Royally Penolva

We were invited to stay at one of the St. Mawes Retreat homes – Penolva, a luxurious waterfront house built in the early 1960s.

Tucked away from the crowds on the tip of the stunning Roseland peninsula, Penolva meaning “lookout on the headland” was built in the early 1960’s by Dick Wilkins, a personal friend of the Queen Mother and a great sportsman as well as a respected personality in the City of London. 

The rooms and its terraced garden boast sweeping 180-degree views across the water.

The terraced garden was lovely but I didn’t like walking on the gravel paths! I would jump up on the low walls to find my way.

Now, let’s go inside this lovely house and give you a tour. Mum LOVED the interiors. You can tell how much she loved it by the number of photos she had taken! LOL!

The bedrooms are all upstairs – and the living spaces are downstairs. Let’s go down there first.

Once downstairs, we entered the Dining Room – a long dining table with a pendant crystal light above it. Beyond -views of the sea.

The spacious Living Room to the left …

This was our favourite spot – sitting by the window, watching boats sail by.

On the other side of the dining room is the kitchen …

Upstairs are four large ensuite bathrooms. First Master Bedroom at one end of the house – all bedrooms look out at the sea.

The Pink Bedroom …

The Blue Bedroom …

And down at the other end of the hallway …

… is Master Bedroom Nr. Two –

As you can tell, this was our bedroom.

We slept with all the curtains wide open and every morning we watched the sunrise.

It wasn’t blue skies and sunshine every day we were there. In fact, on the second day, we were only too happy to shelter in the comfort of the house when gale winds blew and rains pelted at the windows.

Mum loved sitting at the end of the dining table to write, looking out at sea, listening to the water …

Coincidentally, we found out that Missy’s Great Aunt was also good friends with the original owner, Dick Wilkins and we think she had probably visited Penolva! Now we know why Missy felt so at home in Penolva.

May’s comment: St Mawes is a small village opposite Falmouth, on the Roseland Peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall.

Penolva is one of the St. Mawes Retreat properties in an area of outstanding natural beauty, on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall.

St Mawes Retreats is a small private family run, luxury holiday house company managed by Amanda Selby that was established 20 years ago. It has a portfolio of holiday houses which sleeps from 2 to 14 guests. And yes, all dogs are welcome.

We visited two others –

Stargazers sleeps 14 guests. A contemporary holiday home with breathtaking sea views and landscaped gardens.

SeaView is a newly built porperty, sleeps 8 guests and has been interior-designed by a top London designer.

All the holiday houses are located either on the waterfront or only steps away from the beach and St. Mawes harbour. They have magnificent sea views overlooking St Anthony’s lighthouse, the Percuil River, St Mawes bay and the Carrick headlands and out to sea. 

All guests booking a holiday with St Mawes Retreats are offered concierge services – to advise on places to visit and things to do which can be organised.

Water sport lessons for both children and adults can be organised, including sailing, wind surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking. Water sport equipment hire including kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, boats. 

A private chef to cook luncheons, dinners, barbecues and prepare picnics. Special event organising for special celebrations including wedding anniversaries, engagement, birthdays.  

Guests can also arrange for in-house spa treatments including facial, massage, pedicure, manicure.

We welcome dogs at St Mawes Retreats and on their arrival we provide dog treats, a dog bed for a comfortable nights sleep, dog towel for wet paws and a dog toy and ball for play time in the garden or on the beach!