Built about 100 years ago and on the edge of a long wooded valley, all of which is National Trust land which contains St. Piran’s Well, St. Nectan’s Kieve, his spring, his washing place and a number of other wild and beautiful wooded spots, St. Yse Cottage has, over the last four years, been beautifully renovated and fitted out.
Backed by a steep hillside, facing south, and with terraces that go down the valley through bluebell woods to the stream, with gardens, play areas and sun traps. It also has clear views down Rocky Valley to the cliffs and sea near Tintagel. It is 1500 metres, as the crow flies (but further by car), from the very beautiful and sandy beach at Bossinney.
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The house has three double bedrooms and an extra small room has a ‘make up’ bed, which can take a child. There is a large triple glazed sun room, slate floors, a modern kitchen, good bathrooms, three wood burning stoves, under floor heating and the interior was fitted out by a designer who works on both sides of the Atlantic.
Just past the house is St. Nectan's Kieve, a famous waterfall, located in Trevillet valley which is well wooded in the upper part, but it opens into the ocean by a narrow embouchure between two stupendous rocky cliffs, through which a chasm would seem to have been rent by some mighty convulsion of nature. The overhanging cliffs, the grey rocks emerging from a partial covering of gorse, heath and ivy, the scattered boulders and the stony bed of the rivulet which rushes into the sea over a precipice, have justly earned for this gorge the appellation of “the rocky valley.” The wild and romantic character of the scene and the solemn solitude, no sound being heard save the rushing of the waters and the cry of a sea gull, cannot easily be conceived.
About a mile and a half above the mouth of this valley, in a wooded glen, is a grand waterfall some forty or fifty feet in height. The cascade is, however, twice broken in its descent, which heightens its picturesque appearance. Rushing through a narrow fissure at the top of the cliff the water falls a depth of about twelve feet into a natural bason, where its fall seems for a moment to be interrupted, but springing from this with great fury it falls a depth of about twenty feet into another rocky bason, formed in process of time by action of the water. This is locally called a “keeve,” hence the name of the place. From this keeve it emerges through a natural granite archway and falls a depth of about ten feet into the pool below.
The picturesque beauty of the spot is enhanced by the overhanging and trailing bushes and plants, which grow in the fissures of the rocks and by judicious planting.
This could be a comfortable retreat or a good family holiday base. It is so close to so many famous facilities but yet seems remote and hidden. It does, however, have a fairly long drive, which is not tarmacked and is NOT suitable for particularly low-slung cars.
Tintagel is famous for its cliffs, landscape, castle, facilities, romance and beauty. St. Yse Cottage is charming, simply and beautifully fitted out, comfortable, warm and both a wonderful retreat and a great holiday.