About
“Hello & Welcome to The Snuggery from Heather & Rob”
A bit of background about us. We moved to Cornwall in 1991 when our twin boys were just 4 years old. Rob is a fisheries biologist working for CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences) and Heather is now an international business coach having run several businesses in the past including The Body Shop Int. Plc franchise for Truro & Penzance, an international soft ware company based in Zurich & a restaurant in Truro.
The original barn, now known as Skybernoweth (which means “New Barn” in Cornish), we know was built in the mid 19th century as there is an engraved granite stone with the initials of the builder and the date JW 1864 above the front door.
This was a working farm until the 1980’s. Shire horses used to pull the plough alongside tractors. When we first rented the farmhouse next door, Melodie and Nelson (shire horse mother and son) both still lived in the stables and yes, he was named after Mr Mandela! In fact Melodie is renowned with the local fire brigade as somehow she got into the upper story of the barn and fell through the floorboards to the chickens below! It was a mammoth undertaking to get her out in one piece.
We bought the property with no planning permission in 1991, which included all the buildings and the land at the back known as the mowhay (pronounced mau-eee) giving us an acre of garden. The mowhay is the area where Cornish farmers used to store all the farm machinery and utensils so our gardening exploits have revealed a vast array of old tools, glass bottles, bed warmers and all kinds of buried treasure.
We renovated the barn whilst living in a caravan with the boys living in a room the size of a broom cupboard! Thankfully they had acres of farmland and barns to play in. We re-used as many of the old materials as we could. All the beams in the barn are original, the roll top bath was found in the field and re-enamelled, we even had our bed made from the old floorboards!
We kept as many of the original features as possible and have done the same with the Snuggery. The little window above the bed in the bedroom and the ones in the sitting room and bathroom are all original openings. We were lucky with both properties and by using sympathetic design the original openings provided good window and door access. We wanted to create a warm, snug and contemporary environment whilst maintaining the Cornish traditions of wood and stone. The décor is soft & blends contemporary style with some antique furniture, taking the best from the new & old.
The cottage is fully equipped with everything you need for a perfect stay right down to bath robes and fluffy white towels.
The surrounding area is still working farmland and woodland ensuring that you experience the truly rural idyll that we are lucky enough to enjoy. The hens may visit in the morning and you will no doubt hear the clip clop of hooves as the horse comes in and out. We hope you can cope with a bit of mud – you will need your wellies in the winter and in summer the warm balmy evenings BBQing on the terrace to the sound of the mill leat & owls hooting will beat any police sirens and the sound of traffic! The birds in the morning can be deafening if you are light sleeper, they are certainly not endangered in Cornwall.
We live in a very special part of the the world and we would love to share it with you.
With warmest regards
Heather & Rob Forster
The cottage
A beautiful converted stone barn set in the heart of the valley near a babbling brook The Snuggery provides a luxury detached cottage with everything you need for a wonderful holiday. Intelligent use of space and design has created a snug cosy atmosphere with spacious living using lovely natural light. The master bedroom is decorated in restful serene aqua-marines and whites, and is further enhanced with soft lighting and storage. The coved window utilises the natural light and the warm stone creates a soothing ambiance to provide couples a blissful space to unwind and enjoy some true quality time together. The luxury modern bathroom is a real highlight – with skylights and a traditional free-standing slipper bath to ensure a relaxing end to your day whilst gazing up at the night-sky to the sound of the waterwheel from the Mill house nearby.
The spacious kitchen dining area is fully equipped with everything you would want – real home from home (and if there is something you need that’s not there we will endeavour to provide it). The sitting room provides a cosy sofa bed for whiling away the hours reading or watch DVD’s. The underfloor heating keeps it cosy and the fire provides extra warmth in the winter months. There’s a radio with Ipod docking station, loads of books, DVDs, games, maps and magazines.
An exclusive outside terrace is the perfect place for a hearty al fresco supper by candlelight after a long day exploring Cornwall. Whether you spend the day galloping along the beach on horseback, walking the coast path or in the magical woodland nearby, there’s no better way to end the day than with a chilled glass of wine outside looking at the stars. Lose yourself in the peaceful surroundings and let the sound of the millstream sooth away all stresses and strains.
The terrace
There is a private terrace for guests with a BBQ and table & chairs.
The garden
Guests are welcome to make use of the garden and often receive fresh eggs from our hens or veggies from out organic vegetable garden when in season.
Exploring Cornwall
The Snuggery is within easy reach of both the north and south coasts, making it the perfect base for exploring the best of what Cornwall has to offer. An idyllic cottage retreat for countryside enthusiasts and lovebirds looking for some time out. Five minutes off the A30 it’s just 20 minutes in all directions from nearly all the best locations in the County. The Eden project is 8 miles towards St. Austell, Rick Steins Seafood Restaurant and the gorgeous village of Padstow on the North Coast is a 20 minute drive and even the Tate Gallery in St. Ives is just 40 minutes away with Penzance just under the hour.
The Snuggery is surrounded with rural countryside – open fields and woodlands on all sides.
Transport
Ideally you will need a car as public transport is very limited but there is a daily bus service to Truro where there are trains and buses linking up to everywhere in Cornwall. Newquay airport is just 7 miles away so access to the rest of the world is just a hop skip and a jump away!