Colan: sleepy hamlet (fine church, scattered cottages) deep in hedgerow lanes 3 miles inland from Newquay. Elizabethan Trerice House (Nat.Trust), 4 miles. The little Lappa Valley steam railway, 5 miles.St Austell (Eden Project), 12 miles.

... in Colan, an early 17th cent. Grade II listed farmhouse known as a barton which means ‘best of the land’. It has 11 acres and is still surrounded by farmland, with woods to explore hiding the ruins of an old manor house.

Little Barton is half the farmhouse, approached through an old lychgate (occupied by swallows) which at one time led to the 11th cent. Norman church, but now leads into your large, mostly lawned walled garden (picnic table) with wisteria arbour. Inside, attractively done with lovely fabrics and surprisingly spacious. Beware some low lintels! French windows to living room with oak floor/rugs, woodburner; 2 steps down to smart fitted kitchen/dining room (dishwasher, washer-drier, fridge-freezer) with lovely flagstone floor (originally the old dairy), granite worktops and butler sink. Stairs (stairgate) up to two attractive bedrooms a double and another zip-linked double; smart shower-room (suite). No smoking. Much recommended cottage.