‘Surfs up’ for buyers at Rocky Lane, Cornwall
When you are one of a quarter of a million Brits who take to the UK’s waves each year, finding a second home close to some of the UK’s best surfing beaches is essential to indulge in that passion. For budding surfers Liz and Daniel Smith, who live in Clevedon close to Bristol, they knew Rocky Lane in St Agnes, Cornwall was exactly the investment they were looking for.
“I had enjoyed surfing and beach holidays as a child in this part of Cornwall and wanted to share those memories with my family. So when we saw the designs of the houses being built by Living Structures at Rocky Lane, we decided to take a closer look.” comments Daniel.
Such is the family’s enthusiasm for surfing that they were able to incorporate a ‘Surf Store’ under the house for boards. They were also able to make other changes to the original layout of the house to suit the family’s needs, such as adding a fourth bedroom.
Rocky Lane is a collection of ten individually designed detached homes set in 3.5 acres of private woodland above Trevaunance Cove, on the dramatic North Cornwall coast. A location that repeatedly tops national polls as one of Britains favourite holiday destinations and as a result one that has seen an increase in second home ownership.
Liz (38), who manages the couple’s rental properties as well as taking care of their children, and Daniel (39), a Solicitor and founder of the SmithCorp recruitment and property group, also wanted a second home that didn’t take long to get to, so they could easily spend weekends there with their three young children, Olive, Sydney and Iris, then just lockup and leave.
“We were looking at locations that were close enough for Daniel, who has offices in Truro, to use as a crash pad and be able to unwind after a hard day’s work, by heading to the beach which is just 400 yards away or the fantastic local pub The Driftwood Spars which is even closer. It was also important that the village had an ‘all year round’ spirit and didn’t just thrive in the summer. St Agnes was perfect. ” said Liz.
“We were the first purchasers to buy at Rocky Lane and in May 2010 we put down the money on our chosen plot of land. By buying the land in the first instance and having a separate contract for the build, we were exempt from paying any stamp duty, which was a real bonus. We have bought and sold quite a few properties over the years, but we had never come across this type of arrangement before.”
“The house is very sheltered among the trees and we have a fabulous spot to the side of the house that we use for our outdoor meals with the children. On New Year’s Eve, the hot tub, which is on the first floor balcony, proved to be a great vantage point for watching a local fireworks display.”
Liz concludes, “The quality of finish, internally and externally, and attention to detail is incredible. We particularly like the large sliding doors that open up to incorporate the large decking area; it really brings the outdoors inside. We often notice visitors to the area stopping to look at our home, as the architecture makes quite an impact in the woodland setting.”
St Agnes, known for its warm welcome, offers a good selection of pubs, cafes, craft shops and galleries. Whilst for the outdoor enthusiast there are numerous possibilities on offer, including surfing on some of the UK’s best surfing beaches, exploring the National Trust Coastal pathways, historical caves, engine houses, mines and museums, whilst just a short drive away, one of Cornwall’s main visitor attractions The Eden Project.
Combining stylish eco architecture with luxurious contemporary interiors, the homes at Rocky Lane raise the bar in the Cornish second home market. Prices range from £295,000 for a one bedroom (900 sq ft) house to £650,000 for a four bedroom (1,700 sq ft) house.
Visit rockylanecornwall.com for further information.
