+ Full Description

SETTING THE SCENE

Tucked away down a pretty country lane in a secluded rural setting, Middle Colenso is ideally located for exploring southwest Cornwall. Set in the peaceful hamlet of Colenso, between Penzance and Helston, just a short distance from Prussia Cove, Marazion, Praa Sands, and the south coast.

The far west offers world-class beaches, gardens, galleries, and restaurants, with the farm perfectly positioned for visiting St Michael's Mount, the Minack Theatre, and St Ives. Nearby Porthleven has become a renowned food destination, historic Prussia Cove is rich in smuggling history and a great swim spot, while Helston, with its elegant Georgian Cross Street, exudes charm. To the south, the Lizard Peninsula and to the west, Lands End Peninsula —both areas Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—embody all the qualities that entice people to Cornwall, with breathtaking scenery, mild winters, and some of the best surfing, fishing, and diving in England.

For convenient travel, the mainline London-Penzance railway is just five miles away at St Erth, offering regular services, including an overnight 'sleeper' service to the capital.

HISTORY

With origins dating back to Elizabethan times, this historic farmstead comprises an 18th-century farmhouse and three beautifully converted holiday cottages, originally barns and outbuildings. Since 2013, the current owners have undertaken an extensive and sensitive renovation, transforming the farmhouse into an exceptional family home and the former outbuildings into boutique, self-contained holiday lets. The result is a harmonious blend of heritage and modern design—an idyllic collection of buildings surrounded by thoughtfully curated gardens.

The owners' meticulous attention to detail and unique design sensibility have seen the property featured in numerous interiors publications, including Country Living Modern Rustic, Homes & Antiques, and The Telegraph Magazine. Middle Colenso Farm is also set to appear in The Home Bird: Creating Joyful Interiors Where Old Meets New, to be published by Octopus in September.

THE TOUR

Middle Colenso is a place to close the door on the world outside and find calm. Meticulously renovated, the house and cottages balance modern simplicity with Cornish heritage, infused with a touch of Scandinavian elegance. Every detail, from their natural materials to carefully curated finishes, has been thoughtfully designed and reflects a deep respect for the buildings’ history and their surrounding landscape.

Beyond the characterful façades, the interiors exude warmth and tranquillity. As you step through the front door of the main house, you’re welcomed by a series of peaceful living spaces, each bathed in soft light and brimming with natural materials and wood finishes including Dinesen Douglas fir flooring and cabinetry throughout, and design treasures such as Vola taps and showers.

The bespoke kitchen is centred around a Total Control Aga, while the adjoining scullery offers a walk-in pantry, laundry area, and ample storage space. Softly rendered walls, original exposed stonework, and warm timbers create a tactile and calming Scandinavian sensibility, imbuing the home with an understated elegance and a quiet serenity. The living room retains its original inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove, and there is a charming conservatory that flows directly from the dining room—perfect for morning coffee or quiet reading.

Upstairs, a family bathroom and three tranquil bedrooms, including an impressive principal suite, await. Just across the way, a large at-home office is housed in a beautifully restored former cob and granite barn, now a magnificent library with an open fire—a space that truly elevates remote working.

In addition to the main house, three charming cottages are nestled within the grounds. Blending rustic charm with natural materials, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, they offer versatile accommodation and an established rental income.

The Old Granary


The largest of the three cottages, The Old Granary offers spacious reverse-level living, with an open-plan kitchen-dining and sitting area on the first floor featuring a wood-burning stove, three bedrooms below and a private fully-enclosed garden with gazebo.

Carter’s Croft


A celebration of tactile materials and soft warm hues, Carter’s Croft’s has been fully restored and finished in lime. The cottage features a charming open-plan living area with a handmade wooden kitchen and wood burning stove, while two bedrooms and a bathroom sit upstairs.

Smugglers Lane


The smallest of the cottages, this one-level retreat features an open-plan living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wood burning stove, a separate bespoke ply kitchen, and a stylish wet room with vola shower and taps. The cottage was named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of Cornwall's 20 best holiday cottages in 2024. 

STEP OUTSIDE

The gardens are a defining feature of this enchanting home, surrounding the house with courtyards, lawns, mature shrubs, a vibrant flower garden, and a thriving collection of espaliered fruit trees set within a beautiful walled garden. Lovingly cultivated across 1.2 acres, they form a plantsman’s paradise, featuring exotic species, potting sheds, vegetable beds, and thoughtfully landscaped areas framed by verdant borders.

Designed to create a sense of privacy between the main house and the cottages, the grounds are accessed via a private driveway leading to a discreet parking area and single garage. A greenhouse, potting shed, workshop/pottery studio and a gardener’s WC sit within easy reach, while the main garden also enjoys a tranquil pond and an inviting outdoor dining area with fire pit—perfect for gathering in all seasons.

Each cottage benefits from its own private courtyard, offering idyllic spaces for alfresco dining. Nestled within the grounds, a wood-fired sauna, a boules court, and a light-filled fitness studio further enhance the sense of sanctuary. Above all, the gardens offer a profound sense of privacy and calm, with peaceful corners to unwind and fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings.

SERVICES 

Mains electricity, private water and drainage and oil fired central heating. FTTP (Fibre To The Premises) broadband.

Please be aware we cannot confirm that all these services comply with current regulations

EPC RATINGS

Middle Colenso Farm E, The Old Granary D, Carter’s Croft D, Smuggler’s Lane D

DISTANCES (all distances approximate)

Prussia Cove 2 miles, Perranuthnoe 2 miles, Praa Sands 2.5 miles, Penzance 7 miles, St Ives 10 miles

WHAT3WORDS LOCATION

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COUNCIL TAX BAND

Middle Colenso Farm

E

BUSINESS RATES (for the 3 letting units)

£7,300

NOTE As of March 2025, this rateable value qualifies for Small Business Rates Relief