Bishops Quay
Holiday House on the Helford River

Viewed from the river, the holiday home is to the left - the owners live on the right

Self-catering holiday accommodation for up to 6 in a
romantic waterfront house set on the beautiful Helford River

Low Season £590 to High Season £1660 per week

2008 wks available, Oct, Nov, Dec.
2008 - Weeks beginning Saturday October 25th (Half term) @ £1090 Dates from November 8th @ £620 per week, New Year available from 27th December @£1550 for the week. Dates to suit, minimum stay 5 days.
Do phone us on 01326 221 297 for more information

LOCATION

Bishops Quay is a small, privately owned quay and harbour, from where two fishing boats work. The house is settled on the bank of one of Helford River's beautiful, unspoilt and picturesque creeks. The main part of the house is a converted stone barn, over three hundred years old, solid and fine looking. Bishops Quay is to be found well away from traffic at the end of a quarter-mile lane. With only four houses in this small hamlet, it is truly quiet and private to the owners and the guests only.

Bishops Quay offers an ideal base for garden visitors, walkers, anglers, birdwatchers, sailing enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those who enjoy an adventure.

The Helford has a wonderful variety of river beaches and woodland paths, all well worth exploring. 'Frenchman's Creek', made famous by Daphne du Maurier's novel, is only two miles down the river, while Tremayne Quay and woods, now owned by the National Trust, are about a mile away by path or water.

The bird life that can be observed from Bishops Quay is quite fascinating. Varieties living contentedly here include Shelduck, Curlew, Lapwing, Oyster Catcher, Kingfisher, Cormorant and Swans with their Cygnets, Little Egret and Heron.

Bishops Quay keeps the sun late into the afternoon and early evening, so you can take tea, drinks and supper on the balcony during the long summer evenings.

Local Area

Among the interesting places to visit locally are the Trelowarren Estate with bistro, craft centre, pottery and woodland walks through their 1,000 acre estate, Flambards Theme Park in Helston and the Goonhilly Earth Station; all are within fifteen minutes drive from Bishops Quay. Many people also enjoy visiting the famous local gardens of Trebah, Glendurgan, Carwinion and Trelissick, or making a trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.

In the nearby village of Mawgan there is a Spar shop (open 8 until 8) that is happy to deliver orders in advance of, or during your visit here. Delicious organic vegetables, fruit, and home cooking, together with fish caught by the Kirby family can be found at the Gear Farm shop, just up the hill. Also, a local cook can deliver ready prepared meals to order.

Helston, the nearest town, has a market and a large Tesco supermarket.

For golf, nearby Mullion has a links course and there is a short course of par three holes at Helston.

You may have heard of Gunwalloe, Poldhu, Kynance Cove and Coverack beaches, on the Lizard peninsula; these are all within a twenty-minute drive from BQ.

To the north are Truro and Falmouth, with an abundance of villages, coves and attractive beaches which easily reached from Bishops Quay.

You will have unlimited use of a sturdy wooden rowing boat, nine foot in length and suitable for up to four people, while you stay here. Boating is possible for up to four hours either side of the high water. Temporary membership of the nearby Port Navas Yacht Club is arranged for guests. Please note that from the end of October until Easter, the boats are unavailable, as they are put away and refitted during this time.

Details of the House

The house is fully self-contained, centrally heated, extensively equipped to the highest standard and is comfortably furnished, including many books and paintings. Every room has a peaceful river view. This holiday home is a unique place to stay, with marvelous panorama of fields, woods and water, and many reminders of local and family history to intrigue you.

Bishops Quay can sleep a maximum of six guests in the three bedrooms. A high chair and a wooden cot are available (with a safety mattress), but you would need to bring cot linen for your baby.

The romantic double bedroom has windows that look down, up and across the river, also into the garden. It is furnished with a wooden king-size bed, a chest of drawers, wardrobe, large dressing table, bedside tables and lamps, radiator and a heater for extra cold days. The bay window is a wonderful place to sit watching the water and the birds.

Next door to the double bedroom is the cosy bunk bed room. The bunks are locally made and are 3' wide and 6' long. They are solid, with thick, comfortable mattresses. This room is ideal for young people and has a view of both the garden and the creek. The bunk is furnished with books, lamps, cupboards and drawers.

The bathroom is also on this floor. It is small, but has everything you could need and is and is warm and sunny.

The twin bedded room is on the lower floor, by the living room. The beds are three feet wide singles, which are most comfortable, with bedside lamps and tables. There is a painted wardrobe, and the view is of the quay and the creek.

Booking

Tariff 2007

Low Season £590 to High Season £1580 Per week

If you wish to make a booking or would like any further information, please telephone, so that I can advise you of the current availability. We really do look forward to seeing you here soon!

The living room is 26' long and leads through a leaded glass door to a wooden balcony, with seating, overlooking the quay and river. This room is pleasantly furnished with a relaxing sofa, easy chairs, family portraits and paintings. The living room has an open fireplace, supplied with logs, which you will find ready to light.

The living room is also equipped with a TV, video, DVD player, a CD/radio/tape player, and a telephone - wireless broadband is also provided. The windows have exquisite views of the river and the private garden that is beside the house. This flower filled 'lady's garden' has a gate onto the quay, and the small lawn has garden furniture, together with a portable barbecue. The garden is private, and especially beautiful in the spring and early summer. You can also sit on the garden wall and enjoy the view of the river.

For dining, there is a large, locally made pine table that can seat up to ten people. There is also a smaller writing table and a wooden ship's chest of drawers full of games and curios. A large selection of toys is stored in another ships chest, to occupy the children. Thick, comfortable carpets throughout the house add to the relaxing atmosphere. Throughout the house you will find many books to browse through.

The warm and appealing kitchen has cheerful red tiled worktops, three bar stools for casual meals, a pine dresser, shelves and cupboards containing everything you might need. A cool larder, with tiled shelves and extra fridge is an ideal drinks cupboard. There is crockery and glassware etc for ten, so that you can entertain friends. A dishwasher, calor gas cooker with grill, a microwave oven/ grill, toaster, kettle and fridge are all there. Just outside the back door there is a laundry room with a Hotpoint Aquarius automatic washing machine, an electric tumble drier and a freezer for your use. All kitchen linen and / household requirements are in place.

The Kirby family has owned Bishops Quay for over fifty years and it makes a very special setting for an easy, happy and memorable holiday which has much to offer both adults and children alike. Children will appreciate the 'Swallows and Amazons' atmosphere and the freedom to potter around in the various boats.

Please note: because this is a quay front house, it is not suitable for young, non-swimming children.