Ref: LCAA8000 £975,000 5 Porthgwidden, LEASEHOLD Feock, Nr. Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6SG (Plus share of freehold) To be sold for the first time in 20 years A magnificent extensive lateral apartment extending to over 1,600sq.ft. in one of the finest positions on the first floor of a grand Regency mansion in an outstanding setting in 6½ acres of majestic grounds fronting the Fal estuary with slipway to deep water. Fine period detail; high ceilings, shutters, ornate moulded architraves, panelled doors, tall sash windows, superb marble fireplace. Sensational panoramic views spanning the Fal estuary. 2 Ref: LCAA8000 SUMMARY OF ACCOMMODATION Communal hall and staircase. Fine broad reception hall, superb drawing room with balconies, breakfast kitchen, 3 double bedrooms (one with balcony access), bathroom. Outside: about 6½ acres of tranquil communal gardens and grounds gently sloping down to the water’s edge with long direct frontage, slipway and beach. Deep water moorings may be available subject to application to the Harbourmaster. Private squash court and beachside barbecue area. DESCRIPTION 5 Porthgwidden is surely one of the most impressive apartments in this prestigious building as it extends across a wide section of the first floor enjoying numerous large windows and glazed doors opening to balconies facing out across the Carrick Roads. The scale of this three double bedroomed apartment is also important as it stretches to approximately 1,600sq.ft. of opulent accommodation with the main focus being a magnificent drawing room with marble fireplace, woodburning stove and three sets of tall French doors opening to balconies. When our clients acquired the apartment just over 20 years ago they upgraded the sound insulation of the floors at great expense using the services of Scott & Co Historic Building Surveyors. Microbore piping has also been installed to allow for the fitment of a central 3 Ref: LCAA8000 heating system although this has never been deemed necessary. The apartment also benefits from high ceilings and fine period detail. Through the centre of the apartment is a 31’ long very broad hall with library/study area and a huge walk-in store to the end. On the inland side is a kitchen with vast sash window and also off the hall is a period style bathroom. Two of the three generous double bedrooms face the views, with one opening onto a sizeable sit out balcony also approached off the drawing room. The final double bedroom has an en-suite wc and shower cubicle making it ideal for guests. Our clients are offering the property for sale including curtains and fitted carpets as well as white goods found in the kitchen. Much of the contents is available by separate negotiation apart from some personal items. One of the most important aspects of 5 Porthgwidden is its quite outstanding views stretching over the manicured grounds and beach below the property to moored yachts and the sheltered sailing waters of the Carrick Roads (Fal Estuary). The Roseland Peninsula extends across the view, with much of its coastal countryside in the ownership of the National Trust. The outlook then stretches further to Falmouth Bay with the foreground being filled with 4 Ref: LCAA8000 sailing activity throughout the year as this is the last remaining place in Europe where oysters are harvested in the winter by sail power alone. The local sailing clubs enjoy a long season of racing with the spectacle taking place in front of Porthgwidden and of course one can join in the on-water activities from the slipway at the bottom of the grounds. These grounds are some of the most impressive anywhere along the south coast of the United Kingdom as they extend to 6½ acres with formal areas of wall lined lawn bounded by tended beds, vast expanses of open lawn with wild flowering areas and all surrounded by stunning mature trees. The grounds surrounding the apartments were created in the mid-1800’s and were cleverly designed to allow differing views throughout them and numerous more intimate spaces to enjoy. A stream runs through part of the grounds with the bridge over it having recently been restored and there is also a barbecue area atop the small cliff above the beach. This apartment also has a garage, there is adequate parking for the residents and their guests and interestingly the building also has its own squash court. Our clients have enjoyed this wondrous setting as a second home, although many are lived in permanently, and they are selling with no onward chain. HISTORICAL NOTE In his book, ‘Stately Homes in and Around Truro’, Rex Barratt mentions the property, and states that:- Porthgwidden, derived from the Cornish place name of Porthgwyn, believed to mean ‘the white cove’ was built in or around the year 1830 by Edmund Turner, MP for Truro 1837- 1847, who it is reported spent £1,000 on a dinner for the people of Truro on his election! The property was acquired in 1842 by John Philpotts, at one time MP for Gloucester, and enlarged by his son, The Reverend Canon T Philpotts, Vicar of the Parish for 30 years and donor of the South Porch of Truro Cathedral, who occupied the house until his death in 1890. It was then let to various tenants, Bolitho, Spottiswood, Trefusis – and in 1923 became the property of H K Neal, followed in 1935 by Kenneth Holman. 5 Ref: LCAA8000 During the earlier part of its history the Royal Horticultural Show was held in the grounds and distinguished visitors in the past are believed to have included Her Majesty Queen Mary and Sir Edward Elgar. About 50 years ago, the house was imaginatively and skilfully converted to create 8 prestigious apartments, thankfully, however the handsome exterior remained unspoilt by the conversion. LOCATION Porthgwidden is found at the start of Restronguet Point, long regarded as one of the most exclusive desirable waterside locations in Cornwall. This slender, beautiful peninsula is magnificently positioned between the Fal Estuary and Restronguet Creek, accessed by a no-through lane and is home to some of the most prestigious residences in south Cornwall. In an ideal setting between the cathedral city of Truro and the famous Port of Falmouth, Restronguet Point is situated immediately to the south of the unspoilt village of Feock, beside the Carrick Roads (Fal Estuary), regarded widely as some of the finest day sailing waters in the UK. One can of course launch their own smaller vessels from the slipway at the bottom of the grounds and deep water moorings are often available by application to the Harbourmaster. Within walking distance of Porthgwidden is Loe beach where there is overwintering facilities, a café, a sailing school, various vessels for hire and even a gig rowing club. For those interested in racing nearby Restronguet Sailing Club is where a young Ben Ainsley learnt his trade and beside this is Mylor Yacht Harbour where there are further deep water moorings and pontoon berths as well as a boat yard for larger yachts. 6 Ref: LCAA8000 Only 4 miles away, the city of Truro is the main commercial, administrative, legal and retailing centre of Cornwall and offers schooling facilities at junior and secondary levels and there are also excellent private schools. There is a mainline rail link to London Paddington (travelling time about 4½ hours) and Cornwall Airport Newquay provides regular flights to London and to a number of other UK and overseas destinations. There are 18-hole golf courses at Truro, Falmouth and on the nearby Killiow Country Estate. THE ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES (all floor plans and dimensions are approximate) A door opens to the communal hall and elegant staircase rising to a large landing from where a period painted door opens to:- RECEPTION HALL / STUDY – 31’ x 7’6” extending to 8’6”. 9’9” high ceiling with moulded cornice. Three fitted bookcases, broad archways in the hall and through to the lounge/dining room. Superbly detailed wide door architraves. Fitted desk with cupboards and shelving to one end of the room. Door to a walk-in store cupboard (8’6” x 4’9”) and further doors to two of the double bedrooms, the bathroom and breakfast kitchen. DRAWING ROOM – 24’1” x 19’4. 9’8” high ceiling with moulded cornice, three pairs of near full height period glazed doors with shutters and architraves, opening to a Juliet balcony, protruding balcony and a sun terrace. Splendid large marble fireplace with an enamelled stove set onto a matching marble hearth. Recessed book shelving. Door to:- 7 Ref: LCAA8000 BEDROOM 2 – 15’1” x 11’8”. 9’3” high ceiling with moulded cornice. Near full height pair of glazed doors with panelled shutters, opening onto the sun terrace and looking across the Carrick Roads. SUN TERRACE – 16’8” x 8’8”. Recently replaced ornate metal railings, tiled floor. Incredible views over the maintained grounds to the Carrick Roads and beyond. BREAKFAST KITCHEN – 12’5” x 11’6”. 9’9” high ceiling, very large multi pane sash window with panelled shutters overlooking the restored circular slate roofed game larder. Fitted with a light wood effect fronted range of kitchen units under roll edged stone effect and stainless steel worktops with a stainless steel sink and drainer with chrome mixer tap over. White tiled splashback, freestanding appliances included in the sale – washer/dryer, dishwasher, electric cooker and fridge/freezer. Plinth mounted fan heater, concealed extractor over the cooker, cupboard housing the hot water cylinder and two further high level cupboards. Central circular stone topped breakfast island. 8 Ref: LCAA8000 BEDROOM 1 – 13’4” x 12’8”. 9’10” high ceiling, large sash window with panelled shutters, taking in fantastic views down the length of the Carrick Roads to the open sea.