Location
Beloved by generations of residents and visitors, Polzeath is one of Britain’s foremost beach holiday destinations: many would say the best! It has the great combination of a beautiful sandy beach, laid back beach village feel and ideal conditions for learning to surf. The beach itself is enormous at low tide, extending around half a mile in all directions. For swimming, Polzeath is one of the safest beaches along this stretch of coast with its gently shelving sand and seasonal lifeguard cover.
Stepper Point stands sentinel at the far side of the estuary and Pentire Head protects the bay to the north. The southwest coast path passes directly through Polzeath and the headland, managed by the National Trust, provides stunning walking routes open to magnificent ocean and coastal views.
Surf shops, cafés and restaurants, a supermarket, a boutique and art gallery make up the commercial centre of the village. The clifftop Atlantic Bar and Kitchen, great for sunsets, is just a few steps from Rockside.
Description
Rockside stands on the footprint of the original 1920s version, which had a distinctive hexagonal turret. However, in its modern state, completed in 2012, the angled front elevation is the only hint of the former house. Floor to ceiling glazing over two storeys allows an abundance of natural light to the interior and makes the most of glorious, uninterrupted sea views. Constructed of rendered concrete with cladding and a composite slate roof, Rockside is unique in its layout and styling.
Throughout the house repurposed oak features as cladding and furniture. Oak door frames and floors, Delabole slate sills, shelves and pebbled thresholds between wood and slate floors add craftsmanship and character to the modern décor.
Entering from the gated courtyard through a wide bespoke oak door the hall opens to a guest wc with basin, a utility/laundry room and to the extensive open plan kitchen and living space. With an expanse of glass at each end, light floods in. The fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances has a central island and a sink that faces the sea (a distraction from any mundane task). There is a large kitchen table and a dining table in the reception room. The comfortable seating area allows for large sofas. It is flanked by a continuous glazed wall and a wood burner adds cosiness when required. A patio door opens to the generously sized seaward terrace.
Bespoke oak stairs turn to the first floor lit by a double height window and glazed lantern roof, to arrive at a beautifully light reading room and landing. A feature of this floor is the use of high internal windows to distribute light across the three bedrooms and bathrooms. The first double bedroom has a south facing balcony, inbuilt wardrobe and an en suite shower room. The second double bedroom has a very high floor to ceiling window facing south, inbuilt storage and an en suite shower room.
The principal bedroom is stunning, with an elevated view from angled floor to ceiling glazing and a balcony, positioned to catch both the rising and the setting of the sun. Interesting architectural features abound, not least the asymmetric ceiling off which the light bounces at angles. The west facing corner of the room has a wraparound window, perfect for gazing out to sea, though currently that is an office corner, so the distraction, curtesy of the ever-changing ocean, could be a challenge! A wall of inbuilt wardrobes and a stylish en suite bathroom complete this excellent room.
Care for design, materials and craftsmanship throughout the house make this a very special home.
The Perch is a self-contained annexe with a connecting door into the house, but with its own entry via the rear courtyard and the beach facing terrace. A large bedroom with the fabulous view, a fitted kitchen and shower room, make this a perfect weekend retreat.
The Studio is above one of the garages and has its own ground floor entrance into a conveniently arranged fitted kitchen and shower room, and stairs up to the seating area and bedroom under a pitched roof. Velux windows and a porthole to the south aspect make this a naturally bright space, with the bonus of a balcony overlooking the path to Pentire Head.
Both accommodations share the characteristic high standard of décor and fittings as in the main house.
Two garages open onto Clifden Drive with gates into the main house and separately to The Perch and The Studio.
The sea facing front of the house has an extensive lawned garden sloping to the path onto the beach known locally as Baby Bay. A crescent shaped, slate walled terrace cut into the garden has space for entertaining, with a large table, inset barbecue and electric sockets for lighting. There are few better spots on the Cornish coast to enjoy summer sunshine into the evening.
There are two external showers and a storage area for boards, beside the house.
Directions
From the B3314, (Wadebridge to Port Isaac), take the turn to Polzeath and after about a mile take the right fork to New Polzeath. Bishop’s Hill Road leads to a large public car park. Clifden Drive is beside the car park and Rockside is third from the left. There are three parking spaces outside the house.
Wadebridge about 8 miles
Bodmin Parkway about 18 miles
Cornwall Airport Newquay about 20 miles
Truro about 32 miles