Stay the Night: 180° Blue, Porthleven

Andy Lynes finds an idyllic location for a West Country break where great views, surf and food are all within reach

180° Blue catches the sun on its Porthleven cliff top (Mandy Feldon)

The name of this large, newly built detached house is inspired by its fabulous cliff-top location that offers 180-degree views of Porthleven beach, with Penzance in the distance.

The house has direct access to the beach, while Porthleven’s craft shops, galleries and harbour market are a 10-minute stroll away – this is an idyllic location for a Cornish holiday. It is also the ideal base for exploring west Cornwall’s stunning coast, including Marazion and the award-winning Porthcurno beaches.

The property is in a perfect spot for foodies. Porthleven has its own annual food festival in April and the surrounding area has some of the best new restaurants in the county. These include Ben’s Cornish Kitchen in Marazion (01736 719200; benscornishkitchen.com) and former Michelin-starred chef Ben Tunnicliffe at the Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn (01736 363074; tolcarneinn.co.uk).

The rooms

Set over three floors with five bedrooms (three en suite), there is a real sense of space in this contemporary house. The huge ground-floor kitchen-diner with its central island is a joy to cook and eat in. White walls are enhanced by sea-blue woodwork, Scandinavian-style chairs painted red, blue and teal around the wooden table and glassware in all the colours of the rainbow. The adjacent lounge features an enormous L-shaped cobalt-blue sofa that would easily seat 10 and faces the 64-inch flatscreen television. Lounge and kitchen doors fold back and lead out on to the copious decked area with a hot tub and seating space.

The master bedroom on the top floor features a seven-foot emperor bed, but arguments will be had over the smaller double on the first floor that has the best sea views and French doors out on to a balcony. Mod-cons include five independent Sky boxes, Wi-Fi, iPod dock and a small games room with Wii console.

Out and about

If you’re a keen and confident surfer, then look no further than Porthleven beach. But if you’re not quite ready to ride such powerful waves then Global Boarders, Marazion (01736 711289; globalboarders.com) offers a one-day surf experience for £85; it claims to be the most sustainable surf company in the UK.

For something a little more sedate, take a stroll along the South West Coast Path or around the woodlands of Penrose Estate in nearby Helston (01326 561407; nationaltrust.org.uk/penrose) that includes Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall.

Food and drink

The welcome hamper at the house includes your choice of a meal from Cudna Kitchen, chocolate brownies and a chocolate cake from N&N Cake Design, as well as larder items. The owners can also arrange for former Jamie Oliver chef Benedict Quinn to cook at the house.

Porthleven is well served by restaurants, cafés and pubs. The stylish and informal Kota Kai (01326 574411; kotakai.co.uk) has views over the harbour. It serves an eclectic menu of Asian and European dishes made with local produce.

The retro Seadrift Café (01326 558733; seadriftporthleven.co.uk) is a great spot for brunch and also serves a wide range of local seafood. Nauti But Ice (01326 573747) on the harbour serves locally made organic Roskilly’s ice cream from the Lizard peninsula and homemade cakes.

The Harbour Inn (01326 573876; harbourinnporthleven.co.uk) has St Austell Brewery beers on tap.

There are two large supermarkets in nearby Helston and The Corner Deli in Porthleven Village (01326 565554; thecornerdeli.co.uk) stocks Cornish beer, wine and cheese; it also serves Origin coffee that’s roasted in Helston. Farm produce and meat can be ordered from Chyvarloe Farm, Helston (01326 560821; chyvarloefarm.co.uk).

It’s also worth making the half-hour drive to St Just to visit the 100-year-old Vivian Olds butcher’s (01736 788520; vivianolds.co.uk), which sells high-quality organic beef, pork and lamb from its own farm.

The essentials

180° Blue, Loe Bar Road, Porthleven, Cornwall TR13 9ES (180blue.co.uk). Rental starts at £1,395 per week; sleeps 10. No pets allowed.