The China Loft ….. is a two-bedroom, two bathroom flat on the first floor of a rebuilt China clay drying house. This is believed to be the first conversion of its type in Cornwall, and the building, Pochin House, makes a striking landmark at Carclaze, less than two miles from The Eden Project, and within a few miles of the historic National Trust houses Lanhydrock and Trerice.
Although it is virtually new, the flat has character, with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of wonderful sweeping sea views across St Austell Bay, from the lihthouse on the Gribben Head to Black Head. It also comes with its own parking space.
The bedrooms are carpeted in honey beige, the master has an en-suite shower room, and there is a separate, family bathroom.
The through living/dining room/kitchen has an oak style laminate floor with underfloor heating. Cream kitchen cupboards house a dishwasher, tall fridge-freezer, washer-drier, microwave oven, a double oven and a ceramic hob.
A circular table to seat four extends into an oval. Pots, pans, plates and utensils, glasses, an ironing board and iron are provided. The living area has two large comfy modern black leather sofas, a large TV, DVD and CD players.
The China Loft has quick, easy access to both North and South coasts. The lovely Georgian harbour of Charlestown, with its tall ships, character pubs, and beach is two miles to the south. Spectacular walks abound along the south west coastal path, and there are lovely beaches on the north coast, which is renowned for surfing. Par Sands, about three miles east is great for families. Hidden coves like Polridmouth, near Fowey, or Lansallos, near Looe, are only accessible on foot.
The A30 is about six miles to the north of the Loft, so it is well-placed to explore the whole of Cornwall, from St Ives and Penzance, and the lovely gardens like Trebah and Glendurgan, near the Helford River, to Bude in the North-east. Other attractions within two miles include The Eden Project, China Clay Museum, Pine Lodge Gardens and Tregrehan Gardens. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near the pretty fishing town of Mevagissey are about 6 miles away, Trewithen Gardens at Probus, is 8 miles. Don’t miss lovely Fowey, 7 miles away, it has 18 eateries and a choice of summer boat trips, including one to pretty Polperro. Wild Bodmin Moor is 10 miles distant. Our guests have enjoyed Gorran Haven, and Caerhayes on the Roseland Peninsula.
A Spa shop, Post Office, and butcher’s are about three minutes’ walk from the flat, and a pub, The William Cookworthy, is seven minutes' walk away, with Tesco’s supermarket about a mile’s drive (on the A390). The Kings Head at Luxulyan, about two miles' drive, offers good pub food (there's a lovely woodland walk here, too, ask at the pub), the Llawnroc Hotel at Gorran Haven, has a garden with sea views, and it’s worth heading to Padstow and Rick Stein’s chippy (in the car park), or splashing out in his restaurants or deli. The Britannia Inn, a couple of miles towards Par, has a good reputation, and The Rashleigh Inn, on the beach at Polkerris, is a lovely place to dine before watching the sun set beyond the charming little harbour.