Lower Trevivian | Self-catering holiday cottage in North Cornwall from Aspects Holidays

Last month, we headed to Cornwall to stay at Lower Trevivian - a beautiful Grade ll listed traditional farmstead set in a tranquil and untouched area on the northern edge of Bodmin Moor.

 Ad | Contains affiliate links

Lower Trevivian is one of the hundreds of properties that Aspects Holidays manage. Started in 1989, Aspects Holidays is made up of a small and friendly team, all local to Cornwall and knowing the area very well. Whether you want to stay near Falmouth and explore its rich maritime heritage or you want to enjoy a short break in the bustling coastal town of St Ives or whether you are looking for a peaceful self catering holiday in South Cornwall, Aspects Holidays can help you with everything.

We were looking to stay in North Cornwall and the team at Aspects Holidays shortlisted and found us just the right property.

Lower Trevivian | First impressions

As we drove down the narrow countryside lanes to the entrance of Lower Trevivian, we knew that this would be a tranquil retreat and we weren’t wrong. 

Lower Trevivian is set in unspoilt Cornish countryside and combines old world charm and character with all the modern amenities one would need for a cosy stay. The beautiful holiday home looked like the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and get closer to nature.

There was a key safe at the entrance of the property, the code to which had been provided to us via email. We retrieved the keys and let ourselves in. It was warm and cosy inside with the central heating on and the house ready for our arrival.

The property was stunning and very well presented with local Delabole slate floors, local granite and stone features adding to the atmosphere.

There was a thoughtful welcome pack with locally sourced products like Cornish tea, Cornish clotted cream shortbread, Cornish strawberry jam, Kalkar Cornish Coffee Spirit and more waiting for us! A nice touch!

The accommodation at Lower Trevivian

Lower Trevivian was a mix of the traditional and modern – elegant, exposed ceiling beams and stone features complemented the furniture and fittings to create a living space that was welcoming and cosy.

On the lower floor were the sitting room, the dining room, the kitchen and a utility room. The sitting room was spacious and well furnished with the wood burner being the key focus.

The dining room had a 6-seater dining table and a comfy armchair beside the wood burner.

The kitchen was fantastic; stocked with all sorts of utensils and dishes for any kind of cuisine. It had all the utilities needed - electric oven and gas hob, fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher and all the must-have baking tools. Tea towels, dish cloths, washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets were also provided. This was one of the best-stocked kitchens I have seen in a holiday home in the recent times.

We had brought our own food supplies, so I rustled up a quick meal for the evening. But there are a number of eateries nearby like the Rising Sun Inn and Archers Arms (both in Launceston), the Horseshoe Inn (in Camelford) and the Tintagel Brewer (in Tintagel).

Lower Trevivian is a 3-bed property and all the three bedrooms are on the first floor. 

The master bedroom was wonderfully spacious with a super king size bed. It had an en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath with shower attachment, a walk-in shower, W.C and basin.

The second bedroom had zip and link beds (twin or king) and a walk-in wardrobe.

The third bedroom featured twin beds. There is also a family shower room on the first floor.

The outdoor area at the property features a shared grass lawn and a walled paved terrace with table and four chairs. The lawn is shared with Lower Trevivian Cottage, the adjoining 2-bed property. Both these properties can be booked together if you are travelling in a large group.

Overall, we loved the property. It was well equipped, clean and comfortable and in an idyllic location. But what we loved the most was the fact that Lower Trevivian had tranquillity stamped all over it. Aside from the occasional farm vehicle passing by or the dog from the neighbouring barn home making his presence felt, there was no other noise. It was calm and peaceful.

Exploring North Cornwall

If you are looking to explore the north coast of Cornwall, then Lower Trevivian makes for a great base. We found it ideally located to explore all the places we wanted to on our north Cornish break.

Many of North Cornwall's popular villages and attractions are within a 30-miute drive from Lower Trevivian. Here are some of our recommendations.

Tintagel Castle: Set on Cornwall's rugged north coast, the ruins of Tintagel Castle are managed by English Heritage and have been open to tourists since the middle of 19th century.

Tintagel has been occupied since at least the late Roman period becoming a thriving Dark Age settlement and port. It was Geoffrey of Monmouth who in the 12th century named it as the place where the legendary Arthur was conceived. And since then the connection has stayed.

There's lots of walking to do; steps both up and down but the views from the headland are worth it. 

There are information boards dotted around the ruins explaining about the structures that were there and the associated history. Once you are done exploring the ruins, you can relax on the lovely beach below the castle or head to the Beach Café to enjoy tasty local dishes.

St Nectans Glen: A visit to Tintagel Castle can be combined with a trip to St Nectan’s Glen which is beautiful ancient woodland located in Trethevy. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985, the site has a woodland walk and a waterfall to visit.

Rocky Valley Walk: Another little gem that you can club with your visit to Tintagel Castle. Rocky Valley Walk is an easy walk that offers spectacular views as you follow a stream through a rocky gorge-like valley to the sea. 

Boscastle: Boscastle is a beautiful fishing village that is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a picturesque harbour and a number of walking routes along stunning stretches of coast and countryside. There is also a Museum of Witchcraft to visit and for shoppers, there is the Boscastle Pottery Shop that sells unique pottery.

Camel Trail: For those of you who enjoy cycling, the Camel Trail is a great countryside trail. The trail is around 18 miles along a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. Bikes are available for hire at all the 4 locations. The trail is largely traffic-free and smooth surfaced and is suitable for walkers, wheel chair users and horse-riders too.

Port Issac: One more option for those who enjoy visiting charming little fishing villages is Port Issac. Located on the north Cornwall coast, this picturesque fishing village will lead you on a historical journey. Some of the houses near the harbour date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and pilchard fishery began here before the 16th century! The village has a total of around 90 Grade II Listed building. You might recognise some of them from the ITV television series Doc Martin.

You can easily spend a good few hours in the village making your way through the narrow streets, watching the activity on the harbour side, going on a sightseeing boat trip or enjoying the beautiful scenery on one of the coastal walks.

Bodmin Moor: One of Cornwall's designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bodmin Moor is wild and rugged. The landscape is dominated by granite tors with Brown Willy and Rough Tor being the highest tors. If you are looking for a change from the coastal and beach walks, then head to the moor. It has some brilliant walks and is only a short drive away from Lower Trevivian.

Recommended | In neighbouring Devon, there is Foggintor Quarry which is worth a visit.

Booking details

Aspects Holidays have hundreds of self-catering cottages across Cornwall and the list is only growing. Many of their properties are dog-friendly and many are accessible too. They have local offices across the county and are always on hand to give any local advice you might need. 

A week’s stay in the Lower Trevivian, which sleeps six, ranges from £593 - £1560 dependant on the season. You can book the property in advance for next year or you can make a last minute booking in which case full payment must be made at the time of booking. The availability of properties is updated continually on Aspects Holidays' website, so once you have had a look around their website and selected a property and dates of your choice it is very simple and quick to book online. If you wish to discuss any specific requirements with them, you can give Aspects Holidays a call on 01736 754242.
For more information, or to book, visit www.aspects-holidays.co.uk

Disclosure: We were invited to stay at Lower Trevivian in exchange for sharing our experience on the blog. All opinions and photographs are our own unless otherwise stated.