Penhallow Retreat

27/08/2024

CORNWALL SUMMER SEASON 2024

This was our fourth summer season with the holiday let, but due to the works on the house, we chose to only accept repeat guests who already knew the area and understood there could be a little noise!

Overall, Cornwall has felt quieter. This could be due to a variety of reasons like the unpredictable weather, the cost of accommodation…I can understand why people would choose to go abroad instead.

However, in my opinion, I find it hard to top the beaches in Cornwall and if you are like me, when I go abroad, I don’t tend to use them much as they are ‘too hot’!

Also, i’ve been really impressed with the eateries available this year. The standard of food in Cornwall is really up there.

If you are thinking of coming down in 2025, I would always say to have a rough plan of what you want to do to make the most of every second. Some things will need to be booked in advance. Pack everything from your bikini to your wellies, a pack of cards gave us the funniest of moments and a sketch pad, to just take a moment of calm and take it all in.

Bookings are open on Airbnb and a couple of weeks have gone already!

If you want to feel the true essence of Cornwall, we welcome you all in 2025 to come spend some time with us 😍

To all our guests this year, it’s been amazing, and thank you for putting up with the view of the scaffolding!

13/08/2024

This made me feel a little emotional!

This is all we want. People to fall in love with Cornwall. There is so much to see and do on rainy days as well as sunny. Be adventurous and look beyond all the tourist hotspots. Four years of being back home, I’m still blown away by some of the stunning locations!

Our bookings are now open from September. A bit more building work going on in September and possibly October outside, but apart from that and the gorgeous roaming Guinea fowl, we are pretty quiet here! 😂

Thanks LM for the glorious review!

01/08/2024

Cornwall, you are looking DEVINE!

Photo 1: Cornish coastal path on the north side, just north of the Perranporth airfield

Photo 2: the other side of Perranporth beach, the main side was heaving!

Photo 3: final destination. Holywell Beach, where the best beach bar gifted me with a strawberry and cucumber cooler for running all the way to visit! Thanks Liv!

4 years on and I’m still saying WOW to every corner I turn. Such a treat!

23/07/2024

It’s well known that in Cornwall it gets a tad busier in these summer weeks.

I’ve never been a fan of busy spots, so there are areas I sacrifice visiting for a few weeks, but that’s ok, I get to spend time in these places whenever I like the rest of the year 😂.

It can be tempting to hunker down (maybe not so much this year 😜), but there are plenty of places to visit that are pretty much off the radar and are so so beautiful, and show the true essence of this beautiful county.

St Agnes beacon was looking particularly special on my run today, all the purple!

Have you got any hidden gems that you don’t mind sharing with a small number of Penhallow followers? ☺️

22/07/2024

If you could pick one Cornish Beach to visit this summer, which one would you pick and why?

I find this such a tricky question, as there are so many amazing ones to choose from!

But if you had just one…

I do have a soft spot for Holywell….

20/07/2024

As our first guests come and go, yes, we are still very much a building site!

But in no way did it dampen their spirits! Not even that rain on Monday! 😂

However, after 10 months of graft from our builders and tradespeople, I can finally say, I can see light at the end of that tunnel.

Next guests arrive tomorrow and it looks like summer will be making an appearance! Finally!

This project has not been easy, but I can’t think of a better place to be to take it on 😍

Cornwall, you do have a way of making things feel better ❤️‍🩹

19/07/2024

Thank you for sharing Craig!

Cornwall you beauty. Its not often I see sunsets like this. Now I've finally got round to going through my photos this is definitely one of my favourites. A massive thank you to Penhallow Retreat for a lovely weekend and I would recommend you to anyone looking for a perfect place for a Cornwall break.

16/06/2024

Pub in Cornwall named best in England https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgxxkvdkl9jo

Congratulations to one of our favourites! The Peterville Inn

Check them out on your next stay with us!

The Peterville Inn in St Agnes has been awarded the title by the Visit England organisation.

03/06/2024

🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was so pleased to have this lovely review from our latest guests.

They booked last year, and were fully aware that they would be approaching a building site!

However, they all had a wonderful time and they have helped me rebuild my love with using Air Bnb.

Summer is now full with family and friends who know exactly what is in store for them, but I promise, it is only going to get less like a building site from now on!

Autumn and winter breaks now available via our Airbnb link.

27/05/2024

As I’ve spent the last two days cleaning and painting ready for our first guests, it got me thinking, what do people really want when they stay in a holiday home?

I’d love to know what you all expect to find, or what you would love to find to make your stay that extra special 🥰.

Not just when you go to Cornwall, but anywhere!

Let me know in the comments below, as it may just appear 😜😍

24/05/2024

ONE SUMMER 2024 BREAK LEFT!

We have one gap left in the calendar up for grabs!

If you are looking for a little Cornish break in the sunshine, the date is MONDAY 12th AUGUST from 4pm until FRIDAY 16th AUGUST until 10am.

We are looking for friends/previous guests via private booking only, as I know you will be tolerant of our building project which will be coming to an end somewhere around that time 🙏🤞🙏🤞

Did I mention the nightly rate this summer is half the normal peak rate? Steal!

Drop me a message if you’d like it 😍

14/05/2024

WE ARE ALMOST 8 MONTHS INTO the build…

…and in 2 weeks time, our first guests of the 2024 season arrive at Penhallow Retreat. 😳!

I’d love to say we are all ready to go, but the truth is, we are far from it!

Life at Penhallow Farm and being back in Cornwall has taught me that so much joy can be found with items still left on your to do list.

So, between the madness, we are still having fun enjoying what Cornish life has to offer.

I’m hoping our guests this season can embrace it too and look beyond the scaffolding to our tiny piece of a sea view!

Looking forward to welcoming all our guests this season. I have a feeling it’s going to be a warm and sunny one! (🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏)

05/03/2024

Change is afoot in the Barns garden!

Path coming up and a new fence. It’s like we weren’t content on just demolishing our own house 😂

Importantly, I have the best pasty in the land as fuel 😍.

3 months until our first guest’s of the 2024 season 😍

02/01/2024

HELLO 2024 👋

Long time no updates lovely followers!

After over a year of sorting out the plans and obtaining permissions, we received the go ahead to start works on our house in September 2023. A project that could take between 9-12 months to complete.

This has meant we had to close the holiday let temporarily as firstly, no one wants to holiday on a building site and secondly, we needed somewhere to live for a bit.

We are hoping (saying this loosely as you’ve seen the weather, right?!) to be water tight and back in our home after Easter, allowing us to get the let ready for guests from June onwards.

The holiday let has not been part of the plans, but I’m always doing my best to keep the inside tidy and up-to-date, so maybe a few cosmetic changes as per normal.

I haven’t opened up the bookings on Air bnb until we are further along the project, however when we do, I’m looking at opening up for weekends in June and July and then 7 night stays over the summer holidays at a reduced rate while there are still some final bits of building works taking place.

Spending some time in the let has been a valuable experience and I’ve come to realise what an awesome place it is to stay and you are all right, the beds are super comfy!

Watch this space for our progress and the release of some dates. A chance to pick up a bargain!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024!

The Hurdles x

14/10/2023

NEWS FROM PENHALLOW

Our third summer season has come and gone and where we are normally open most of the year, we have had to shut the doors for the time being.

The last thing people want when they come for a break is to attend our building site 😳.

However, although closed this winter, we hope to open up in late spring/summer 2024 when the works near completion. It’s going to look wonderful when it’s completed and we can’t wait to share Penhallow with our guests next year.

Where the let wouldn’t have changed too much, our house will be transformed and as you can see, the nearby annex has been demolished, opening up a larger area for parking for the time being. I can’t believe how much brighter it is already!

The gym will still be there for guests to use too, phew!

If you want to get your summer 2024 booking in privately, please drop me a message and let’s see what we can do. I know a couple of weeks have gone already.

It’s going to be a long and eventful winter, but we have an absolutely fab team on board. Wish us luck!

20/07/2023

This place is a MUST when you come to stay!

16/07/2023

ARE THE BEACHES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE?

A question we get asked a lot, but I don’t find it simple to answer.

In all honesty, it depends on who is asking.

We are lucky to be close to some of the most beautiful beaches and coves on the north coast, and are within a short driving distance, but I wouldn’t recommend setting off from ours with young children and your bodyboard under your arm! It’s downhill, but can take up to an hour at a steady walking pace.

A walk to the coast is around 4-5km, so if you are looking for some good circular walking routes it’s fantastic, taking you through Parc Shady, a woodland area in Mount Hawke and on your way to blue flagged Porthtowan beach then you can go across the south west coastal path, going past the National Trusts Chapel Porth (hedgehog ice creams!) past Wheal Coates, on to st Agnes head, up to the Beacon or even to St Agnes itself. So many options!

So, we are walking distance, but it really depends on you and your plans. Don’t expect the routes to be flat either, so come prepared!

However, I hope you can see that the journey is totally worth it! ❤️❤️❤️

We also have a bus from the village to Porthtowan and back, if you decide to do one way 😊

A few random dates available in August and September. Get booking via Air bnb!

14/07/2023

That rain today?! Wowzers!

Does it make you think about going on a little break away?

Where I can't guarantee the weather, I can highly recommend a trip to the North coast of Cornwall this summer to Penhallow, where a bit of sea air will revigorate you come rain or shine!

I have a few random dates left for summer 2023, all available through Airbnb...

Thurs 27th Jul 3pm - Sat 29th Jul 10am - 2 nights
Sun 3rd Sept 3pm -Fri 8th Sept 10am - up to 5 nights available
Sun 10th Sept 3pm - Fri 15th Sept 10am - up to 5 nights available

To get these bottomed off, I'm happy to do a 3 night minimum, just let me know.

Then, that will us be closed for a little while. I hope to keep you updated when we reopen later in 2024, but we have some big things happening!

Watch this space! VERY exciting times!

Take care, Hayley

31/05/2023

That glow 😍

30/05/2023

It feels like we waited forever for a good spell of decent weather…

…it’s finally here and Cornwall is looking insanely beautiful! Apparently we will see the warmest weather in the UK this half term, that’s insane!

Hands down, this is my favourite time in Cornwall. Seasons are changing, days are longer, veggies are FINALLY growing…I’m sure it gets better each time May comes around.

So here is a little photo dump for you of some of my favourite places we have had the joy of visiting.

Penhallow retreat is full on Airbnb, BUT, I am thinking of releasing one more weekend date for this year, Friday 22nd September until Sunday 24th September, with early check in and late check out.

Fancy a break? Drop me a message 😍

Hayley x

19/04/2023

We have one weekend left for bookings until SEPTEMBER!

And it’s THIS WEEKEND!

Is it your time to get some sea air, good sleep and a bit of rest and recoup?

I can’t promise the sun will always be out and I must stop apologising to the guests for the weather, but it maybe just the break you didn’t know you were looking for…

Take that leap and come and smell the gorse on the coastal path, it’s just like coconuts!

https://www.airbnb.com/h/thebarnatpenhallowfarm

12/04/2023

That sun is on its way!

We have space at the barn NEXT WEEK!

Kids will be back in school, Cornwall will be a little quieter again. Maybe this is your chance for a cheeky short stay?

I have dates available from Tuesday 18th April until Thursday 27th April. I can do a two night minimum during this time.

Dog friendly, even on most of the beaches!

What’s not to love? 😍.

Drop me a message and let’s see if we can get you some YOU time.

Hayley x

08/04/2023

Shelves and a blind have finished the place off.

Now, time to concentrate my efforts on the veggie patch 😍

Happy Easter weekend all! What a beauty of a day!

04/04/2023

And again! Thanks everyone!

02/04/2023

Walkthrough of Penhallow Retreat - 2023 season ❤️❤️❤️

02/04/2023

WE WILL BE GOING LIVE AT 1:30pm TODAY FOR THE PENHALLOW RETREAT AKA THE BARN, WALKTHROUGH!

Time to show off this new kitchen and all the other bits we did to get set for the 2023 season.

I can’t believe it’s ready! What. A. Month!

02/04/2023

Before I even knew about the kitchen needing a complete refurbishment, I had ordered some decking for the back garden of The Barn.

I must say it has really smartened the place up and it looks proper lush!

What do you think?

30/03/2023

We are two days away from our first guests arriving for the the Easter holidays.

We still have a day of work to go, then the cleaners will work their magic.

I really cannot wait to reveal our new kitchen to you all. This would never have been possible without a seriously amazing team of tradespeople who are not only completing the work, but keeping my stress levels down!

A huge and historical water leak was not ideal for our holiday let, but sometimes these curveballs come to test us ahead of pursuing bigger mountains. Watch this space for the photos this weekend!

15/03/2023

PENHALLOW RETREAT NEWS

We came across a small puddle of water by the fridge. Originally thinking it was from the fridge or something had been spilt, I ask my father to come up and see if he could replace the floorboard.

Instead, we have had to replace the whole kitchen 😳!

A historical leak from a damaged waste pipe has lead to us having to close this March. I was devastated. I knew I wanted to make my mark on the biggest and most used space of the let, but I was hoping it would be on my terms!

Anyway, tears aside, with the help of some AMAZING tradespeople, we are on track to get the whole place ready for our first April guests. Floor removed, damp proofed, new pipes, insulated, new electrics, plastering, painting, a whole new kitchen and redesign, new lighting, appliances and new floor and skirtings.

The only thing you will probably still recognise is my dads paintings!

The place will be looking absolutely stunning, and I can’t wait for our 2023 guests to enjoy the added bonus of a brand new kitchen.

And when it is done, I am definitely going out to celebrate!

17/01/2023

SNOW @ PENHALLOW FARM!
Well that was unexpected! On our move to Cornwall we pretty much waved goodbye to ‘proper’ snow, but look at this!

I’ve been up since 3:30am as I was just so excited to see the boys faces. It really did not disappoint.

I took the opportunity to take a trip down to the coastline to marvel at this natural wonder. Gosh my eyes have had a proper treat today 😍.

Feeling very lucky that this is home, and we are able to share a piece of it with our guests…minus the snow, as I’m sure it will be a while until we see it like this again!

Happy snow day Cornwall!