Review of Roundhouse Barn Holidays, Cornwall, England

>> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: Roundhouse Barn Holidays

Roundhouse Barn Holidays is a 5* B&B and set of luxury self-catering cottages, converted from 17th century barns, in the wilds of the Cornish countryside...

The accommodationThe beautifully landscaped patio
Roundhouse Barn Holidays comprises of three self-catering one-bedroom cottages (beautifully converted from 17th century barns) and two B&B rooms sat right out in the wilds of the Cornish countryside. Each of the three cottages, the Carthouse, the Dairy and Cockle Cottage, is both spacious and cosy, combining top-end luxury with a distinctly homely feel. You'll find uniquely lavish bathrooms, ultra-modern kitchens and gadgets galore, from iPod docks to flat-screen televisions. Each cottage also has a terrace and BBQ, overlooking the well-landscaped gardens. The B&B rooms are equally impressive; ours boasted an impossibly gigantic bed, walk-in eco-shower and mini fridge filled with complimentary local juices and bottled water.

While luxury abounds, it is the warmest of welcomes offered to guests that helps Roundhouse Barn stand out as a top Cornish accommodation. No sooner had we arrived than owners Barbara and Mark invited us into the dining room to enjoy a Cornish cream tea. Mark had baked our scones that morning, and they were served up with local clotted cream and jam.

The B&B rooms offer plenty of light and luxuryThe activities
Cornwall is an ideal destination for walkers, and the Roseland Peninsula is home to some particularly spectacular routes. Everything from casual ambles to full-day hikes are accessible almost at your doorstep, just a short distance up Roundhouse Barns' driveway. Also seek out the Cornwall Coastal Path to experience the rugged beauty of the landscape. The area is also great for cyclists, offering everything from quiet lanes to dramatic coastal tracks and, of course, the Camel Trail, which winds through the Cornish countryside along a disused railway track. The nearest place to hire a bike is Bissoe Cycle Hire in Truro (Adult bikes start from £10 per day).

Also, just a short drive away are the Lost Gardens of Heligan, an award-winning garden restoration that offers up more than 200 acres of stunning flora and fauna to explore. The famous Eden Project is also easily within driving distance. There are also plenty of beaches in the area, including beautiful Pendower. For a more adventurous day out, the Loe Beach Watersports Centre offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and power-boating. If you fancy sea-kayaking, try St Mawes Sit-on Kayaks. There's also the chance to spot dolphins and other species with Orca Sea Safaris in Falmouth.

The food
In terms of the breakfast on offer for B&B guests, 90% of the ingredients are locally-sourced, even those on the impressive specials board. The eggs come from a farm just down the road, while the sausage and bacon are prepared not much further afield. The fish is all sourced from Curgurrell farm, the Boddington's jam and marmalade comes from Mevagissey and the Rodda's clotted cream from Scorrier. You'll also find Tregothnan tea on sale - the only English-grown tea in the UK.

A lot of what Barbara and Mark don't source locally they grow on their own allotment and greenhouse. Depending on the season you'll spot, amongst others, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, raspberries, red currants and rhubarb. Self-catering guests are invited to help themselves, as long as they much in with a bit of weeding. What's more, Barbara and Mark bake deliciously fresh muffins and scones and even offer self-catering guests the chance to buy three separate locally-sourced goodie boxes to be ready for when they arrive, ranging from the 'Breakfast Basics' to the comprehensive 'Cornish Feast'.

Self-catering guests can also arrange to have food delivered to their barns. Given 48 hours notice, Wing of St Mawes can arrange freshly caught fish and seafood, the Little Cornish Curry Company offer up delicious meals and the Cornish Food Market also deliver. If you're looking to eat out in the local area, we visited the Rising Sun pub in nearby St Mawes. They serve up good pub grub, particularly the fish and chips, all within a very cosy pub atmosphere.

Roundhouse Barns' full Cornish breakfast. Photo: Tom Watts

What makes Roundhouse Barns green
It's easy to see why Roundhouse Barns has been awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme. On top of having numerous recycling bins, each self-catering barn has a composting crock for food waste. This waste will then be put to good use as fertiliser on the allotment. All their water is privately sourced from their own borehole, and is UV filtered before it reaches the barns. The water is also heated using four solar thermal panels, while energy-efficient oil-fired burners keep every barn toasty warm.

Barbara and Mark have also worked hard on the small details; from energy-saving lightbulbs, to A-rate appliances, to displayingThe solar thermal panels heat the water. Photo: Tom Watts the works of local Truro-based artist Rachel Mia-Allen in the B&B guest rooms. On top of that, all of the toiletries are ethically-sourced, while self-catering guests are provided with Cornish Trevano organic bath oils and soaps. There are even tips on how to have a greener holiday dotted around the rooms for you to read at your leisure.

How to get there
Escaping to the Cornish countryside only has one drawback - it isn't very easy to get here any other way than by car. That said, you can still get a taxi after catching a train to either Truro or St Austell, plus Barbara and Mark also provide a wealth of information on how to get around once you arrive. As well as being both walker and cyclist friendly, there's also a lot of information on the Fal Mussel card - a local Oyster card equivalent offering discounted transport and entry to local attractions. You'll also find plenty of information on Enterprise Boats and Fal River Links - two great ways to enjoy the calm waters of the estuary. If you're worried about your footprint, you can even carbon-offset via the website.

Top tip
If you're a B&B guest, Barbara and Mark's full Cornish breakfast is a must - it includes hog's pudding, a local Cornish delicacy. Take the time to explore the countryside, wander in any direction and you're likely to come across a walking route. After building up an appetite, head down to the Rising Sun in St Mawes for fish and chips.

Verdict
This is the ultimate 'relax and unwind' destination. Miles away from even the hint of a busy road, the green fields seem to stretch on forever in all directions. The accommodation may feature some truly luxurious interiors, but it is also the warm, homely atmosphere (and delicious home-cooked food) that no doubt keeps guests coming back to Roundhouse Barns.

>> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: Roundhouse Barn Holidays

Watch the boats sail past at the nearby beach. Photo: Tom Watts