Planning a holiday in Cornwall is not just about finding the perfect self-catering cottage; it’s also about discovering what this beautiful region has to offer, and that requires research. Boconnoc is an idyllic location for relaxation and a fantastic launch pad for exploring the breathtaking coastline, history, culture, and natural environment of south east Cornwall. To help you make the most of your trip and lighten your holiday planning load, we have crafted a family-friendly itinerary for a four-night holiday at Boconnoc.
We have created a four-day itinerary as during the summer Boconnoc is often booked for weekend weddings, as a result it is important to reserve self-catering cottages for seven-night stays well in advance. If you are looking for a three or four-night stay during the summer, it is easier to find availability, making Boconnoc a perfect choice for short getaways. Seven-night stays are more readily available outside the summer wedding season.
Day 1: Arrival and Estate Exploration
Getting to Boconnoc Estate
Our Stays Team will email you self-check-in instructions for your holiday cottage and directions that include what3words. We recommend using our directions instead of sat nav for the last steps of your journey to Boconnoc. Our directions will guide you down the two-mile private drive for a stress-free arrival at the Dairy House.
Once you have arrived at the Dairy House, the first thing we recommend is to take a moment on the terrace and marvel at the view that will be yours for the next few days. You will look over Boconnoc House and lawns, and beyond that down to the lake and rolling Cornish countryside. Take a few deep breaths and relax…you have arrived.
Settling into your Cornish Holiday Cottage
Come and say hello to the team at the Estate Office. Here, you can reserve times for mountain bike, stand-up paddleboard and tennis court use. You can also book an Ooni Pizza oven to be delivered to your cottage for a fun family pizza night. You will find a folder in your cottage packed with helpful information to help you make the most of your stay at Boconnoc but do not hesitate to ask the Boconnoc Team for advice or recommendations.
Provisions are especially important for any self-catering holiday; you can get fresh milk, apple juice, and pick seasonal fruit and vegetables from our organic Kitchen Garden. Our nearest town is Lostwithiel, which is 15 minutes drive where you will find excellent locally sourced food and a small supermarket. A supermarket delivery shortly after your arrival is always a good idea; all the leading supermarkets are available in our area.
Stretch your legs and get your bearings
For your first afternoon, we recommend exploring the Estate. Start by making your way to the Stable Yard, where you can visit the Games Room and Craft Room. After that, head over to the Dorothy Garden and take a walk up the grass aisle lined with magnolias, passing the fountain and reaching the arbour.
From the arbour, continue through the Shrubbery, then head down to the tennis court and on to the Kitchen Garden. Take a moment to see what fresh, organic fruits and vegetables are available — everything is grown locally with zero food miles.
After visiting the Kitchen Garden, we suggest walking back towards your cottage along Stewardry Walk. Depending on the season, you will enjoy blooming azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias along the way. You will pass the Fernery and see Lady Hamilton’s marble bath.
When you arrive at the back of Boconnoc House, head to the Georgian Bath House, which features a sunken-walled swimming pool that is now a folly. From there, it is only a short distance to your holiday retreat at the Dairy House.
Relax, unwind and sleep well
Fire up the BBQ and spend an evening dining al fresco with a bottle of local wine on the terrace. If the weather is not on your side, light a fire and get cosy. There are two sitting rooms in the Dairy House, so movies and quiet reading can happen at the same time. By now, you will have experienced the benefits of a holiday at Boconnoc. Let the peace, tranquillity, and relaxation wash over you, and sleep deeply in our luxurious beds.
Day 2: Boconnoc Estate Activities
Cycling Expedition
There are three short routes for families; they all have points of interest and will help you get to know the extended Boconnoc parkland. You could cycle down to the lake, up the hill to the Deer Park, and along Hydrangea Drive. You could cycle up the main drive to take a closer look at the Obelisk, or cycle down past the tennis courts to the water-powered Sawmill, take a look at the outdoor kitchen (great for picnics or BBQs), and follow the River Lerryn to Couch’s Mill. For a longer ride, combine all three or look at the route maps in the welcome folder.
Family Tennis Tournament
Keen players might want to get serious with their own rackets, or you can borrow rackets and balls from the Estate Office for some no-pressure tennis fun. Spectators can bring blankets and watch from the shade of the Shrubbery.
Stand-up paddle boarding and bird watching at the lake
Take our blow-up paddle boards for a spin on the lake. There is a small jetty to launch from, tour the lake, and then paddle over to rest under the weeping beech on the island. There is plenty of space to relax, sunbathe and picnic. The lake is also an excellent spot for birdwatching. Look out for common blue damselflies, swans, Canada geese, various duck species, kingfishers, herons, and cormorants.
Family Games Night
Head to the games room for table football, giant Jenga, or a game of pool. If Boconnoc House is guest-free, ask the Estate Office for croquet or football goals to be put out on the Lawn. You will find board games in the Dairy House if you prefer to stay closer to home.
Day 3: Explore the Cornish Coastline
A trip to Fowey and Readymoney Cove
Drive to the stunning coastal village of Fowey for classic Cornish vibes. Park at the top of the town, walk down through tiny, whitewashed streets, look at galleries and boutiques, and eat in great cafes and restaurants. You could even take a boat trip along the estuary.
Readymoney Cove is a short walk from Fowey. There is a cafe for ice cream, pasties, and snacks. For those of you who do not want to spend time getting sandy and would prefer some history, walk further along the coast path to the ruin of St Catherine’s Castle.
N.B. To make the most of your beach time, check the tide tables and plan your day around the tide.
Return to your Boconnoc Sanctuary
Drive through the Boconnoc gates and down the private road to arrive at your Cornish home from home. By now, you will know the Estate enough to make the most of it; take your aperitifs to the Dorothy Garden or the Bath House, go and pick some vegetables from the Kitchen Garden, or find a secret reading corner – the whole Estate will be yours.
Day 4: A day of discovery
Head to one of south east Cornwall’s famous tourist attractions
Visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where you will experience 200 acres of Europe’s largest garden restoration project. It’s a plant lover and gardener’s romantic dream with more than enough to keep young adventurers busy too. 40mins drive from Boconnoc.
Lanhydrock House is a flagship National Trust property that will fire imaginations and keep culture seekers and historians happy. 20mins drive from Boconnoc.
Transport yourself to the rainforest with a walk through the Eden Project biomes. Learn about conservation and the interconnectedness of all living things. 22mins drive from Boconnoc.
Take an archaeological walk on Bodmin Moor and discover the traces of Bronze Age and Neolithic sites. The walk also offers a stunning view across Cornwall and Devon. The starting point at Minions is a 27-minute drive from Boconnoc.
Afternoon dip at the beach
Following a morning of discovery, spend some time at the beach for a saltwater swim. Here are our suggestions for beaches where you can stop on your way back to Boconnoc.
From the Lost Garden of Heligan, visit Porthpean Beach, a lovely sandy beach near the village of Charlestown. Dogs are welcome all year, except from 10am to 6pm in July and August.
From the Eden Project, visit Carlyon Bay, a two-mile-long sandy beach with cafes, water sports and a thriving events programme. Dogs are permitted between October and Good Friday only.
From Lanhydrock, visit Lantic Bay, a beautiful large shingle beach with a short coast path walk. There is no cafe, so pack refreshments in your beach bag. Dogs are welcome.
From Bodmin Moor, return to modern-day civilization with a visit to East Looe beach. This is a classic bucket-and-spade experience with plenty of cafes for refreshments after your wild walk on the Moor. Dogs are not permitted at any time of year.
N.B. To make the most of your beach time, check the tide tables and plan your day around the tide.
Last night star gazing
Don’t forget to look up. Minimal light pollution means that the sky canopy at Boconnoc on a clear night is spellbinding. Watch the galaxy unfold from the Dairy House terrace or take a late-night stroll around the grounds. You will find torches in your cottage.
Day 5: Time to leave Boconnoc for home, feeling relaxed and recharged
Whether you are homeward bound or onward to the next part of your holiday, you should be relaxed and recharged from what we hope will be the first of many visits to Boconnoc.
During the summer, we ask guests to check out at 10 am, but once their car is packed, they are welcome to linger on the Estate for the rest of the day.
P.S.
We are very dog-friendly at Boconnoc. You can bring up to two dogs with you. They should be kept on the lead during walks around the gardens and grounds and designated woodland areas where they can be off the lead. Please note that our cottages do not have enclosed gardens.
Take a look at all of the self-catering accommodation at Boconnoc