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Elsie's

Indulge, with 5 self-catering upgrades

Self-catering upgrades for a boutique stay

Choosing a self-catering stay now offers so many of the indulgent treats often associated with a boutique hotel. A holiday cottage offers more space, privacy, private garden and importantly no agendas.  If you are seeking a few indulgences, we have a host of upgrades and special touches which will make your self-catering stay extra special.

Explore more with guided experiences

Holidays are as much about the experiences we have as the accommodation. Once booked having to research, book and organise an experience can feel like hard work – and there’s the risk it could be less than perfect.

For this reason, as a self catering owner I’ve curated a menu of experiences for guests.  From guided walks to explore the countryside, to potters wheel experiences, baking, or paddle-boarding.  The country side promises open spaces, with miles of tracks to hike, peddle and rivers to paddle on. However getting outside in open spaces can feel a little intimidating. So a few packages to help you explore will make it all less daunting and will, we hope give you a far better experience than leaving you to your own devices.

Foodie treats

Food is one of life’s pleasures, so tickling our taste buds with flavours and produce of the region can be a focal point for many of us on our holibobs.

There’s no need to feel like you are missing out on great food on a self-catering holiday or  that it will mean hard work,.

Our most secluded cottage offers a host of foodie packages to make life easier. Such as a platter of deli specialities to arrive to, the perfect treat after a long journey.

Add a pizza kit to turn a simple classic, into a fun experience. Cook up to a full English, with a hamper of locally produced bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes. Or maybe order some artisan pastries for a touch of sweet indulgence. Not only are you guaranteed the best seat in the house – you won’t have to vacate it by 11am.

If you are looking to steer clear of using the car, why not order a pub night in, with an artisan burger kit. Cook up a BBQ feast with locally produced meats.  Enjoy chilling out over dinner, maybe mix yourself a cocktail, crack open a bottle of wine, all without breaking the bank.

Support local and eat the best the region produces, all in the comfort of a stunning home and you definitely won’t feel like you’ve missed out.

Discover a new passion

Our everyday lives are full of routines and commitments, we need to do for others.  Whilst our holidays are time that is unashamedly dedicated for us. Which makes it a perfect opportunity doing things that time doesn’t seem to allow for at home.

Unlike a hotel – where space is defined for exercise or eating, lounging or sleeping, in your own cottage, you can get creative. Try sketching or flower pressing, yoga to stargazing.  We have a curated box of equipment for you to try your hand at something new, there’s no competing agendas, and no-one to please.

You never know you might discover your next passion.

Spa at home

Many of us love a spa. Soaking in a tub, a good massage or facial and feeling utterly pampered.  Most self-catering cottages don’t offer anywhere near the facilities a hotel spa offers – or do they?

Whilst a pool is a rarity, hot tubs aren’t in self-catering cottages and even saunas are becoming more common.  If its treatments that really make you feel pampered, well the good news is you can get these in the privacy of your own self-catering home.

From a massage to facial, reflexology to reiki. We offer a full menu of treatments which you can book. With fluffy robes and wonderful essential oils you will feel properly pampered.

Simple pleasures

If you aren’t a hotel person then you probably don’t need any persuasion to book a gorgeous cottage over a hotel room.

As a final bonus, a self-catering cottage offers lots of little nooks, to curl up and enjoy a book or listen to music.

To help we’ll provide a shelf of great reading, a bluetooth speaker to stream your favorite tunes. Binoculars to bird watch or star gaze.

More than anything though, self-catering spaces offer the chance to step into a totally new lifestyle. A secluded cottage with rustic interiors, wild garden or sea as scenery is not only a contrast to what the majority of us live in, it offers a unique experience all of its own.

Living in a different space gives us a flavour of a different life, which, when taken back home lasts on in our memory and may inspire us to new things.  Isn’t that what holidays are all about?

5 reasons for a January break

5 great reasons  for a new year break

 

After the fun and craziness of the festive season, we can feel a little low as January hits. The first few months of the year can leave us feeling joyless and the blues are only lifted marginally by the lightening evenings and hope for spring. So we’ve put together 5 reasons to get away in January.  It offers the chance to focus on you and your plans for the year.

 

A dose of nature to calm your mind

When the weather outside is raining, and days are short and cold, it can be tempting to stay inside and wait for spring.

Yet, it has been proven that time in nature, is great for the mind, distresses and has the added benefit of topping up your vitamin D with a dose of sunlight.

Being able to walk out into woodland and sit quietly under a tree at Elsies Cottage or climb a hill to get your lungs burning, or maybe get blown off your feet on a blustery walk along the beach at Anchor Cottage– the wonder of nature is it never fails to make you feel alive. With the reward of a roaring fire and  a warm mug of cocoa waiting on your return.

blah blah blah

detox and relax in a bubble bath

Time for a digital detox?

From messaging, to social arrangements, posting your life and getting overwhelmed by the shares of others, it might be time to break the scrolling habit and get focussed on the stuff that really makes us happy.

But it is tough. Especially when your habits and routines are set. So nows the time to make your escape. Get away to Elsie’s cottage where there are tempting alternatives like a soak in a roll top bath with a book and bubbles, or a dip in the hot tub. Pick up your pen or don your brush and create new distractions in your life.

me time

Indulge in some ‘me’ time

Despite what we all believe to be a break over Christmas, it is often the opposite. With rounds of visiting, rushing around buying pressies, along with late night revelries and early morning tidying. Its no wonder we arrive in January a little flat.

Being able to sit and be, doing what you want to do, with no one else to please is such an indulgence – and what are holidays for but to indulge ourselves.

 

Make a plan

Once the new year has faded, if you are anything like me, you’ll probably get the urge to start planning. Whether its your holidays, or booking events and concerts, pursuing your hobbies or a big idea that needs hatching, January is a new start and a chance to reset and the promise of a new beginning. Getting away is the perfect time to get it all down on paper.

So, Pack your favourite journal and pen or laptop and camera and start the way you mean to go on.

When its cold outside, snuggle up

The beauty of winter is we don’t need an excuse to hibernate. We may be fired up with new plans, but we can make them by a roaring fire, curled up in a deep sofa, listening to the rain outside with a hot toddy.

Our minds and bodies need down time, after the up time. It is crucial to rejuvenate and allow our minds to wander, reflect and re-energise ourselves for the spring when we naturally awaken.

 

Whatever your reason to getaway, choose between Elsies, seclusion  in the heart of the country or a Anchor cottage on the edge of the sea in Cornwall. We are offering a 10% discount for all stays from January until 14th March.  Just pop the code WINTERBREAK in the coupon box at checkout.

Foody weekend in Cornwall

Easy peasy foody weekend

The journey down to the Lizard peninsula can be a bit of a trek. Always worth it, but you may have a bit of a rumbly tum by the time you arrive.

So we’ve put together a guide to the simplest of foody weekends in Cornwall, which mean you can ditch the car and indulge.

Porthleven village has plenty to fill you up after a long journey. Famous for its food festival held in spring, but there’s plenty to tempt your taste buds all year round.

We’ve put together an easy peasy weekend woody weekend in Cornwall that will mean you can ditch the car, and the apron, so you can properly indulge from long brunches to seafood feasts on beach, scrumptious fast food treats and fine dining. That’s before you start on the pubs and coffee houses.

So after a blast of sea air to blow away the frustrations of the A30 you’ll be ready to get stuck in.

Fish suppers and wood-fired pizzas

To ensure you get the biggest choice, head out before 8, especially out of season. Our favourite is fish and chips which we either dig into back at Anchor cottage to enjoy the view or eat straight out the packet from the harbour wall with a pint from the Shoal.

Wood-fired pizzas from the Corner Deli are a great quick fix, especially if you have hungry mouths to feed. – you can order in advance and pick them up on the way. Or drop in and order in person. We leave a voucher to use in the Deli, so whether it goes towards your dinner or a treat for your stay it’s up to you.

Now the weekend is off to a flying start, you could sit and enjoy the wave action on the terrace or get in amongst the locals at the pubs, our go to is the shoal or Ship Inn where there’s always a great welcome.

Brekkie blowout

Waking to the sound of the sea and the Cornish hustle and bustle, you’ll be drawn outside to go and get in amongst the seaside vibes.

Our hamper provides all you need to start the day well, from a fresh brew to a poached egg on toast.

But you are on your holibibs, so you might want a proper blow out breakfast. And in Porthleven you have plenty to choose from. Our choice is the Twisted Current cafe. Their breakfasts are proper. If it’s a full English or a vegan cook up, they cover it. From pancakes and maple syrup to avovado toast and mushrooms.  Grab yourself a sweet treat for later too, because this cafe bake all their own cakes

In their cosy tea rooms, you get a view of the bustling high street, or there’s a garden at the rear if you want to eat al fresco. Dog friendly too!

Fresh Mussels with harbour views

Nothing says Cornwall than a fresh bowl of Mussels. But don’t be fooled by the name, the Mussel Shoal cooks up much more than just its namesake.

From hake burgers to sticky squid, and haddock chowders to warm you after a day messing about on the water.

The vibe is always laid back, with great tunes piped out over the outdoor bar and huddle by a wood burner or bask in the sunniest spot on the harbour.

Share a table and get chatting to all, sup on a pint or cocktail, the only danger is that you’ll still be sitting there as the sun dips and you start thinking of dinner!

Fine dining with Cornish simplicity

The home of Kota is one of the oldest buildings in Porthleven.

Acclaimed chef Jude Kereama, owns and runs Kota and its sister restaurant on the harbour front Kota Kai.

For the tasting menu and fine dining book Kota, it is up there for the best of Cornwall and beyond- with many a rosette, awards and a slice of TV acclaim.  But this place isn’t formal or stuffy. An unpretentious dining space, with friendly service works perfectly with the stunning Cornish inspired dishes.

Head for Kota Kai for even more informality, and lovely views over the harbour. The food is a wonderful fusion of oriental flavours and British favourites using fresh seafood.

Whichever you choose – book ahead!

Of the beaten track for a traditional roast

We British love a Sunday roasts. Whatever the weather!

In Porthleven you could choose from a number of spots, including a paired back option from The Ship Inn, to the real deal at the Corner Deli and Harbour.

Our choice is to head out of town to The Victoria Inn in Perranuthno. A little known cove off the Penzance road with a great Sunday roast. It’s about a 15 minute drive, and you can enjoy a paddle on the sandy beach wander around a few crafty shops before digging into a great Sunday lunch with a good pint or a hefty red.

Once back in your cosy cottage you may need a rest from eating, but you probably won’t resist a last pint in the Ship to finish off your foody weekend in real Cornish style.

Room for more? Dig in at a bistro with a view

If you are more of a light lunch type, or maybe you still have room for more.

Why not try Amelie’s

Amelie’s is more of a mixed menu with fresh fish, and pizzas on the menu – so great for families.  The glazed extension is perfect for summer dining, but the main restaurant is lovely with bar area and a  light airy feel.

Once back in your cosy cottage you may need a rest from eating, but you probably won’t resist a last pint in the Ship to finish off your foody weekend in real Cornish style.

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