Delightfully positioned on one of the most picturesque streets in the heart of Port Isaac, Dolphin House is a historic Cornish cottage (circa 1722) bursting with character and charm. Brilliantly atmospheric, Dolphin house offers the perfect Cornish home-from-home for multi-generational families wanting to explore this quaint fishing village and surrounding area. Boasting a sheltered garden, perfect for soaking up the Cornish sun with a pasty in hand, and a private car parking space (like gold dust in Port Isaac) slipping into holiday mode will be a breeze.
Enter through the modern galley kitchen, perfectly equipped for preparing laid-back holiday meals to be enjoyed in the cosy dining room next door. The walls here tell a story of their own, lined with deep forest Scandinavian redwood salvaged from a sunken 17th-century merchant vessel. Beautifully time-worn, the panels carry a quiet sense of history, creating a warm and atmospheric setting for long, unhurried meals and easy mornings. Nautical touches throughout the space add to its comforting, lived-in feel. In summer, tiptoe outside and enjoy fresh crab sandwiches straight from the fishing boats. Fully enclosed and perfectly sheltered, this sun-filled oasis is the ideal place for children and canine companions to play, while adults unwind with a glass of something chilled.
Dolphin House was once the original village Manor House and traces of its past remain woven into the fabric of the building. In the rear garden wall, you can still spot the remains of windows believed to have come from 18th-century fishermen’s cottages. Over the years, the house has lived many lives, serving as a popular fish and chip shop in the 1950s before becoming a B&B and, eventually, the much-loved holiday home it is today.
After long windswept walks on tumbling headlands, retreat home and pad along the slate flagstone lined hallway to the cosy living room. Here, chunky wooden beams, sash windows and sinkable sofas provide a sumptuous background for evening tipples. Throw some logs on the fire and warm toes as you share tales of the year gone by.
As the day's dose of sea air draws sleepy souls up the carpeted stairs, a selection of three doubles and two twin beds offers a peaceful refuge. Peer through the sash windows to the seagulls soaring outside and a labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed cottages below. With the choice of two-family bathrooms, a shower room and a separate WC, there will be no queuing for the bathroom in the mornings!