The Poet’s Hideaway

“Getting away from it all” a phrase that Chris and I clearly have very different ideas on. My idea is that of a rural escape in the middle of know where with the dogs in tow, whist Chris’s idea is that of a beach escape. Nonetheless as Chris knows all to well, the dogs and I always get our own way on such matters.

Although I have been getting away and globe trotting with work since we purchased the cottage 18 months or so ago now, the only time Chris and I have taken off together has been for home improvements. We were therefore in need of a little break away and our lives lived in the fast lane back home, juggling work, studies, horses, dogs, cats and home improvements as well as the occasional human interaction.

After a couple of years admiring all of the luxury self-catering breaks on offer from Unique Home Stays across the UK (many of which are dog friendly), a few months ago we made our booking for The Poet’s Hideaway. I was extremely excited and started planning how we would be spending our days in advance. Chris is quite used to me taking the reins and planning our lives due to his easy going nature (either that or he appreciates that I always have the better ideas).

The Poets Hideaway is located in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, we chose this romantic cottage as our getaway not only for it’s rural, secluded location and all the dog walks on the doorstep, but I got Chris addicted to the BBC drama Poldark earlier in the year and we both eager to explore the moors and some of the filming locations used in the series.  Aside from this Bodmin was somewhere I had fond memories of whilst on caravan holidays during my childhood years with the family and our two Dalmatians, it therefore seemed like a good choice for a mini break.

The cottage was tucked away down a country lane, and the approach was just idyllic, crossing over a little humpback bridge running over the stream, to then round the corner and be presented with our cute cottage hideout for the next four nights.

Upon parking up we were greeted by the neighbours dogs Ted the pointer along with his Jack Russell side-kick, and eventually their owner.  Once hello’s had been exchanged we began to unload the packed out Volvo.

Entering the cottage known locally as the Old Reading Room, (once used as a place to encourage literacy amongst the local children), we were taken aback as it was better than in the pictures which we had not thought possible.

On the table was a fresh vase of flowers and a luxury filled hamper, with prosecco, choc chip cookies, marmalade, olives (all for me), fudge amongst other equally yummy items.

Once unpacked we all jumped back in the car to venture out to the closest supermarket 20 minutes way, all the while looking forward to getting back and settling in front of the fire and getting dinner on the go.

The cottage has all the mod cons you would expect however we had no intention of using the smart TV or DVD player during our stay.

Evenings were spent cooking a nice meal all the while Bunter keeping a close eye on it.

Before snuggling by the fire, wearing thick comfy socks (for me at least)! talking, drinking wine, playing cards and simply switching off from it all as much as possible.

The sunsets were surprisingly pretty despite being low down in a valley.

Mornings were spent slowly adjusting to the day ahead, sipping coffee/tea and eating pastries either from the room or the light cosy front entrance and flicking through one of the many interesting books around the cottage.

We particularly liked the observers book on weather, the neighbour mentioned sunshine, yet we were not overly sure which weather report he had seen as we mainly had rain – we turned to the book for guidance, little did it assist!

 

The décor extremely tasteful, there had clearly been a lot of thought which had gone in to even the smallest of details, as such we have come away with so many ideas for our own cottage.

At night with the bedroom window open we would fall asleep to the sound of the stream.

The outside did not disappoint either, with the stream trickling by the secluded garden and the decking area, the garden also housed a Scandi-inspired summerhouse which had a log burning stove and comfortable armchairs to relax into with a good book and a cup of tea.

The dogs felt most at home during our stay, I think they thought we had moved in!

 

Anyone who knows me will appreciate that I like candles and lots of them! The cottage was full of candles and I became a massive fan of Karen Davey’s  locally home made soy candles, purchasing many upon our journey home.  As I write this post I am transported back with a Cornish cream tea one burning away.

Although due to situations back home not allowing us to fully switch off, the time away in this utterly romantic secluded cottage did allow us a little together time was long overdue.

Due to the location of the Poet’s Hideaway there is so much choice to either wander the moors or visit the Cornish coast.   I will share in another post soon our dog friendly guide to Bodmin and surrounding areas.

Love for now Emma, Chris and the Dals xxxx