Following the success of its first series in 2022, Channel 5’s Cornwall: A Year by the Sea returns to our screens this year, with a special appearance from Unique Homestays. The series offers a glimpse into life in Cornwall, following a cast of local characters from farmers to fishermen and, this time, some of our very own team, properties and homeowners.
Episode three
In episode three, broadcast on 11th June, viewers are first invited into Coswarth, the private home of Unique Homestays’ founder, Sarah Stanley. Alongside Operations Director and niece Kahdine, Operations Manager and daughter Morgane, and Head of Portfolio Curation and long-time family friend Jess, Sarah reflects on life behind the scenes at Unique Homestays, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary year.
Unique Homestays' founder Sarah Stanley, and her private manor COSWARTH
The programme then follows Jess to Whitsand Bay, where she visits seaside cabin The Beach Shack, enjoying its expansive coastal views and brand new yoga deck. From there, she heads on to tour architectural beach house Liminal ahead of its first guests, meeting homeowners Wendy and John along the way. Here, they describe the "unique magic" of Cornwall, and reflect on their desire to create a home that displays their longstanding connection to the county, now established.
Liminal in Seaton and The Beach Shack in Portwrinkle
Episode five
In episode five, broadcast last night, the programme centres on two of Unique Homestays' most iconic heritage homes – The Signal Station on The Lizard and Morse in Porthcurno. Here, we discover both properties' past lives and the important roles they played in Cornwall's rich history.
The Signal Station was created as a beacon of safety for passing boats in an area once notorious for shipwrecks, and now stands transformed as a one-of-a-kind coastal hideaway, complete with a rooftop terrace designed to capitalise on its sweeping sea views atop the rugged Lizard Peninsula. Morse, in an idyllic slice of West Cornwall near Porthcurno and Pedn Vounder's golden sanded beaches, was a former World War II bunker. Still complete with original features, like the Ministry of Defence grade concrete, the unique home has been converted into a light-filled bolthole with designer furniture, a "gin and tonic" terrace and hot tub for sunset soaks.
The Signal Station on The Lizard and Morse in Porthcurno
Watch the episodes on Channel5.com or discover the best places to stay in Cornwall.
