Seeking a luxury pad to chill out with your gal pals? Find your perfect hen house with Wed's guide to Cornwall's most fabulous retreats...

So you’re not an ‘L’ plate or flashing veil kind of girl. And pink cowgirl gear really isn’t your ideal get-up. You’re seeking something different from the archetypal stagger round your local nightclub for your hen do – a sophisticated fusion of fun, pampering and plenty of fine food and wine in sumptuous surrounds.



The secluded shores and sheltered valleys of Cornwall are home to some sensational properties, ideal for kicking back in style with your gaggle of girls. Stock up on food, wine and champers – and enjoy a dreamy few days of indulgence and relaxation. We’ve scoured the county to bring you a sneak peek of some favourites.

For lazy days and sublime views…
Venton Farmhouse
Tucked away at the end of a long track, Venton Farmhouse offers seclusion, tranquility and one of the most achingly beautiful locations in Cornwall. The house and enclosed gardens look out across the spectacular vistas of Mount’s Bay, with St Michael’s Mount at its heart, while a private path leads down to the rocky beach below. Complete with comfy and cosy interiors that ooze a kick-off-your-heels and chill vibe, the hubbub of the modern world feels a million miles away.



BY DAY Spend a snoozy day relaxing in the farmhouse; pound the coastal path and explore the nooks and crannies of the south coast; try your hand at kayaking, sailing or windsurfing. Nose around the galleries and shops in St Ives.



BY NIGHT Cook up a feast in the roomy kitchen with views across the bay and snuggle up in the cosy sitting room with a few bottles of vino and a DVD. Tuck into a barbecue in the garden, watching the sunset as you listen to the murmur of the tide. Enjoy fine food with a divine view at the nearby Mount Haven Hotel.



SLEEPS Ten people


photos Kirstin Prisk

St Aubyn Estates
01736 710507 www.staubynestates.co.uk

For modern luxuries and wave-licked shores…
Cragford
This seductive retreat is perched on a cliff top on the very tip of west Cornwall. The elevated position comes with breathtakingly beautiful views across the beaches of Gwenver and Sennen, across the restless breakers of the Atlantic and, on a clear day, the Isles of Scilly. The star of our bridal fashion feature ‘Starry Eyed’, the property is rich in character, a series of half-moon windows, fine artwork and a show-stopping room with a maritime mural enhance the bewitching beauty of the property, while sumptuous beds, deluxe bathrooms and a sauna ensure the experience is utterly luxurious.



BY DAY Spend lazy days on the silken sands of Gwenver; take a surfing lesson at Sennen beach; go for a long walk along the coastal path. Book a mobile beauty therapist for a pamper session; hit the sauna and wile away the hours on a sun lounger in the garden.



BY NIGHT Enjoy a performance at the spectacular cliff-side Minack Theatre; max out the home cinema system armed with popcorn and bubbly; enjoy an al fresco dinner cooked by a private chef as the sun slips below the Atlantic.



SLEEPS Ten people



Cornish Cribs
01736 754587 www.cornishcribs.com

For charming character and waterside pursuits…
A Sea Captain’s Manor
Nestled on the shores of the Fal estuary in the pretty village of Flushing, this secluded property boasts a dreamy waterside location. Originally built in the 1700s, the house was moved brick by brick from its previous location in East Sussex in 1919 when its owner fell in love with a Falmouth sea captain.


photo Unique Home Stays

The landscaped terraced lawns and fountain garden spill onto the shores of the estuary; there is private access to the beach. Inside, the stirring Tudor character meets modern comforts to create an ambient and spacious setting for kicking back and relaxing with your hens.



BY DAY Take a dip in the outdoor pool; catch some rays on the beach; challenge your pals to a game of croquet or tennis on the lawn. Go sailing from Mylor Yacht Harbour; take a walk along the headland to Mylor and visit the castles of St Mawes and Pendennis.



BY NIGHT Feast on a banquet in the grand dining room and tuck into a barbecue on the terrace; take a stroll to the local pub. Slip into your glad rags, hop on the water taxi and sample the restaurants and bars of Falmouth.

SLEEPS Ten people

Unique Home Stays
01637 881942 www.seacaptainsmanor.uniquehomestays.com

For pamper sessions and deluxe surrounds…
Woodland Homes at The Cornwall Spa and Estate
Cornwall’s hip new hotel, The Cornwall, has plenty to entice hens with a taste for contemporary comforts and pampering. Nestled in the wooded slopes of the Estate, the Woodland Rooms offer sleek, contemporary accommodation in a beautiful rural location. The private balconies boast views of the 43-acre Estate’s parkland and across the beauty of the Pentewan Valley beyond. The Woodland Homes offer a similarly modish self-catering alternative on the fringes of the Estate.

The room are light, airy and stylishly designed and come complete with all mod cons, But the real draw? The Cornwall’s fabulous new spa is a matter of footsteps away.



BY DAY Hit the spa and unwind in the infinity pool, steam room and sauna; let the therapist knead your wedding stresses away with a relaxation treatment. Take a road trip around the nearby coastline: stop off at the beach and visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Enjoy a cream tea and views across the valley on The Parkland Terrace.



BY NIGHT Dine in style at The Cornwall’s sophisticated eatery, The Arboretum Restaurant; sup bubbly on your private balcony; sample The Cornwall’s very own cocktail, Kernewek-Eva, in the plush interiors of the White House.



SLEEPS Each of the Woodland Rooms sleeps two people; the Woodland Homes are available as two or three bedroom properties.

The Cornwall Spa and Estate
01726 874050 www.thecornwall.com

Words Rebecca Matthews

Copyright WED Magazine 2010