North Wing is a beautiful apartment is set in a historic castle and boasts sweeping panoramic views over Mount’s Bay. You have immediate access to miles of coastal path, and a choice of great beaches. North Wing offers accommodation for 4, but is not too big to make a delightful bolt-hole for two.
Built in 1775 as a country house, Acton Castle was created to command the view over Mount’s Bay, one of Cornwall’s most dramatic and beautiful stretches of coastline. A fascinating part of local heritage and a building listed by Historic England, today Acton Castle comprises seven unique and exclusive dwellings. North Wing is on the first floor, and so benefits from outstanding views of the coastline. The accommodation centres around a large open-plan living area, ideal for relaxed coastal living.
Inside North Wing
You will approach Acton Castle down a twisting and slightly bumpy country lane. Turning a corner the view suddenly and dramatically opens before you — you can see the sea stretching to the horizon, and the castle set in an elevated position above the bay. Acton Castle has been painstakingly restored, and North Wing cleverly combines a traditional historic feel, with all the contemporary features, including beautiful wooden floors throughout, you’ll need for a relaxed and carefree escape, at any time of year.
The owners have given careful attention to colours and textures, with relaxing greys, greens and moody blues throughout the interior, complimenting the wooden floors, natural exposed stonework and coastal surroundings. Guests are welcomed into a large open plan living and dining room, combined with a well-equipped modern kitchen. There is ample comfy seating, a large 55” Internet TV with Freeview, and a dining table seating six. The elevated position and large windows give panoramic views over Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount and the Penwith peninsula.
The master bedroom, along the main corridor, has a super king sized bed, hanging space, and a huge window that floods the room with natural light. Next door is the small twin bedroom with a 20” TV and a chest of drawers. Both bedrooms are decorated in neutral whites and greys and have bleached wooden floors. You will also find a lovely bathroom with luxury double-ended bath, shower, heated towel rail and under floor heating — as well as a separate WC. Please note there is limited storage space in the main bedroom.
Outside the property
In front of the property, you’ll have access to a formal communal garden set out with separate lawned areas, sub-tropical planting and an ornamental fish pond — and of course sharing the same breathtaking views as the accommodation. This space is perfect for soaking up the sun from the sheltered and cleverly positioned garden benches. There is also designated private parking for you.
From the garden, over a stile and across one field, you are immediately on the South West Coast Path — making this a perfect base for walkers. A twenty minute stroll along the coast path will bring you to Prussia Cove, taking in dramatic Cudden Point and little Piskies Cove along the way — or wander a similar distance in the other direction and you’ll find the beach and village of Perranuthanoe, with its seafront café, excellent gastro-pub and several other places to eat and explore. The coves here were once a smuggler’s haven and still have a secretive feeling to this day.
A very short drive away is the superb lifeguarded beach of Praa Sands, with a café and shop, and a little further away you can explore Porthleven, Marazion, Penzance, Newlyn Harbour, Mousehole, or even the Lizard Peninsula, St Ives and Penwith.
A little history, and other things we love…
Acton Castle was built in 1775 for John Stackhouse – a marine biologist before such a profession existed. Working extensively in the area he conducted fieldwork and ground-breaking analysis and categorisation of seaweed. The architect was John Wood the Younger – who had recently completed designs for the world famous Royal Crescent in Bath. Cornwall’s most famous real-life smuggler “The King of Prussia” (real name John Carter) was for a time also caretaker of Acton Castle.
There are said to be smuggler’s tunnels running from the castle to the coast — although these have never been found. Find out more about the fascinating story of John Carter here. Of course all of this was happening at the same time as the fictitious Poldark stories were taking place — and indeed many of the plotlines in Poldark can easily be imagined right here.
We love the history, but North Wing is also hard to beat in terms of its location and panoramic views. We love being able to walk to a range of little beaches, but also having a wide choice of bigger ones just a few moments away. If you are a foodie you are also really well served here – get you own culinary ingredients from brilliant little Trevelyan Farm Shop, book an evening table at the excellent Victoria Inn in Perranuthanoe (you can walk back with a torch!), or take advantage of Rick Stein’s, Amélies or Kota in Porthleven. Nearby Goldsithney Stores provides a daily delivery service which is well worth it if you fancy having a lazy morning (phone your order and pay cash when they deliver)!
A visit to St Michael’s Mount, wandering back bare-booted across the causeway as the tide laps in over your feet is a must. And of course, back at North Wing, enjoy breathtaking sunsets looking west towards the twinkling lights of Penzance, Mousehole and far off Land’s End. North Wing has its own Facebook page, why not have a look?
