Stylish Boatshed with Sea Views Private Parking

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first saw “boatshed” in the name – I mean, it sounds like you’d be sleeping next to old fishing nets and rusty anchors, right? But this place on Church Street completely changed my mind about what a converted boatshed could be. The moment you walk in, you realize someone put serious thought into making this work as a proper retreat, not just a quirky gimmick.

The sea views are the real deal here – and I’m not talking about those “partial water glimpses” you get at most coastal places. From the main living area, you’re looking straight out over Gorran Haven’s little harbor, and honestly, it’s one of those views that makes you stop whatever you’re doing just to stare. The whole setup feels authentically maritime without being cheesy about it. The owners kept enough of the original character (you can still see some of the old boat storage infrastructure) while adding proper insulation, a decent kitchen, and – thank god – a bathroom that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

What really sold me on this place, though, is how well it works for the area. Gorran Haven isn’t one of those bustling Cornwall tourist traps – it’s still got that proper fishing village vibe where locals actually live and work. The private parking is clutch because, let me tell you, trying to find a spot during summer in any of these coastal villages is basically a blood sport. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the beach, and if you head down toward the harbor wall early morning, you’ll often see the fishing boats heading out. There’s something pretty magical about having your coffee while watching that. The cottage is positioned just right too – close enough to hear the waves when it’s quiet, but the village sits in this little protected cove so you don’t get hammered by wind like you would on the exposed clifftops. I stayed during a particularly blustery October week and slept perfectly fine.

You know what impressed me most? The practical stuff actually works. The heating keeps up with Cornwall’s damp chill, the WiFi doesn’t cut out every ten minutes, and there’s proper storage space (shocking how many holiday rentals forget about that). The kitchen’s small but well-equipped – I managed to cook several decent meals without feeling like I was playing Tetris with the cookware. And honestly, for a 4-star place, the attention to detail shows. Fresh flowers when I arrived, quality linens, even decent coffee in the welcome basket instead of those sad instant packets most places leave.

If you’re looking for nightlife and restaurants within stumbling distance, this probably isn’t your spot – Gorran Haven has one pub and a little cafe, both perfectly fine but not exactly buzzing. But if you want to properly disconnect while still being within striking distance of places like St. Austell or Mevagissey (both about fifteen minutes by car), this hits the sweet spot. The 9.5 rating makes sense once you’ve been there – it’s not trying to be everything to everyone, but what it does, it does really well.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $99. Holiday Home with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• John from United Kingdom – 31 March 2025 (9/10)

  Loved the location. It is a charming little place in a gorgeous village. I didn’t like the doors as I had some trouble with them, but this is minor. This is a great place to stay.

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

  Amazing location with a much needed parking space right outside the door!! The view from the patio was lovely, being able to eat breakfast with a peaceful sea view was delightful! The property is well equipped – washing machine and even a dishwasher! Very well stocked kitchen, plenty of mugs, plates and choice of glassware. A decent shower too! Cannot fault the location, Gorran Haven is perfect for a peaceful retreat.
  Great communication with host too!

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Facilities