England

The Rosevine, Cornwall

Last updated 8th June 2017

Why go?

Located by the sea on the picturesque Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, The Rosevine likes to describe itself not so much as a hotel but a home away from home (albeit a very stylish, better looking and all together less manic home!) This is the place to go to get away from it all, indulge yourself and spend some quality time together as a family.

Owners Tim and Hazel Brocklebank have their hearts and souls invested in this place after taking on the huge restoration job in 2008. And the love and attention to detail, which is clearly evident in the house itself, is reflected in the treatment of their guests too. Everything is done to make families feel welcome. Children have free run of the house – they aren’t afraid ofmess at The Rosevine – they simply ask that you tidy up once you’re finished. 

Activities

Head for the beach: The most brilliant draw to the Rosevine has got to be what feels like your own private beach. Turn right out of the garden gate, potter down to the end of the lane and you will find yourself looking out over a breathtaking view of Porthcurnick Beach. Kids will bolt onto the sand where they can enjoy exploring the rocks pools and splashing in the waves. 

Attractions: Within easy driving distance are several great family-friendly attractions and beautiful Cornish towns including the charming St Mawes from where you can catch the King Harry Ferry to Falmouth and visit the National Maritime Museum. Alternatively take a fishing trip to catch your own dinner or simply stay and explore the muddle of independent shops, cafés and St Mawes Castle

Don’t miss a trip to the Trelissick Garden, with acres of beautiful plants, flowers and woodland; winding paths and hidden corners perfect for young excitable explorers and activities to join in with like the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 and three quarters autumn/winter trail’.

Alternatively drive a little further and you’ll reach the Eden Project with it’s very own indoor rainforest (the biggest of its kind) and a comprehensive calendar of fun family events that change from season to season.

Accommodation

Like everything at the Rosevine, the rooms are designed specifically to suit families, without compromising on style and comfort. There’s a mix of studios, family suites, two-bedroom apartments (all of which have a mini kitchen) and one self-catering cottage. Parents will love the muted Scandanavian interiors, while attic rooms and bunk beds will delight the kids.

Facilities: Towards the end of the day the cosy indoor swimming pool back at the Rosevine is a hive of activity when little rascals come running off the beach, rinse the sand off in the shower and plunge into the heated pool to warm up and work up an appetite before dinner (at which point mums can sneak off for a well-deserved spa treatment, which the staff can arrange for you off site)

After an early dinner, the kids can make themselves at home in the den, where a large flat-screen TV and shelves of DVDs and games will provide endless entertainment while you sink into a squishy sofa in the adjoining and far more sophisticated drawing room with a large glass of wine.  

What to pack: Very little! From buckets and spades for the beach to everything you could need for your tots is provided, including changing mats, high chairs, travels cots and steam sterilizers, all you have to do is ask.

Food

Everything at The Rosevine is made fresh and cooked with locally-sourced ingredients where possible. The food here is made with love and the restaurant feels special, especially at breakfast time when the light streams through the shutters. After polishing off a large plate of duck, I, only half-joking, asked to have the same again, at which point I was informed that it wouldn’t be the first time that this request had been made, and I expect it won’t be the last.  

Tim and Hazel understand that not everyone will want to sit down to a long meal every night, so they offer a brilliant deli service allowing guests to order dinner in the morning, the chefs will then whip it up in the kitchen for you, and it will be in your fridge ready for you to heat up when you get back to your bedroom to eat in the privacy of your room – at your private dining table. They really have thought of everything. 

The lowdown

Getting there: With a train journey time from London to Truro of over 5 hours, and another half an hour by car to get to The Rosevine itself, it seemed that the five and a half hour drive would be the obvious and most practical choice for this (admitedly long) journey. So we were delighted when SKODA asked if we would like to try their new Octavia vRS Estate for our trip.

With a built in sat nav we simply sat back and followed directions through winding, tangled roads that we almost certainly would have got lost amongst in the dark. And being an automatic the rather long journey from London was a synch. It was great to have a family car where we could pack up the kids, all their stuff and even keep their sandwiches cool in our mini fridge making the journey far more bearable so huge thanks to SKODA – the only complaint we had was that we couldn’t keep it, book a test-drive online to try it for yourself!

Book

Family apartments: Sleeps two adults and up to three children, have two spacious bedrooms, a sitting/dining room and mini kitchenette, costs from £1,150 per week.

Family suites: Sleeps two adults and up to three children, have an open plan bedroom, sitting/dining area with mini kitchenette and a separate kid’, costs room from £1,290 per week.

Studio: Sleeps two adults and one child, costs from £1,000 per week.

The Lookout: A self-catering cottage sleeping up to four adults and four children, costs from £1,475 per week.

 

More information: To book, visit rosevine.co.uk