Kernock Cottages, Cornwall
Kernock House, Pillaton, Saltash, Cornwall
Kernock Cottages are four self catering holiday cottages in the Lynher Valley, Cornwall. Kernock is situated halfway between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor - two areas of outstanding natural beauty - on a secluded 25-acre private estate. The Cottages are beautifully converted farm buildings and offer 5 star comforts while retaining many original features sleeping 6, 4 or 2 people plus room for cots if required. The owners Beth and Hugh are parents themselves and understand completely the need to ease the burden of excessive holiday packing by providing everything you could possibly need if travelling with a baby, toddler or young children.
The Holiday Cottages
The cottages are all detached and all bedrooms are en-suite. Relaxing is easy with your own private garden and terrace areas, complete with built-in barbeque and hardwood furniture. Inside they are very well equipped with hardwood floors, oak and slate lintels, a mixture of antique and modern furniture and art, so that staying at home is a pleasure. You will find lots of thoughtful touches throughout the cottages including a welcome pack on arrival. In the bathroom there are White Company bath robes, big bath sheets and a selection of organic Aromatherapy Associates Spa range toiletries. The comfortable beds have lovely goose down duvets and pillows with pure Egyptian cotton covers. WiFi Broadband & iPod docks are also in all cottages. The kitchens, too, are well equipped, from dishwashers and washing machine/dryers to hand-blenders and cake tins, with a collection of recipe books to inspire creativity. There is also a picnic hamper in each cottage.
Kernock cottages are baby friendly cottages
For babies a variety of equipment can be requested completely free of charge including cots, baby duvets, sterilisers, high chairs, booster seat, bouncy chair, monitor, Bumbo, baby bath, bath seat, bed rail, playpen and stairgates; which helpfully frees up precious boot space. Each cottage has a hand blender (useful for preparing weaning foods) and a selection of matching plastic cups, bowls and plates suitable for small children. Babysitting can also be arranged on request.
And for the children...
In the grounds there is a 14-foot trampoline with safety net, which is up between Easter and October half term. The adventure playground has two towers, a clatterbridge, staircase (with short treads for small legs), commando nets, swings, a climbing wall, and a wave slide!
As well as individual gardens and lawn areas in each cottage, there is a large flat grassy area next to the adventure playground (known as the Football Field), which is great for ball games and running around. There are also a couple of wooded areas - perfect for hide-and-seek and making dens! For older children, why not bring their tent and let them camp out overnight in the garden for a night or two?
A stock of toys are availaible to borrow for small children such as lego, blocks, talking toys, musical drum and books. For those glorious days on the beach you are welcome to borrow from the stash of buckets, spades and fishing nets for rockpool adventures and sandcastle fun!
Food and Self Catering
Callington and Saltash have regular farmers markets where you can buy local produce. If you want to avoid shopping, Tesco will deliver to the cottages and there is also a local company which delivers locally-sourced food (including ready meals), in case this may be of interest - their full shopping list is on their website www.food4myholiday.com.
Family Days Out and About
Nearby there is plenty to do - St Mellion International Golf & Spa is less than 2 miles away, while the spectacular Cotehele estate is less than 4 miles. Ideally situated for walkers, Kernock Cottages are midway between Bodmin and Dartmoor, and also have beautiful local walks in the Tamar and Lynher valleys. Canoeing, riding and fishing are available locally and there are nearby facilities for windsurfing and sailing. Cultural activities are available in Plymouth, which boasts the National Marine Aquarium, many features of historical interest, and a good theatre. Local activities for children include the donkey sanctuary, the monkey sanctuary, and Trethorne adventure park. The beach is only 10 miles away - spectacular Whitsand Bay for long sandy stretches, or Seaton and Downderry for fantastic rockpooling. Close to both coasts and the Eden Project.