Cornwall Living
Discover St. Austell Bay
Award-winning property agents Rohrs & Rowe offer their take on the appeal of the St Austell Bay area.
From Gribbin Head in the east, extending to Chapel Point in the west, the magnificent St Austell Bay area includes the communities of Polkerris, Polmear, Carlyon Bay, Charlestown, Duporth, Porthpean, Trenarren, Pentewan and Mevagissey. The natural curvature of The Bay is part of its beauty and provides some protection from the English Channel, making it an excellent choice for numerous water sport activities and safe swimming, as well as being a firm family-favourite destination for holidays.
Sat on the water’s edge is the picturesque port of Charlestown. For those who are familiar with the books of Winston Graham and the two-television series of Poldark that they spawned, then it needs no introduction. It has also been used on numerous occasions as a backdrop to films such as Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland and The Eagle Has Landed starring Michael Caine. Its harbour dates back to the late 18th century when entrepreneur Charles Rashleigh developed it from a minor fishing village (West Polmear) into a port for the exportation of China Clay, that the wider St Austell area is so widely famed for.
Charlestown remains relatively unchanged since its construction, hence its appeal as a period location for movies and TV. It also hosts many excellent eateries and pubs as well as quaint places to stay.
Each location around The Bay is also home to a beach. It’s hard to recommend any particular one over another, as each has its own unique appeal. They range from the quaint beach at Polkerris to the private beach of Duporth, accessed by residents only via a coded gate. There are much wider stretches of sand at both Polmear and Pentewan, and Porthpean has a café and toy shop! You can also hire out kayaks and watercraft from various locations to make a sea-based exploration of the coast.
One of Cornwall’s main attractions lies just inland – the world-renowned eco park and educational hub – the Eden Project. Its reputation goes before it and should be on everyone’s bucket list. Over the summer, it is also host to many world class entertainment acts that in 2022 included Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Stereophonics and Diana Ross to name just a few.
Around the area you’ll find some stunning properties which Rohrs & Rowe are marketing.The first is Methrose at Porthpean. The property is a very rare offering to the market, not only due to its magnificent position and views but also because it is unusual to find a fully single storey residence in such a prime location. Many of its rooms and also large areas of the garden are privy to what can only be described as spectacular sea views that stretch out across the waters of St Austell Bay to the magnificent and rugged coastline that disappears in to the distance.
Mevagissey is home to the spectacular cliff-top house, Compass Point. Built in 2014, this exceptional architect-designed house enjoys truly world class views across St Austell Bay from its spectacular and dramatic location. The house enjoys three en-suite double bedrooms, with each benefitting from the magnificent sea views via floor to ceiling sliding doors, which also have access onto a full width outside balcony. The living area is a cavernous semi open-plan room comprising the living area, dining room and kitchen. The focal point though are the sea views via multiple floor to ceiling glazed windows and doors that run the entire width of this stunning room – the views can only really be compared to being onboard a large ship! Outside is a full width infinity terrace that provides a vast area for outdoor entertaining or alfresco dining, providing some of the most spectacular sea views that you will find anywhere on the south coast of Cornwall. A further large terrace is home to a glazed dining pod and the large timber summer house. There is a lawned area that runs the width of the terraces, and three private parking spaces outside of the entrance gates to the property, with a further area of secure hardstanding providing room for further car parking or the storage of a boat.
Just under one mile in-land from the coast is the magnificent Penarwyn House. Built in 1895 by John De Cressy Treffry, High Sheriff of Cornwall, it is a beautiful and impeccably presented Victorian residence set in private grounds. The entrance driveway opens to reveal a broad courtyard and the imposing and handsome house makes a lasting first impression. The whole property is a showcase of interior design, cleverly displaying the size and flexibility of the accommodation at its best. Each room has its own individual styling, which combine as a whole to provide a truly exceptional and unique home. All of the rooms are all very generous – Victorian proportions provide high ceilings making the whole experience very grand. Upstairs the bedrooms are just as impressive, each with a very luxurious feel. In addition to the main accommodation there is a separate staircase leading to three very beautiful apartments that the current owner offers as holiday lettings.
So, if you are looking to buy a home either overlooking or within touching distance of the coast and you haven’t considered the St Austell Bay area, we would highly recommend a visit. Or, if you have a home here and are considering selling, make sure to get in touch to see how Rohrs & Rowe can help.
Rohrs & Rowe
