The Studio (Boat House)

Above the quiet, wooded creekside of Port Navas, where the tide gently laps the shore and wildlife flitters along the water’s edge, a contemporary cottage sits unexpectedly among the trees, just waiting to be discovered.

Romantic in every sense of the word, or just as ideal for solo travellers wanting space to think, read, or write. The Studio was once the art studio of artist Tom Cross, and as you sit out in the morning to the soundtrack of rustling trees and the murmur of the wildlife, it’s easy to see why this particular spot on the Helford proved so enthralling and inspiring.

At The Boat House, any preconceived idea of a holiday cottage can be turned on its head. High glass windows cut through traditional stonework and allow the shifting light and movement of nature to be at one with the interior, creating a modern retreat fully immersed in the idyllic landscape. The open-plan vaulted roof holds a mezzanine bedroom, and you get a sense of wonder as you climb the staircase and jump into bed – it’s almost as if you’re in your own luxury treehouse or cabin.

Snuggle down beside the roaring woodburner after an afternoon striding the coast path over crunching leaves, or sit out on a summer’s evening with a bottle of wine. From its location on the creek you can easily venture further to the waters of the Helford River for wild swimming, standup paddleboarding, or sailing. Once you fall under the spell of the Helford River, you might just find it hard to leave.