On the Rocks

Helford, Cornwall
Self-catering
+44 (0)7843 057999
Visit owner's website

From
£398 - £1002
per night
From
£2784 - £7011
per week

Right on the coast path - a smart retreat with views and a small private beach near Helford for sailors, kayakers & wild swimmers

Bed

11 beds

Bedroom

6 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 12

Pets welcome

£398 - £1002 per night

£2784 - £7011 per week

The Experience

Excitement rises as you meander down the long, narrow, winding lane to the creek below, and the sweet shingle beach of Gillan Harbour. The setting is pure Daphne du Maurier.

This lofty, restyled 1900s house lifts the spirits with its light and its creek-and-sea views. Swing in the hammocks, swim in the river, enjoy the wildlife as you wallow in the jacuzzi. With three bedrooms up and three down, the place is for a party of 12… two tellies, two dishwashers, an electric Aga, and lounging opportunities galore. On warm days, doors open from dining room to terrace. On wild nights, throw a log on the fire.

Don boots, cross the creek at low tide and set off for Helford’s pubs – there are three. Or lose yourself in the jungle-like valley gardens of Glendurgan (NT), 45 minutes away, that run down to the Helford river and the hamlet of Durgan. No dogs there, but no matter: the coast path runs right past your door.

On the Rocks - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Gazing across the creek to the hamlet of St Anthony, and the glorious sea views beyond
  • Finding a place that sailors, hikers, kayakers and wild swimmers will adore
  • The spaciousness of the house and its immaculate decor
On the Rocks - Gallery

You should know

  • You can’t drive to the front door; instead you walk the last 100 yards
  • The nearest shop is at St Keverne, 3 miles, and the nearest pub is at Manaccan, 8 mins by car, or a 40-minute walk
  • One dog is allowed per stay

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £398
Weekly price
from £2784
Damage deposit
£500
1 House for 12
From £39811 beds6 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 4pm
Check out
By 10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. 4 nights on weekdays. 3 nights at weekends. 3 nights in high season. Children over 2 welcome.
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Dogs

£40 per dog per stay

Reviews

We have now stayed at On the Rocks three times and have just booked our fourth visit. It is a fantastic house in a fantastic location; I wish it was mine! The owner is always very helpful which makes everything very smooth.

Carol, East Sussex

We enjoyed a very relaxing few days in this gloriously located house with views up and down the creek. The house was exceptionally comfortable and well equipped.

Christoff and Deborah

We have just booked for our fourth year at On The Rocks. What a fabulous house! We take three generations of the family and dogs. There are amazing views from every window, lots of opportunities to watch the wildlife and it’s right on the coast path for walking. You can swim in the sea, take your boat to moor at the boatyard across the water. The house has everything you need: Luxury bed linen, lovely bathrooms and a kitchen with everything you need. Highly recommend, it’s a glorious place.

Joanna

I have been pining for the house and the creek ever since I left - a slice of heaven on this earth. Incredible to have everything you want to do in Cornwall from boating to swimming to walking to wildlife spotting (a seal came to say hi one day!) literally on the doorstep. The house is comfortable and there's a view to die for from almost every room. The roof terrace for a morning cup of tea was a particular highlight. The sun shone for our stay and we thought - Caribbean eat your heart out... but I imagine even in the English cloud and grey it would still be stunning.

Richard

I was blown away by the views and the proximity to the water. I can't imagine a better place to stay if you enjoy swimming or boating or just looking out over the tranquil waters of the creek and river.

Naomi, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

The setting is a dream, on the coastal path with St Anthony on the other side of the creek a 7-minute stroll. Here you hire kayaks, sailing craft and traditional motor boats. Stock up at the village stores in St Keverne, 3 miles; for organic veg & Cornish pasties, head for Gear Farm, 7 miles. Further treats await at Mawgan Stores: local lobsters & cheeses.

Local points of interest from Joanna Hudson

  • Opposite On the Rocks is the small hamlet of St Anthony where the well established Sailaway St. Anthony offers a fleet of boats for hire including kayaks, Lasers, Toppers, Windfarers, Drascombe Longboats and pretty, traditional motorboats.
  • Since the property is on the South-West Coastal Path, a large variety of walks can be found enabling the visitor to walk to Helford, Manaccan or Porthallow within the hour to take advantage of the pubs and cafes located here such as The Shipwrights Arms, Holy Mackerel or Fat Apples Cafe.
  • Bird lovers can enjoy watching the many birds that live on the creek such as the cormorant, egret, heron, oyster catcher, curlew and, if you are lucky, the elusive kingfisher.
  • The odd seal is spotted from time to time in the creek and shoals of dophins can be seen further out to sea
  • Guests can visit the Helford River by motor boat and explore the numerous beaches and creeks for a picnic or a sundowner. Favoured spots include Frenchman’s Creek after which Daphne Du Maurier’s book about a love affair between a French pirate and an English lady is named.
  • Helford hosts a small number of good pubs, shops and three beautiful gardens including the National Trust owned Glendurgan Gardens. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary can be found upriver in Gweek.

Introducing

Joanna Hudson

The owners live in Sussex but the property is run by a housekeeping service, with a friendly house manager living close by.