 room accommodation incorporating fascinating examples of architecture, plasterwork and features from the Medieval, Jacobean and Georgian eras, amazingly only within a few hundred yards walk of Harlyn and Constantine Bay beaches and Trevose Golf Club. A most interesting Grade II* Listed small mansion, the fabric of which has been sympathetically and expertly restored in recent years, enjoying sea views from the first floor and standing at the head of a 200 yard long driveway in grounds of about 4¾ acres including a walled garden. In one of the United Kingdom’s most highly regarded coastal locations just a few miles from the harbourside gastronomic town of Padstow and the Camel Estuary.

Beautiful views of the sea and coast.

HISTORY AND CONSERVATION

Harlyn House has been the most prominent house in the area for centuries with its name appearing to have been derived from the Cornish for ‘the important place by the water’. The site was evidently chosen for the original house due to the status of the family that constructed it and it lies at the foot of the southern slope of Trevose Head and was once surrounded by thousands of acres of land under its control.

The well documented families who lived there were strong patrons of both Constantine and St Merryn churches and as the sand dunes formed around Constantine church and it was abandoned parts of the church were moved to the new St Merryn church, paid for by the owners of Harlyn House. Whilst other items of stone were incorporated into Harlyn House itself including the magnificent Medieval moulded arched doorway on its north side which is thought to date from c.1390. Other examples of patronage to St Merryn church include the recasting of five bells together with the making of framed wheels and the materials for all the bells and much earlier, in 1507, a piece of ground near the churchyard was donated to the young men of the parish for the celebration of Cornish sports, one of which was hurling and the owners of Harlyn House had by tradition provided the silver hurling ball for the annual match.

Records show that the house was owned by one family line for about 400 years with the first records being of the Tregoye’s or Tregewe’s who were public figures throughout the 15th Century including Richard Tregew MP for Cornwall in 1448 with his ancestors recorded as MP’s as far back as 1347. A sole daughter heir then married into the Michell family and they continued to use Harlyn House as their principal residence although this extensive and powerful family also owned prominent properties in other parts of Cornwall. The last surviving male Michell, Henry, carried out extensive works on the house in the 1630’s in preparation for his daughter Elizabeth to live there with her new husband Thomas Peter and the initials HM relating to works of 1634 and 1636 are prominent in the property.

The Peter family were of considerable note and land holding having benefitted from services to the crown. Members of the Peter family are known to have

married into the Arundell, Godolphin and the Treffry families which positioned them at the pinnacle of Cornish society. The next custodian was Gregory Peter whose initials are found on the gateposts and it is thought that he added the new east range amongst other improvements. Gregory Peter was High Sherriff of Cornwall as was his descendent Henry Peter who commenced the next period of renovation and alteration. His son William again continued the renovation and it is he who completed the works to the grand reception rooms, stair hall and the decorative plasterwork. William died in 1851 and his son John, who was also High Sherriff of Cornwall, had no heir and for various reasons placed Harlyn on the market for the first time in approximately 400 years on the 6th June 1856, when it was offered with nearly 1,300 acres of land, six commodious farmhouses and necessary convenient outbuildings and labourers cottages!

The more modern history is quite different as the Hellyar family were gentleman farmers rather than landed gentry and they considered Harlyn a working farmhouse. The family owned the property for approximately 90 years, in which time little was done to alter the building. The house was then sold for the last time in 1947 to Captain N P S Millar who took the house on with leaking roofs, walls that were decaying and an architectural report saying that the house was past saving economically! Remedial works were carried out to protect the fabric of the building and since our client inherited the house in 1981 much more extensive, well planned and professionally overseen works have been carried out by master craftsmen with the objective being to return the house to a better state than it had been since the mid 18th Century. The works to the roof is an exceptional achievement especially considering there were thirty eight different pitches! Cast iron gutters have been fitted and the windows have been repaired and repainted. Decorative plaster from several different centuries has been restored and given a new lease of life and the building is now in the perfect state for a new owner to decide how to use the various rooms and fit out accordingly. Currently there is no proper kitchen although there is a small working kitchen in one of the first floor rooms, and there is only one bathroom although it is very well appointed.

DESCRIPTIONWhen Harlyn House was originally built this part of Cornwall was important for agriculture, fishing and the safe landing of boats to the east of Trevose Head. As the centuries have passed the prominence of the area has not changed yet the draw is now more focused on the outstanding surrounding natural beauty of the headland and numerous sandy beaches providing sheltered waters for swimming and more exposed surfing locations. Incredibly Harlyn House is within walking distance of all of this! Also only a few hundred yards away is Trevose Golf Club, renowned as one of the most iconic courses in Great Britain. For those enjoying the surrounding attractions Harlyn House remains almost entirely invisible as it is approached over a discreet 200 yard long driveway which bisects wonderful open lawns before passing over a Ha-Ha to the classic turning circle in front of the main elevation. Further secluded gardens surround the house providing different areas to enjoy throughout the day and to the south side are gardens enclosed by trees and a formal walled garden with arched entrance.

The main façade is formal containing the principal reception rooms on the ground floor and with five of the first floor bedrooms looking out over the front lawns to the sea around the entrance of the Camel Estuary beyond. Further first floor rooms can look to the west where Constantine Bay is visible. The eras of the house are displayed in the stonework and style on the exterior as much as throughout the rooms of the interior where a grand reception hall opens to the formal drawing and dining rooms to either side both with shuttered windows, with the drawing room having curved walls and the dining room having a more gothic influence including a magnificent plastered ceiling, arch to one end and a hidden chamber pot cupboard. The central stair hall and the galleried landing above are lit by a glazed octagonal light tower and off this hall one will find the panelled library. Numerous rooms extend through the rear of the building with much of these overlooking the south west facing terrace and planted garden. Historic features abound including wondrous fireplaces and studded doors thought to date from the early 1600’s. The first floor also has an extensive range of rooms which have seen many different uses over the years and are served by two staircases. The house is full of intrigue and possibilities for a new owner to write their own piece of history.

LOCATIONThe setting of any property is often its most important attribute and it is indeed hard to find fault with the location of Harlyn House standing between Harlyn and Constantine Bay beaches. This is amongst the very best coastal setting anywhere in Cornwall with immediate access to a very beautiful and immensely sought after part of the north Cornish coastline with some of the county’s most celebrated beaches literally ‘on the doorstep’ which is perfect for all manner of seaside activities from rock pooling to surfing.

The surrounding beaches are situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and at low tide reveal an expanse of golden sand with smaller sheltered coves ideal for sunbathing. Constantine Bay links around to Treyarnon Bay where there is the renowned natural swimming pool at the bottom of the low cliffs which is easily accessible at low tide. The beaches are patrolled by lifeguards during the season.

The South West Coast Path provides breathtaking views giving access to other nearby beaches and Trevose Head to the north which overlooks the mouth of the Camel Estuary and Daymer Bay. Not only is the rugged beauty of the Atlantic facing coastline instantly accessible, but the waters of the Camel Estuary open up a huge variety of other activities with fishing, kayaking, water skiing, windsurfing and kite surfing all taking place. The Camel Sailing Club at Rock holds racing throughout the season including national championship regattas for dingy classes.

Close by are the villages of Constantine Bay and St Merryn, which both offer a range of day to day facilities including an excellent primary school and a gourmet pub. The nearby town of Padstow has many others including a supermarket. Padstow has become famous in recent years due to Rick Stein’s seafood television programmes and the town has flourished with restaurants, cafés and artisan shops throughout its narrow streets and around the harbourside with sea adventure trips and sailing

club. A little further along the coast to the south is Mawgan Porth and the Scarlet Hotel and Spa and beyond this is Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant at Watergate Bay. On the opposite side of the Camel Estuary is the resort village of Rock which is renowned for sailing, St Enodoc Golf course and various top dining venues nearby, including those run by Nathan Outlaw.

Wadebridge is the largest town in the area and has a sports centre and cinema as well as being on the Camel bicycle trail which runs from Padstow to Bodmin Moor. The nearest mainline train station is at Bodmin Parkway and road access to the area is good via either the Atlantic Highway or the main A30 dual carriageway which links to the motorway network at Exeter. Only a few miles to the south is Newquay Airport at St Mawgan which offers internal and international flights including a regular service to London. Truro is only 35 minutes’ drive away.

Nearby Harlyn Bay

Trevose Golf Course Constantine Bay Booby’s Bay Trevose Head

First Floor

Harlyn HouseApprox. Gross Internal Floor Area

9,719 Sq Ft (903 Sq M)For identification only – Not to scale.

Ground Floor

GENERAL INFORMATIONVIEWING – Strictly by prior appointment through: Lillicrap Chilcott, Landrian House, 59-60 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2PE. Telephone: (01872) 273473. E-mail: sales@lillicrapchilcott.com.

POST CODE – PL28 8SQ.

SERVICES – Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. For Council Tax see www.mycounciltax.org.uk.

DIRECTIONS – Harlyn House lies between the coastal villages of Harlyn and Constantine Bay at the end of a 200 yard long driveway off the road which passes through Trevose Golf Course. If approaching from Padstow take the B3276 north coastal road and after the right hand turning to Trevone, take the next right hand turning to Harlyn. Drive past the head of the beach, through the village and just after leaving the village on a left hand bend turn right towards Constantine Bay. After a hundred yards or so a driveway will be seen on the left hand side leading between rows of trees to gate posts. This is the driveway to Harlyn House.

AGENT’S NOTE – The above particulars have been prepared as a general guide only for prospective buyers. Whilst we have endeavoured to provide a fair and reasonable description of the property, no specific survey or detailed inspection has been carried out in relation to the property, the services, the appliances and any fixtures and fittings or equipment. All buyers should rely on their own surveys and investigations in connection with any purchase of the property. All measurements, floor plans, dimensions, acreages and distances are approximate only and should not be relied upon for accuracy.

REFERENCE AND CREDITS – Much of the information contained in the sales particulars came from the book ‘Harlyn House, St Merryn, An introduction to the history of the house’ by Stephen Tyrrell who writes on historic houses within the county of Cornwall, has been overseeing the restoration of Harlyn House and has worked in the restoration of buildings for many years. He is a member of the Institute of Historic Building Consultants and is enthusiastic about buildings and their history. All responsibility for the information contained within these

sales particulars lies with Lillicrap Chilcott and we thank both Stephen Tyrrell and Michael Alken for their help in preparing them. Lilly Lewarne architects have worked with our client on the house and have also provided some of the information, including the floor plans, contained in these sales particulars.

RIGHTS OF WAY – Lillicrap Chilcott would like to bring to the attention of any interested purchasers that there are two public footpaths to the north and east side of Harlyn House, one of which runs up the driveway before coming to a dead end and the other crosses the front lawn and driveway, some distance from the house, and leads from neighbouring fields to the roadside. Our client has successfully, informally provided a different route around the edge of the grounds which has become the more commonly used route.

OFFICE OPENING HOURS – Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm. Saturday - 9.00am to 1.00pm. NB: A number of staff are available for viewing appointments all day Saturday and all day Sunday.

THE CORNWALL ESTATE AGENTwww.waterfrontandcountryhomes.com | 01872 273473 | email sales@lillicrapchilcott.com