A Break for Freedom at Fentafriddle Story & Photography: Unique Home Stays

Perched high atop a Cornish cliff, the sight of this 17th-century run down farmhouse with its clutch of dilapidated barns would have impelled many of us to walk right on past when on the quest for our dream home.

he property hadn’t been on the market since 1912, which meant it had been passed T through several generations and was in a really poor state. The farmhouse had plastic windows, no central heating or running water, and the stone barns had earth floors and were falling down. One of the barns (now called ‘The Sail Loft’) was almost completely buried by debris and so had to be revealed by employing the help of a digger.

ABOVE: Enjoy the RIGHT: For a wedding venue at stunning vistas from the Frentafriddle enjoy panoramic outside decking area. views of the sea as a superb natural backdrop from the wedding tepees.

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The farmstead didn’t even have planning consent so it Surrey in 2004. The interesting Cornish name comes ABOVE: The first sitting area is perfect for was a real gamble for potential buyers. However, with from an exciting discovery they had during the relaxation and to escape its 50 acres of land, panoramic coastal views reaching course of the renovations. James explains; “During the hubbub. from to , and unsurpassable some excavating work, we suddenly found lots of location, James and Lucy Scott saw the potential and water gushing up and realised we had our very snapped up what they quite rightly saw as an amazing own spring. We had proper bore holes built and opportunity to create their dream home. implemented a filtration system so now we have Fentafriddle (which means ‘gushing water’ in pure, delicious spring water running on tap! Cornish) is squirrelled away at the end of a gravel It’s regularly tested by South West Water Scientific driveway ensuring the tranquil peace the Scotts Services and they’ve said it’s the clearest water craved when making the move from their native they’ve ever seen”. BELOW: Renovated using local stone, Fentafriddle remains in keeping with the local area.

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ABOVE: While away an afternoon thumbing BELOW: The plush ground floor through old and interesting books. bedroom with adjoining wet room.

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ABOVE: Spread out on the RIGHT: Sink into the Kilim huge L-shaped sofas and sofa by the wood-burner in take in the ocean views in the the first sitting area. spacious roundhouse lounge.

Speaking about how they gradually restored the 300-year old property in a way that can only be described as a labour of love, James describes, ‘I think a lot of our friends thought we were batty and I have to say we do feel a bit batty having lived with bulldozers for so long.’ He goes on, ‘we were about to buy a sensible house nearby, when an estate agent rang and said he had found something much more interesting. He warned us that the house was not up to much, but the location was breathtaking. How right he was. We bought the property for the location.’

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Lucy Scott is a retired theatrical wardrobe consultant whilst her husband James (who once worked in property and insurance) now runs the holiday letting business they created as a result of renovating these beautiful old barns. They both agree that ‘the pace of life in offers an unparalleled quality of life’ and they say that even though buying a run-down farmhouse with three dilapidated barns has meant they have been living with builders ever since, they wouldn’t have changed a thing. James and Lucy had their hearts set on making the largest barn their home, and maintaining the character of the property was always top of the couple’s agenda. The Cornish oak, local Delabole slate and natural stone flooring all combine to give the accommodation a distinctly period cottage-feel. The couple were keen to use local builders, stonemasons and craftsmen who had an understanding of vernacular architecture and materials they would be using. Most of the building materials were recycled, such as the slate for the window sills, the lintels and the stone for the garden walls which Lucy and James collected from the surrounding fields, often in terrible weather conditions. ‘We were determined to recycle as much as possible’ says James. ‘All the stone was already here lying about, so we bought a stone-cutting machine to cut it all to the required size.’ Being sympathetic to the environment whilst remaining as ecologically sound as possible was the recurring theme when the couple set to thinking about utility provision. Fentafriddle benefits from its own water supply, whilst a rainwater trough ensures that there is plenty of water for thirsty plants once the Cornish summertime arrives. These herculean efforts to keep the house in keeping with the natural surroundings have certainly paid off and Fentafriddle was recently awarded the prestigious five stars by the tourist board.

ABOVE: The kitchen is equipped with everything you need to host lavish dinner parties.

LEFT: The well-equipped kitchen makes for a delightful social cooking experience. Enjoy the ocean views whilst you’re standing at the kitchen sink.

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“James is the building brain and I’m the interiors,” admits Lucy, who has been responsible for everything from the wall colours to the curtain fabric in the barn. Warm, off-white hues dominate the walls and floral designs adorn bedspreads and cushion covers, but there is nothing formulaic about the décor. “We’ve tried to keep cohesion, yet make each room individual,” www.thimagazine.com February 2011 | Traditional Homes & Interiors 17 A Break for Freedom | Homes In View

ABOVE: The master bedroom has the added charm of windowed pigeon nesting boxes looking out to sea and a French roll-top bath from which you can enjoy the view to Tintagel. www.thimagazine.com February 2011 | Traditional Homes & Interiors 19 The woodburner in the first sitting area.

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James and Lucy were delighted when news came through that they had not only got planning permission for the main barn, but also to restore the round room where the old granite mill wheel used to be powered – probably by a donkey. ‘Luckily the old foundations and a low stone wall still marked the outline of this circular shape,’ says Lucy. ‘It means we now enjoy the bonus of a round summer drawing room, as well as a winter snug laid out around a wood burning stove. Our daughter Harriet, who is a landscape gardener, inspired us to attach an iron balcony to encircle this room. It has become the star turn – a really unusual architectural feature and the circular balcony is a great place to sit and watch the sunrise.’ “James is the building brain and I’m the interiors,” admits Lucy, who has been responsible for everything from the wall colours to the curtain fabric in the barn. Warm, off-white hues dominate the walls and floral designs adorn bedspreads and cushion covers, but there is nothing formulaic about the décor. “We’ve tried to keep cohesion, yet make each room individual,” explains Lucy. It was important to use local suppliers when furnishing the properties as Lucy explains; ‘I like a combination of shabby chic and restful homeliness – quite conventional really. Some of the furniture was inherited, such as the kilim-covered sofa, so I had a useful starting point. James bought the leather chairs on eBay and I found the sandy coloured, L-shaped seating unit in Ikea. Other smart accessories, like the storm lanterns, came from my daughter Harriet’s shop in London. Best of all, I discovered a great antiques shop in , selling old furniture from eastern Europe painted soft, chalky colours.’ Quirky touches include the claw-foot bath that, instead of being relegated to the bathroom, has found a place in the main bedroom where you can bathe whilst enjoying a clear view of Tintagel. And the surprises don’t end there. Although traditional cottage-chic is the predominant theme, Fentafriddle is littered with mod-cons such as under floor heating, Bose digital music system, high-tech lighting, and powerful showers in the spacious wet rooms. It is this seamless fusion of cottage chic and impressive yet unimposing modernity which lure guest after stretches to the sea and down to the beach, and the ABOVE: One of the guest to these three exclusive self-catering cottages hilltop position ensures that sundowners at the end luxurious en-suite bathrooms. on the North Coast of Cornwall. of a Cornish summer’s day are simply magical. The Cornish coast usually enjoys a much warmer Now that the hard work is completed the Scotts RIGHT: One of the super-plush and stylish climate than the rest of the UK, so once the building are sharing their good fortune. The barns are super-king-sized bedrooms renovations were underway, James and Lucy revelled available for holiday rental with Unique Home with French Toile de Jouy in the opportunity to create a beautiful coastal Stays, a company that specialises in letting some linen and lavish en-suite. garden full of unusual plants. However, the salty air of the most beautiful properties in the UK and and gusty sea breezes mean that some species simply abroad. UHS‘s aim is to afford access to properties won’t flourish, so the Scotts enlisted the help of their that clients simply can’t find elsewhere, in homes landscape designer daughter Harriet. James recalls, that are as individualistic as the owners to which ‘Her expert knowledge was a godsend, we all had they belong. great fun designing a dream garden together and Harriet created a colourful backdrop for the barns For all bookings, enquiries or press requests, please that has a wild beauty and year-round appeal”. The contact UHS as below: 360 degree rural and coastal views coupled with the W: www.fentafriddle.uniquehomestays.com simply stunning gardens all add to the beauty of the T: 01637 881942 Fentafriddle trio of unique homes. The lush farmland E: [email protected]

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