A room with a view at Retreat To Fowey
Nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the south coast of Cornwall and lined with picturesque medieval and Georgian buildings, Fowey is a harbourside town steeped in rich maritime history and a magnet for sailors and holidaymakers.
Family-run Retreat to Fowey owns holiday homes on either side of the town: two are apartments in a beautifully refurbished double-fronted Victorian property, Claremont House, on Hanson Drive. They’re a short walk from Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle, built during the 1530s to protect Fowey’s harbour from the French.
The apartments’ Juliet balconies boast front row seats onto the River Fowey and dazzling views across the estuary towards Polruan and Pont Pill.
Retreat to Fowey also owns a two-bedroomed townhouse and separate apartment in the painstakingly-restored Old Station Master’s House complex opposite Caffa Mill on the northern edge of the town.
Less than 100 metres from the water’s edge, the iconic 19th Century building, once part of Fowey Railway Station, had fallen into disrepair after decades of neglect. It’s been sensitively dismantled and rebuilt, retaining and enhancing many of its original features.
Meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout Retreat’s properties; the interiors cleverly balance classic and contemporary furnishings and accessories, giving centre stage to breathtaking estuary views.
They’re spacious, light and airy, a marriage of laid back New England chic and understated luxury. Furnished with comfy sofas, Lloyd Loom chairs, and decorated with a neutral Farrow & Ball palette, the properties are a magnificent backdrop for our range of hand cast Cornish Beds.
“We found out about the Cornish Bed Company via a carpet retailer in Wales, and couldn’t believe their foundry and showroom was just around the corner from us in Par,” said Retreat to Fowey’s co-owner, Fiona Randall, who oversaw the interior design of all the properties.
“We had a look at the website and it was impressive. I loved the look of it - real quality, style and range.
“They were very nice guys to deal with, so friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. The fact that we could bespoke a couple of the beds as well was terrific.”
Each of Retreat to Fowey’s bedrooms is furnished with a Cornish Bed, including two top of the range Becketts, one finished in polished nickel and the other in antique brass, two bespoke 3ft 6” handcast pewter Mauds, four single Mauds, and a kingsize Stratford.
They’re each finished with luxury mattresses and toppers, made by The Cornish Bed Company’s parent company, Naturalmat, at its workshop on the banks of the River Exe in Devon. The mattresses are handcrafted using entirely natural and organic materials.
“I didn’t want the beds all to be exactly the same. I wanted to add a distinctive style to each apartment and Cornish Bed’s range allowed us to do that,” continued Mrs Randall.
“I have to admit that when the beds were first delivered and dressed, the look of them just blew us away! They have contributed hugely to the overall look and helped guide us in choosing the accompanying furniture and fittings to complement them.
“If you’re going to offer holiday lets, the most important thing is to make sure you’re giving your guests a really good night’s sleep.
“You can’t believe the difference in the quality of Cornish Beds when you compare then to what we’ve had in the past.
“They’re way ahead in terms of the way they’re made, and it’s local people making them in the heart of Cornwall.
“People save all year to go on holiday for a couple of weeks, so you have to pay close attention to detail and make everything right to give your guests the best time possible. That’s what we've been able to do in Fowey.”