Cornwall LivingIssue #109
Living the dream
Enjoy the unique Cornish Riviera lifestyle with an Acorn Blue home, designed and built exclusively for those over 55, and offering the ultimate way to explore the great outdoors.
The Courtyard at Duporth is a unique collection of 38, two and three-bedroom homes. Centred around a landscaped courtyard and a Grade II listed clock tower, The Courtyard is part of Acorn Blue’s Lifetime Living Collection, and you’ll find it tucked away above a secluded beach overlooking St Austell Bay.
The remit of Acorn’s design team was to create a wonderful new community rooted in heritage, nature and the beauty of the surroundings. Architects Stride Treglown designed a bespoke range of buildings and spaces all telling their own story, with a variety of character to suit differing needs and tastes. The common feature is a consistent attention to detail and quality, always making the most of light, space, outlook and nature.
The clock tower at the heart of the development is enhanced by its courtyard garden setting with native flower species and tranquil places to sit and soak up the Cornish sun. The old Manor Farm buildings around this have been updated to provide comfortable homes whilst retaining the character and layers of history in the stonework and exposed trusses.
Stepping down Orchard Way, you’ll find a collection of new houses and apartments with generous south and east facing balconies overlooking the bay. Nature threads its way throughout the site, from the bee and bat-friendly planting of the central courtyard to the grass roofs of the Bay View houses that nestle below, providing a transition to the site’s private woodland. All of the apartments and houses have been designed to balance comfort, privacy, light and flow of space, whilst embracing the glorious ocean vista.
A home here makes for the perfect base from which to explore the area. The horseshoe-shaped Carlyon Bay, protected by the twin headlands at Trenarren and Menabilly, this is the heart of Daphne Du Maurier country. Charlestown Harbour (less than a mile from The Courtyard) sits at its centre, a once-booming port during the 18th century thanks to mining and china clay, and the area is backed by the town of St Austell.
For the discerning beach lover, the sands at Porthpean and Duporth beach offer calm waters, perfect for a spot of sunbathing or wild swimming. What’s more, residents of The Courtyard enjoy direct access to the beach! This relatively new past time, of immersing yourself in water year-round, has taken Cornwall by storm and heralds numerous health benefits for all, whatever your age. Once you’ve enjoyed a dip in the ocean, you can warm up with a steaming mug of coffee during the summer season from the beach café. For out of season swims, be sure to take plenty of warm clothes and a flask of your favourite brew to ward of the chills. For the more adventurous, this is a haven for kayakers and paddleboarders alike. Gliding over the smooth waters, this is the perfect opportunity for some wildlife spotting, who knows you might be lucky enough to be joined by an inquisitive seal or two!
If you prefer to undertake your adventures on dry land, and are happier on a fairway, then Porthpean Golf Club is the home of golf in mid-Cornwall. This warm and friendly club has a challenging course, with the front nine holes set in parkland, whilst the back nine have spectacular views over St Austell Bay. Clubhouse facilities are open to all, so even if you don’t fancy a round you can enjoy a glass of something chilled at the 19th hole.
Walkers are also well catered for in this area with plenty of stunning walks in both directions along the South West Coast Path. To the north, there’s a great circular walk that is of both historical and literary interest. It starts at Polkerris and takes you via Gribbin Head and on to follow part of the Saints’ Way – a 27-mile, early Christian pilgrimage route that stretches from Fowey to Padstow. Look out for the Celtic cross before returning to Polkerris. Head south along the cliffs and you’ll soon reach the long stretch of sand at Pentewan; beyond you can detour inland for a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan or continue to the harbour village of Mevagissey.
If these kind of outdoor adventures appeal, and you have always dreamed of living life on the coast, then we would encourage a viewing at The Courtyard at Duporth.
For more information on walks in this area, and across Cornwall, visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
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The Courtyard at Duporth Show Home is open by appointment. Contact thecourtyard@acornpg.org or call 01637 876000 for further details. Prices from £310,000 to £695,000.
Acorn Blue
01637 876000
