Chymder Farmhouse, Helston, Cornwall

Built into the rising hills and cliffs overlooking Pedngwinian Point on the Lizard peninsula of deep south Cornwall, this 18th-century farmhouse combines old-world charm with contemporary flourishes. Built in traditional Cornish granite, it has a footprint of over 2,300 sq ft with five large bedrooms and a detached open-plan converted barn. Chymder Farmhouse sits within an acre of grounds with the barn conversion and house designed specifically to cater to the surfing and sea-adventure inclined.

Setting the Scene

Set in the blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it hamlet of Cury, the area’s quiet pastoralism belies an ancient history. Cury (or Corantyn) was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The name derives from the medieval parish church dedicated to the 9th-century Breton saint, St Corantin. The current Grade I-listed church is of 15th-century origin, but lies on a likely much earlier site with possible Romano-British associations.

Chymder itself is first mentioned as a settlement as far back as 1354. The surrounding countryside and the hamlet of Cury show a tantalising glimpse of an Iron Age settlement and earthwork.

The Grand Tour

A large driveway with a generous parking area runs to the side of Chymder Farmhouse.

Its interiors have been renovated to a clean, coastal-inspired design. Walls and rafters have been painted white, foregrounding the tactile and weathered patina of stone and timber materials. Beyond the inviting entryway, where a porthole window looks out through the front door, the boot room is a welcoming, bright space with a glazed roof.

The kitchen and dining space are arranged in a free-flowing configuration over honey-coloured flagstones with underfloor heating beneath. Shaker-style cabinetry in a stormy grey hue conceals modern appliances. A light blue Aga is tucked within an arched alcove lined with white metro tiles. A glazed stable door opens to a flagstone-laid courtyard and garden. There is also a useful scullery with a deep Belfast sink; an additional utility/laundry room with a Belfast sink is accessed from the boot room.

The sitting room is illuminated by light that falls through sash windows, flanked by embrasure shutters and small window seats. The timber fireplace houses a wood-burner, with space for attractive log storage. Floorboards bearing a rich stain run underfoot and are warmed by underfloor heating. There is another reception room, being used by the current owners as a study. A large hearth is built into the stonework wall, and a long desk runs down one side with a delightful view of the house’s setting.

Upstairs, the bedrooms have a similar tidal palette. The primary bedroom has a fireplace, which can be used to store candles, books, or flowers. There are three bathrooms, two with spacious, contemporary walk-in showers, and a third with a free-standing bathtub. Downstairs, a large wet room with underfloor heating is ideally placed for post-dip showers.

The annexe barn conversion is filled with sunlight that streams through wide, glazed French doors opening to the garden. A simple kitchen has stainless steel worktops, and there is a smart slate wet room.

The Great Outdoors

Chymder Farmhouse sits amid an acre of rolling land and a landscaped garden. The surrounding rolling landscape is imbued with a refreshing sea breeze.

The expansive lawn immediately framing the house is accented by stone gravel borders, with raised beds stocked with herbs and a large ornamental tree. Other mature specimen trees dot the grounds, most notably a handsome cypress, a productive mulberry tree and an exuberant palm.

Beside the barn, there is a stepped, decked area with sheltered curved stone seating – a delightful spot to position sun loungers or table and chairs for an aperitif. In the lea of the house, a walled courtyard is lined with flagstones and framed protectively by stone walls. This south-west-facing space would be the perfect setting for a breakfast table or outdoor entertaining.

Planning permission is in place to construct a 600 sq ft timber cabin in its own private paddock area, for private studio use or potential holiday rental; details can be seen here.

Out and About

Cury lies just south of Helston in Cornwall, not far from the popular towns of Gweek, Porthleven, and Falmouth. The house is exceptionally well located for easy access to the Lizard Heritage Coast. The golden sands of Church Cove, a hidden gem perfect for surfing, swimming and bathing, can be reached in a few minutes by car. Dollar Cove, which takes its name from the silver dollars that still wash up from an ancient wreck and the charming 13th-century church, St Winwalloe, are also within easy reach. Lizard Point, Britain’s most southerly, is less than 10 minutes away by car.

Poldhu Cove is less than a two-minute drive from the house, while Mullion Golf Links is around a minute by car. Mullion village itself is around five minutes away and has a range of amenities, including a post office and schools. Gunwalloe is a short 15-minute drive from the house and is home to Halzephron Inn and the dramatically named ‘Cliffs of Hell’.

Gweek is nearby with the beautiful Helford River, with its sailing facilities and glorious sub-tropical gardens, as well as the Classic Boatyard and café. Popular café, restaurant and bakery Flora, at the historic and unspoilt Trelowarren estate, is nearby, and The Black Swan and The Ship Inn are among local favourites for pubs nearby. The independent shops of Helston are a 15-minute drive away, notably CAST Café and a 15th-century pub with an onsite brewery, The Blue Anchor.

The cathedral city of Truro is approximately 40 minutes away by car. It has a fantastic selection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as a museum and theatre. The university port of Falmouth is 30 minutes away, with an ever-growing arts and music community, there are a host of artisan food stores, independent and antique shops abound, along with a new world music venue, arthouse cinema, waterside restaurants and pubs and the National Maritime Museum.

St Ives is within a 45-minute drive to the north-west, with its own Tate and the Anima Mundi Gallery, a leading contemporary art gallery in the South West. It is the site of the wonderfully preserved Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Nearby is Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, host to a multitude of installations by international artists.

Stations in Truro and Redruth are both 30-40 minutes by car, providing direct GWR links to London Paddington in four-and-a-half hours.

Council Tax Band: G