South Coast Villages

"Sea and Gate" by baralbion

Time to explore some new places. I thought I'd look at some houses in some of the villages on or relatively near the South Coast. I also thought I might consider more modern houses... and what may be more reasonable costs. Though, like everyone, I'm concerned about the possibility of a house price crash and as we have yet to put our house on the market let alone attempt to sell it these may still be in the dream category...

Gorran Churchtown

The agent H Tiddy describes this as:

Gorran Churchtown is one of three habitations in the parish of St Goran (the parish name being spelt with only one 'r'), the others being Gorran Haven, a fishing village now much expanded, and Gorran High Lanes, a small hamlet. Gorran Churchtown is very peaceful and attractive with a village shop/post office, a church, pub, garage/shop and primary school. About one mile away is the harbour and sandy beach at Gorran Haven, and access to miles of stunning cliff walks. Gorran Haven also has further facilities including a doctor's surgery, public house/hotel and more shops. The famous 'Lost Gardens of Heligan' are approximately 2 miles away and the working fishing village of Mevagissey is approximately 4 miles. St Austell is approximately 9 miles away, The Eden Project is approximately 12 miles distant and the Cathedral City of Truro is approximately 16 miles. There is a regular bus service to and from the village, and it also has its own community bus service.

I like the idea of being near the lost gardens and the Eden project. I imagine myself taking photographs all year round in these most photogenic of places.

Modern 4 bedroom house in Church Gorran for £369,950. From the details this looks like a wonderfully straightforward house with two bathrooms upstairs (1 of them ensuite). The kitchen is described as a "breakfast kitchen" and is next to the separate dining room. If I were to view this house I'd be considering knocking those together to make a much larger room. It also has a garage and maybe countryside views. The description on rightmove doesn't mention them but there are two different photos of views included. Rather annoyingly this house doesn't tell you where it is on a map. Also the agent has a domain name - www.htiddy.co.uk - but this just goes to rightmove so no more information is available.

Also on with this agent is a new build in Veryan. Which they describe as:

Veryan and Veryan Green comprise a most pleasant village famous for its 'Round Houses' in the beautiful Roseland Peninsula of South Cornwall, and is a true village community with a post office/mini-market, primary school, Church, an excellent pub and a Sports and Social club (including indoor bowls). It is also a conservation area and is approximately 2 miles from the unspoiled Pendower and Carne beaches. There are many lovely country walks in and around the village, and the Cornish Coastal Path is also within easy reach. The Cathedral City of Truro and administrative centre for Cornwall is 12 miles away with excellent shopping facilities. The King Harry Ferry, approximately 4 miles, provides a short cut to Falmouth and leads to the far west. The sailing centre of St Mawes is within 8 miles.

The house is 4 bedroomed and on at £450,000. This one does have a map and looks to be 1-2 miles from the coast. One feature of the property is "no water bills" so it must have its own supply. Although its advertised as 4 bedrooms it only has 2 upstairs which means the other two are more flexible - on the floorplans the smallest is labeled as a study. There is a shower room downstairs so these 2 bedrooms would be fine as guest rooms. From the photos its has a rather strange looking conservatory and a depressingly small garden.

One of the "round houses" mentioned above is currently for sale - OIEO £495,000. It looks quaint.

Tregony is described by agent Alastair Shaw as:

The village of Tregony offers a range of facilities including Post Office, general stores, Pub, Primary and Secondary Schools, Doctors surgery, Church, bus service and is central to the surrounding town and city.

They have their own website which seems to be mostly concerned with the mess that dog owners aren't clearing up.

On at £349,950 is a four bedroom house with 4 bedrooms upstairs, 2 of them look a reasonable size. Downstairs is what looks like a very decent sized kitchen/dining room thus allowing the room marked as "dining room" to be a study as it has frenchwindows out onto the garden I think we might both want that one! It has also a garage and something described as an "outhouse" - maybe a shed?

H Tiddy also have a place on in Tregony and they describe the village as:

Tregony is known as the gateway to the Roseland Peninsula. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with much National Trust property, and a wealth of beaches, coastal features, fishing villages, lovely countryside and sailing facilities. Tregony was once a thriving port on the River Fal before it was silted up. To-day it is flourishing again with many interesting old buildings, Church, good senior and junior schools, doctor's surgery, Public House and a range of shops and facilities along its wide main street, including a mini-market, post office, restaurant and dentist. The Cathedral City of Truro provides all major amenities some 8 miles to the west, while 9 miles to the east is the town of St Austell, and 10 miles to the south is the sailing centre of St Mawes.

The house is a split level detached house with 4 bedrooms and is on at £345,000
- it has views and a better sized garden than some. Its tremendous disadvantage, if the floorplans are correct, is that the bathroom is on a different level from the bedrooms although it does look as though there is a loo on their same floor.

I like their descriptions of villages but I find it odd that an estate agent can possible consider this to be a Full Description:

The accommodation comprises: Entrance Area • Upper Hallway • Living Room • Dining Room • Bathroom • Kitchen / Breakfast Room • Lower Hallway • 4 Bedrooms • Cloakroom • Utility Room.
Outside: Garage • Parking • Colourful well-stocked Gardens to the front and rear.

At least there is a floorplan with dimensions... but there is no mention of materials or plumbing for dishwashers etc. H Tiddy if you are reading this please put a bit more info on!

Still in Tregony in the beguilingly named Froglane, is a 3 bedroom house on at £288,000. The house has a rather pleasing layout though the rooms look a little small. There is no garage but there is parking via "an unmade lane".

And for £285,000 a three bedroom detached with a garage, The Old Blacksmith Shop. This one has full written details and no floorplans!