Holiday cottages

Powders

Helston, Cornwall

  • Dogs are now permitted at this cottage

Details

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In the perfect 'get-away-from-it-all location', Powders is a stylish 1930s wooden bungalow that nestles amongst the whispering pine trees at the spot where Frenchman's Creek meets the main Helford River. It would be difficult to find a house with a more spectacular river view: a haven for birdwatchers, walkers or just those who want to sit and gaze at the water. The former home of artist and sailor Powders Thurburn, the cottage has been restored with the latest eco-friendly techniques and materials, it has a large, informal, woodland garden and a path leading down to its private quay. The popular riverside pub and post office in Helford village, and the ferry across the river, are just over the headland.

Explore this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty without impacting on its delicate natural environment. Park up the car and do all your travelling by river. Use the hop-on hop-off ferries to visit Falmouth, Truro and all points between. Visit www.falriver.co.uk for details of timetables, the Fal Mussel Card, discounts in the local towns, etc.

The cottage's layout

Ground floor
large sitting/dining room with wood-burning stove, kitchen, two bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin) both with en-suite bathrooms with showers over bath, utility/cloakroom with lavatory.
Visitor notes

Cottage Approach: A path extends through the little gate to the left of the cottage. This path forks after about 20 metres with the right fork taking you up to a small unfenced pond which often fills with moss and leaves and may be difficult to spot.

Telephone: There is a payphone on the premises.

Accessibility: Powders is down a path from the parking area and there is a number of steps down to the property.

Please Note: The cottage sits on the banks of a river and care must be taken. Young children should not be left unattended in the garden.

The lower path leads to the quay. This gives immediate access to very deep water when the tide is in and a very sharp drop onto the beach if the tide is out.

Offers: Free parking at all NT carparks on Lizard on production of booking details

For any 3 night visit starting on a Thursday or 3 night starting on a Friday, guests can benefit from a late departure time on the Sunday of 6pm, at no extra charge.

Catering: Casserole and cake supper can be available, at an extra charge, on your arrival.

Logs/ Charcoal: A barbeque is available on request. NT BBQ charcoal also available at £5 per bag.

Unlimited supply of seasoned beech and ash logs available for £20.00 payable at time of booking.

Local Suppliers: Guest discount offered to NT guests by Lizard Adventure www.lizardadventure.co.uk and Dan Joel Surf School www.danjoelsurf.com

Cycle hire service available. Cycles delivered and picked up again at the end of your holiday. Further information at www.porthlevencyclehire.co.uk

Cottage details
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2
Let starts
Monday
Min stay
2
Dogs allowed
Yes, 2
Cottage ref
011093

Energy Performance Certificate

Features
  • Single Storey
  • Beach nearby
  • Dogs Welcome
  • Remote Location
  • Coast nearby
  • Open Fire / Stove
  • Pub nearby
Facilities
  • Television
  • Telephone
  • Tumble Dryer
  • Radio
  • Freezer
  • Cot
  • Microwave
  • Double bed
  • Washing Machine
  • Dishwasher
Accessibility
  • If you would like a copy of the access statement for this cottage please call the booking office on 0844 800 20 70
  • Accessible for ambulant disabled people

Nearby

Things to see and do nearby

South West England
Two women drawing a huge sun on the sandy beach at Kynance Cove, Cornwall. © John Miller

The South West region is probably England's most well-known holiday hotspot, being home to some of the most famous seaside resorts. Pretty villages and harbours in Cornwall, many with sweeping sandy beaches, such as St Ives, Polzeath and Port Isaac to name but a few, give way to sophisticated seaside resorts in Devon and Dorset which include Bournemouth, Torquay and Ilfracombe. The history of this region is unrivalled; Wiltshire's spectacular downland and the stone circles at Avebury and Stonehenge, through Hardy's Dorset, dramatic Dartmoor and gentler Exmoor, to the mining landscapes of Cornwall and West Devon, which are now recognised as being of international significance, having been awarded World Heritage Site status in 2006. The Trust protects 370 miles of the coastline in Devon and Cornwall and, wherever you are in the two far western counties, you're never more than 25 miles from the sea. As well as this peninsula, the Trust also cares for much of the countryside in Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset and a wide array of fascinating properties to visit and explore. Not surprisingly, perhaps, this area is also home to the widest selection of National Trust holiday cottages.

West Cornwall
The Lighthouse at the Lizard Peninsula sits on top of craggy cliffs under a brooding dark blue sky, with Bumble Rock and the Lions Den. © Joe Cornish

The far west of Cornwall has a unique atmosphere. The most southerly point in Britain, the Lizard, with its turbulent seas, treacherous reefs and towering cliffs, has an unusual quality which sets it apart from the rest of Cornwall. Yet, with its unique flora, tiny fishing villages and fascinating caves and coves, this quiet corner is ideal for the visitor who appreciates untamed natural beauty and many dramatic views. Land?s End Peninsula, also known as West Penwith, has equally magnificent cliffs and turbulent seas, but is very different in character to the Lizard. Here, granite moorland meets the sea: an ancient haunting landscape of small, rocky fields, isolated farms and hamlets and an extraordinary wealth of archaelogical remains. This tiny corner abounds in places to visit and the Trust manages or owns many of these including St Michael's Mount and the nearby Trengwainton Gardens, Levant Mine at St Just, the ancient house of Godolphin and Lizard Point. Aside from the wealth of National Trust properties other attractions include the famous seaside town of St. Ives, beloved of artists over the years and now the home of the Tate Gallery, the underground tour of Geevor Mine, St Just, Penzance, with its helicopter and boat links to Isles of Scilly, RSPB site at Marazion, the pretty harbour at Mousehole, Penlee Gallery in Newlyn - the list is endless! For the more energetic, outdoor activities abound with wonderful sandy beaches, watersports, walking, horse-ridnig, fishing, golf and cycling.

Cottage location
Key
Current cottage
Holiday cottage
National Trust
place to visit
Cluster of pins Shows number of grouped pins. Zoom in to see individual pins
Attractions
  • East and west coasts of the Lizard Peninsula
  • Helford
  • St Anthony
  • Helford Passage
  • Helston Folk Museum
Activities
  • Boating
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Walking
  • Watersports
National Trust places to visit
Glendurgan Garden
View of the Cherry Orchard at Glendurgan with magnolias and rhododendrons. © NTPL/Stephen Robson Superb subtropical garden, with special interest for families
St Anthony Head
A beautiful view along the cliff at St Anthony Head. © NTPL/Joe Cornish Headland with fine views over Falmouth Bay
Penrose Estate: Gunwalloe and Loe Pool
Looking across wheatfield to sandbank and open sea at The Loe. © NTPL/Andrew Besley Wooded country around Cornwall's largest natural lake and dramatic coastal scenery
The Lizard and Kynance Cove
Two women drawing a huge sun on the sandy beach at Kynance Cove. © NTPL/John Millar Dramatic and historic stretch of Cornish coast
Trelissick Garden
A palm tree in the 'Dell' garden at Trelissick, Cornwall Tranquil varied garden in fabulous position, with a superb collection of tender and exotic plants
Godolphin
Old roller in the garden in April at Godolphin House Ancient and atmospheric house and garden set within an historic estate

Visitor comments

Comments from past visitors

  • Dave & Lynn, Mark & Emma Dickinson
    Stunning

    Powders at Frenchman's Creek was our first National Trust cottage and it lived up to all our expectations - both the cottage and the location are stunning

  • Judy and Alan
    The most fabulous house in the most amazing location

    The most fabulous house in the most amazing location. Sheer perfection. We had a week of almost unbroken sunshine which made it even more fantastic. The lovely house, the beautiful views over Frenchman's Creek and the Helford River - it must be the best spot in Cornwall. Within walking distance of pretty Helford village so the car got a rest too.

  • Liz
    In HEAVEN!

    I spent a few days last week in Powders and was in HEAVEN! It was perfect weather, flowers were everywhere and the house and gardens are SO wonderful. Light and clean with water views from every room and totally private. Its situation is absolutely perfect,on the corner of Frenchman's Creek and the Y of the Helford- I think it couldn't be better. We waked an 8 mile circular route through bluebell woods, past little coves and across green fields and ate fresh crab in the lovely cafe at Helford by the car park (Down By the Rverside). All great but nothing beat just returning to this lovely house and gazing out onto the ever changing water

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Prices

What it will cost

The detail

Prices include:

  • VAT at the current rate
  • Linen, heating and electricity (except where shown in the cottage details)

Supplements
(not included in the price table above)

  • A non-refundable £10 charge is not included, and will be added to the total price of your holiday to cover the cost of accidental breakages
  • Unfortunately we cannot accept website bookings more than 15 months in advance. Please call 0844 800 2070 or email cottages@nationaltrust.org.uk to enquire about future cottage bookings and reservations.
  • As part of the annual pricing review of all its cottages the National Trust reserves the right to move individual cottages up or down the price bands and to alter date breaks. We also reserve the right to charge supplements for certain cottages for specific dates covering special events, e.g. Rosetta Cottages on the Isle of Wight during Cowes week. We will notify you of any special event supplements at the time of booking.

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