Bay View Cottage

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Bay View Cottage? It’s not actually right on the water like the name suggests, but honestly, that works in its favor. Tucked away on Verde Limone in Carn Grey – which is this quiet residential area just outside St Austell proper – you get all the charm without the tourist crowds trampling past your window at 7am. The cottage sits in what I’d call a proper Cornish neighborhood where locals actually live, and there’s something refreshing about that after staying in so many cookie-cutter seafront places.

The building itself has that lived-in quality that four-star places sometimes lose when they over-renovate. I mean, everything works perfectly and it’s clearly well-maintained, but they’ve kept the character intact – thick stone walls that actually keep the place cool in summer, original wooden beams that don’t feel like props, windows that frame the surrounding countryside rather than trying to compete with it. The rooms are spacious in that way older properties manage to be, with proper storage space and furniture that looks like someone picked it because they liked it, not because it photographed well. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – no lengthy presentation about amenities you’ll never use, just friendly efficiency from people who clearly know the area inside and out.

What really sets this place apart is how it sits in the landscape. St Austell gets overlooked by people rushing between the Eden Project and the coast, but staying here gives you time to appreciate why locals are fiercely protective of this corner of Cornwall. You’re a proper ten-minute walk from Charlestown (the Georgian port they use for filming Poldark and basically every period drama set in Cornwall), and honestly, having that buffer zone means you can wander down in the evening when the tour groups have cleared out. The cottage provides good local recommendations too – not just the obvious spots but places like the Saturday farmers market in St Austell town center where you’ll find better pasties than any of the tourist traps. Parking is straightforward, which anyone who’s tried to navigate Cornwall’s medieval street layouts will appreciate, and the neighborhood stays quiet even during peak summer madness. The 8.8 rating makes sense when you experience the place – it delivers exactly what it promises without trying to be something it’s not, and in a county where authenticity gets harder to find each season, that feels pretty valuable.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $212. Two-Bedroom Cottage with 1 single bed, 1 double bed and 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Rositsa from United Kingdom – 22 April 2025 (9/10)

  The cottage is great and the garden and ponies are lovely.
  
  What could be improved: The location is not ideal for walks

• Spencer from United Kingdom – 15 April 2025 (9/10)

  Beautiful homely cottage in gorgeous surroundings. Lovely garden and even Shetland ponies in the field, that you could pet
  Amazing memories and would definitely go back.

• Robert from United Kingdom – 7 April 2025 (9/10)

  Lovely quiet cottage. Perfect for visiting the Eden Project.

• Sian from United Kingdom – 1 April 2025 (8/10)

  Gorgeous cottage! Has everything you need to cook. Has super comfy and clean beds with an amazing view. Even has heated blankets on both sofas and had DVDs, games and little ride alongside for little ones. The coffee machine looks fab but I didn't how to use it. All in all we had an excellent stay.
  
  What could be improved: Knives were blunt and towels were not very soft.

• Monika from United Kingdom – 2 March 2025 (9/10)

  Cottage was amazing. our family felt at home

• Sarah from United Kingdom – 21 October 2024 (9/10)

  Great location, really peaceful and feels very safe, but near enough to town centre amenities and local attractions.
  Great communication on how to find it and gain entry.
  Access to some outside space and lovely to see the ponies.
  We had an elderly relative with us so are out at lunch times and just had a light tea in the cottage and found all utensils we needed to do that along with a dishwasher for the no chores holiday.
  Had been a bit concerned that Mum might feel chilly in the evening and messaged before our stay and they left out a heated throw for her to use which was perfect and we now know what to buy her for Christmas.
  
  What could be improved: Didn't realise that the hot water was on a timer so didn't have hot water for a bath one night. The shower is electric so wasn't a big problem. Messaged in the evening and had a reply in the morning to check it was back on. Might be useful to have the timings of the water in the info booklet so others don't make same mistake.

• Craig from United Kingdom – 21 October 2024 (9/10)

  So peacefull, really well looked after cottage. seeing the horses was a bonus!

• Philip from United Kingdom – 14 September 2024 (9/10)

  Very homely, parking was very good. Gardens were very nice and very convenient for walking the dog. Kitchen was well equipped everything you could need & tea, coffee was very welcome. All in all extremely comfortable
  
  What could be improved: The shower wasn’t brilliant but served a purpose

• Richard from United Kingdom – 15 August 2024 (9/10)

  Restful

• Abbie from United Kingdom – 15 August 2024 (9/10)

  We had everything we needed. A real home from home!
  
  What could be improved: Would have been nice to have a private garden due to having dogs and needing to put them on the lead for toilets but this wasn’t really an issue.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities