5 bedroom detached house for sale

This exquisite five-bedroom Victorian house, set in extensive gardens of around 1.75 acres, occupies a quiet yet central position in the charming town of St Columb on the north Cornwall coastline, minutes form the Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth. Designed in the late 19th century by renowned Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail, Treventon has been lovingly restored to create a modernised interior replete with hand-crafted materials and textiles, soft colouring, and a wonderful quality of natural light that streams into every level. The main house extends to 4,515 sq ft, with the more recent additions of a music studio, sauna and one-bedroom annexe nestled in the wooded gardens.

Setting the Scene 

Well known for both his residential and municipal buildings across Cornwall, Silvanus Trevail was commissioned by the Winton family in the late 19th century to design their primary residence. Several other of his buildings still exist in the town, including the former Lloyds Bank and St Columb school, but his most famous landmark is the Headland Hotel which stands proud above Fistral beach in Newquay. Following his association with John Passmore Edwards, Trevail worked on several libraries and institutes and later became Mayor of Truro and, nationally, president of the architects' professional body, the Society of Architects.

Treventon House is set centrally in St Columb yet has a sense of privacy in the seclusion of its large plot. The main entrance is set off Union Hill behind a gated entrance, with little to suggest the scale or character concealed behind the pale grey brick of the Victorian façade.

The Grand Tour 

Stone and granite form a porch, which leads into a beautiful entrance hall. Dark charcoal defines this voluminous vestibule, with the original solid oak floorboards running underfoot. A glimpse of the 10-ft high ceilings beyond hints at period character set to unfold across the interior.

The ground-floor living spaces form the heart of the home, with an easy sense of flow between. Each room is defined by its unique character, artful application of colour and tactile materiality; all play in perfect tune with the well-retained architectural details throughout.

Two reception rooms lie on the easterly side of the ground-floor plan. In the emerald green dining room, a soft light filters through deep bay windows that frame verdant views across the lawns and gardens. An open fireplace forms a central focal point, and a curved doorway - complete with decorative amber stained glass - leads out to a loggia at the far end.

Setting the stage for entertaining, the adjacent drawing room is of impressive proportions, with huge bay windows that ensure constant communication with the gardens. An open fireplace here makes the room a cosy retreat during the colder months.

On the westerly side of the plan is breakfast room, an immediately warm and welcoming circulation space with butter-coloured joinery, slate flooring and a log burner. It connects effortlessly with the kitchen, a sophisticated room that showcases some of the home's most impressive craftsmanship. Bespoke joinery in mustard yellow and forest green adds a cottage charm and neatly houses the appliances. Set into the work surface, a slate sink echoes the original slate underfoot. A gas range is set in the original fireplace surround and there is a huge walk-in pantry to one side.

At the front of the house lies a study with a large sash window complete with shutters. Flush bookshelves have been neatly set in the recesses. There is also a shower room at ground level, with a walk-in wet room and exposed stonework walls.

Built to typically classical proportions, the returning Victorian staircase is lit by a pair of spectacular stained-glass arched windows. Five beautifully appointed double bedrooms are organised across the first floor, each awash with original features including solid oak floorboards, decorative ceiling mouldings and fireplaces. Four rooms have bay windows and pleasant views across the gardens, while one has particularly special dual-aspect fenestration. Two bathrooms serve this level: the family bathroom has a cast-concrete sink, freestanding bathtub and a large walk-in shower. The second also has both a shower and bathtub.

The Great Outdoors

The gardens of around 1.75 acres are an idyllic combination of dense woodland, swathes of lawn and deep borders richly planted with perennials, mature shrubs and flowers that provide interest and colour year-round. Winding paths lead to strategically placed seating and eating areas, from which to enjoy the subtle glow of the house as the sun sets.

A series of outbuildings provide additional space for entertaining, relaxing and creating. A romantic Victorian loggia runs almost the length of the southerly aspect, merging the inside and out - the perfect spot for lazy weekend lunches beneath the shelter of the timber canopy. From here, there is access to the original billiards room, a spectacular oak-panelled room with great versatility of use, lending well to games, dancing, yoga, theatre, or hosting candlelit suppers.

A one-bedroom annexe lies in a secluded pocket of the grounds, a quiet, restful hideaway set at a comfortable distance from the house. The interior makes use of soothing colours and is decorated with a similarly sensitive approach to material finishes, but with a distinctly modern feel. Sliding glass doors open onto the annexe's own terrace.

Nestled in the wooded boughs of the gardens is a timber-framed music studio with a mezzanine sleeping area. There is also a sauna, a hugely productive vegetable garden, a chicken coop and another large outbuilding for storage.

Out and About

St Columb Major, referred to locally as St Columb, is a small town around six miles west of Newquay. Ideally positioned for easy access to north Cornwall, the town lies minutes from Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth - both of which offer beautiful big beaches, excellent surfing and magnificent coastal walks along the South West Coast Path.

St Columb sits between Newquay and Wadebridge and is named after the sixth-century Saint Columba of Cornwall. On Shrove Tuesday, and for the 11 days subsequent, the town participates in the tradition of ‘hurling’, a sport that involves two teams moving a silver ball to different goals across the parish. The town has plenty of handy amenities, including independent shops, butchers, a branch of Marks and Spencer and The Cornish Company.

Located on north Cornwall’s Atlantic cliffs, Newquay is only a 12-minute drive from St Columb and is home to 12 impressive beaches. The location provides access to the surrounding countryside and miles of beaches, as well as the walking and cycling routes along the South West Coast Path. There are plenty of independent cafés, restaurants and retailers within easy reach, such as The Good Lyfe, Pavillion, Basket and The Two Clomes, Fore Street Cafe, Box and Barber and MMW.

The sought-after town of Padstow can be reached in around 20 minutes by car. It provides an excellent selection of fresh seafood restaurants, cafés and bars, including Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No6 and Prawn on the Lawn. The Pig Hotel at Harlyn Bay is also nearby, and Coombeshead Farm has an excellent menu defined by its nose-to-tail approach to eating.

The geodesic biome domes at the Eden Project, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in the late nineties, are around a 25-minute drive inland. St Ives is reachable within an hour, and is a great choice for fresh seafood, from beach shack to white tablecloth. Here, the delights of Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden can also be found.

There are plenty of excellent school options in the area including the local St Columb Major Academy, Newquay Tretherras, Brannel School, and Wadebridge School. The award-winning Truro School for Girls and highly regarded Truro School and Truro College are also easily reachable, with student busses running directly from St Columb.

Connections to Cornwall have vastly improved over recent years, with the A30 dual carriageway just north of Truro giving fast access to the M5 motorway at Exeter. Newquay’s train station connects to Plymouth, with direct trains to London in just over three hours. Cornwall Airport is a seven-minute drive away and provides regular shuttle flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and many other seasonal European destinations.

Council Tax Band: F