Cornwall beach with harbour, café and apartments up for sale
We could all use a little escapism this year. How about some property dreaming? Or indeed summer in February?
That’s the title of a book and film about the artists who founded a bohemian community in Lamorna Cove on Cornwall’s Southwestern Coast, just before the First World War.
You can see what drew them here – a beautiful semicircular harbour fringed by dramatic cliffs, a tidal beach, and traditional Cornish cottages, as well as a few features you wouldn’t have seen in the Edwardian era.
Well, most of it’s up for sale.
You could be quite the local landowner with this purchase – you’d even own the Lamorna Cove registered trademark.
The lot includes the private road leading down to the cove, the beach and foreshore to the low water mark, private moorings within the harbour, boat launching slipway and harbour wall, extensive cliff on the South West Coastal Path, and a boat storage facility.
You’ll also own the cove’s restaurant and café, boasting 30 covers inside and 80 outside, on a two level patio overlooking the sea.
Adjoining the restaurant is a gift shop and gallery, and there’s also a boat storage unit which was formerly a small water sports centre renting kayaks, pedalos etc.
There are two holiday let apartments above the café, both with frontline coastal views, and generating good rental income.
Finally, there are two pay and display car parks and more overflow parking, currently sub-let and generating about £40,000 a year
Moving to Lamorna Cove could be a real lifestyle change – and what a lifestyle you could lead.
For inspiration, read Summer in February by Jonathan Smith, whose evocative prose tell the story of the dynamic Albert ‘AJ’ Munnings, renowned painter and horse lover, and his tumultuous love affair with Florence ‘Blote’ Carter-Wood – who turns for solace to the upright Major Gilbert Evans.
From landscape painting sessions to long horse rides and raucous parties packed inside the cottages, that lot knew how to live with vim and vigour.
Or, you could watch the slow-burning and beautifully shot film, starring Dan Stevens (you’ll remember him as cousin Matthew in Downton Abbey); Dominic Cooper (who was Sky in Mamma Mia!) and Emily Browning (Violet in A Series of Unfortunate Events).
The setting's all still there: plan a visit when lockdown ends, or take a tour from home on Google Maps.
Lamorna Cove is on the market for £1.45 million with Knight Frank in Exeter: see their website here.
