Notes from the host
Historic Chapel with Great Facilities Nr Beaches
Summary:
Situated in the heart of the countryside, our 200 year old Chapel has everything you could need for a trip to South East Cornwall. But the best part is undoubtedly the breath-taking old chapel room. Filled with eclectic antiques, many of which are recovered from the original refurb, but still kitted out with all the mod cons including surround-sound HIFI, 55 inch smart TV with high speed fibre internet and a huge collection of DVDs. There's even a secret kids den under the pulpit!
The Space:
Sleeps up to 9 with two double rooms & one bunk room with 5 singles. Of which, two share a bathroom with large walk in shower, whilst the master has its own bathroom just opposite with dreamy roll-top bath. The kitchen is very well-equipped for cooking up large meals & the two large dining areas provide ample seating. You'll find a large American-style fridge freezer with ice machine, dishwasher, big range cooker, dishwasher, coffee machine and heaps of utensils, pots and pans.
It's the perfect place for all the family to relax. Free use of surfboards, wetsuits + all other beach equipment you can think of! 5 mins drive to Caerhays Beach & Castle, endless coastal walks & Lost Gardens of Heligan. 20 mins to Eden Project. Dogs are welcome with a fee of £20/dog (max 2). It is on the condition they are not allowed on the soft furnishings or in the bedrooms.
The Old Methodist Chapel is a historic building built in 1816, making it over 200 years old. In 1993 we undertook the massive project of renovating it into a liveable space. All of the original features were fully restored and the chapel room converted into a living area, giving the space a uniqueness you are unlikely to find anywhere else! For those interested, we have a book written by a local lady who recalls the history of the chapel as a child in the early 1900s.
The main chapel room still retains the original pulpit, stained glass windows and organ, as well as a full set of Britannica Encyclopedias dating back to the 19th century. However, it is not without its modern amenities! The whole room has a surround-sound HIFI system, plus there is a 55 inch smart TV and vast selection of films. Alternatively, you can tuck into a book or enjoy one of our board games.
The kitchen is well-equipped to cook for groups of all sizes, with Heligan Farm Shop only a short drive away should you want to stock up on delicious local produce. There is also a dishwasher, all the regular kitchen appliances, brand new range cooker & stove, washing machine and tumble dyer. The double-doored fridge freezer provides ample space to store food for large groups and is fitted with an ice machine and filtered water.
Upstairs, the sleeping arrangements are perfectly set out for families. The bunk room (5 singles) is great for kids and shares an en-suite bathroom with a large walk in shower with one of the double rooms. The other double bedroom boasts stunning views of the Cornish countryside. This room has its own bathroom right opposite with a dreamy roll top bath.
We also provide a large variety of free beach equipment if you fancy heading down to one of the beautiful beaches for the day - several are only 5-10 minutes drive away. This includes surfboards, bodyboards, a kayak, wetsuits of all sizes, fishing rods, inflatables, buckets and spades, BBQ equipment, the list goes on...
There is a Post Office in Gorran Churchtown around 2 mins drive away, which has all the essentials. There is also another store around 5 minutes drive in Gorran Haven. Mevagissey is around a 7 minute drive and has a larger selection of shops and takeaways. Around a 20 minute drive away in St Austell there is a Tesco, Asda and more.
Any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Guest Access:
All parts of the house are open for access.
The Neighborhood:
Gorran High Lanes is a tiny hamlet in the heart of the South Cornwall countryside surrounded by farmland.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan - only 5 minutes drive, these magnificent gardens are very popular all year round. Also has a wonderful farm shop with local produce.
The Eden Project - said to be the 8th wonder of the world, these giant biomes house artificial environments such as rain forests and Mediterranean deserts. There are also other activities such as zip lining. Around 20-25 minutes drive.
Surfing - If conditions are right, it is possible to surf at local beaches, such as Caerhay's, Hemmick and Pentewan. If not, more consistent surfing beaches on the North are only 40-45 minutes drive i.e. Watergate bay and Fistral.
Pentewan valley cycle hire - 10 minutes drive.
Mevagissey - a traditional fishing village with shops, restaurants (we highly recommend Alvorada and Salamanders) and loads of great pubs.
Caerhays estate and castle - 5 minutes drive.
Polmassick Vineyard - 10 minutes drive.
Melinsey mill cream tea - 15 minutes drive.
St Austell Brewery - 20 minutes drive.
Charlestown - Around 20 minutes drive, see the amazing tall-ships and if you are lucky some great film sets!
Fowey - Historic harbour town, around 40 minutes.
The Minnack Theatre - a fairly long drive at 1 hour 30 mins, but well worth it! This historic theatre is carved into the edge of a cliff and over looks the sea! They show various Shakespearian plays and kids shows throughout the summer. Book in advance.
Getting Around:
Cornwall is quite remote by nature, so a vehicle is advised for getting the most out of your time here. There is parking on the kerb in front of the house for 3 small or 2 large vehicles, with overflow available in a layby 50m up the road. We have a 7.4 kWh EV charger mounted on the wall at the far end of the parking area. It is a Go Zero Optimus EV charger, and it can fill your car with 20-30 miles of range per hour, depending on the type of electric car you have. The cost is £0.50/kWh and the average vehicle should cost around £4 to charge from empty.
However, there is a bus stop right outside The Chapel for those looking to use public transport to travel into Mevagissey or Gorran Haven for an evening out. Taxis are also available should you be coming back late.
The nearest train station is in St Austell - around 20 minutes drive. Trains operated by Great Western run direct from London Paddington to this station. From here, you can either hire a car or get a taxi to The Chapel. The nearest airport is in Newquay - around 45 minutes drive. Similarly, you can hire a car here or get a taxi - though we recommend to book in advance if you do.
Other Things to Note:
There is parking on the kerb in front of the house for 3 small or 2 large vehicles, with overflow available in a lay by 50m up the road. We have a 7.4 kWh EV charger mounted on the wall at the far end of the parking area. It is a Go Zero Optimus EV charger, and it can fill your car with 20-30 miles of range per hour, depending on the type of electric car you have. The cost is £0.50/kWh and the average vehicle should cost around £4 to charge from empty.
Please note the property sits on a country road B road that unfortunately does not have a 30mph limit. The door is fitted with a safety chain to prevent kids or dogs running out.
At the start of September 2024 the chapel has to have some works done to the roof for one day. It's all external so no access needed inside, but guests will need to move their vehicles to the lay by for the day. We do not yet have an exact date but please be aware this day may fall over your booking if you are staying over this period.
Interaction with Guests:
We will be available via message, email and phone during your stay. Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
