Cornish property Penolva is the latest new addition to the ever-popular St Mawes Retreats portfolio, a sublime collection of exclusive holiday sea view houses in an idyllic beach-side corner of Cornwall. Situated in the heart of the sleepy town of St Mawes, Penolva is steeped in history, and is one of the very few properties located right on the waterfront.
Settled between St Mawes Castle and the well-known Hotel Tresanton, Penolva occupies a much coveted location in St Mawes, one of the best kept secrets of Cornwall. With magnificent sea views straight out from the house onto St Mawes Bay and harbour, drawing the eye out to the glistening sea and green pastures of the beautiful National Trust Carrick headlands and the historic St Anthony’s lighthouse, guests looking out at Penolva will feel like they’re holidaying in an exclusive location in France or Italy.
Built in the early 1960s by a personal friend of the Queen Mother, Dick Wilkins, a great sportsman and respected personality in the City of London, Penolva enjoys a rich history and a royal list of past guests. With a private slipway leading directly down to the seafront, allegedly originally built for the royal family alighting from HMY Britannia, guests can truly walk in the footsteps of the royals.
Penolva’s interiors are beautifully modern, having been recently renovated and decorated under the guidance of its private owners, it boasts an exceptional collection of modern British art. Upstairs, guests can make the most of a master bedroom and three further bedrooms, all commanding magnificent sea views, and with beds which can be made up as doubles or twins. Downstairs, the house enjoys a large open drawing room with a grand piano, a dining room seating up to ten guests, a kitchen complete with its own Aga and separate pantry, and a second living room with Sky television.
