Isolde
Lanivet, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK
Near the wilds of Cornwall’s Bodmin Moor, this country manor balances centuries of character with contemporary luxury. Tudor in origin, with a bright, south-facing Georgian wing added in 1739, it wears its history proudly, yet embraces a mood-boosting colour scheme and modern amenities. Inside, the house invites both rest and revelry, with a sauna, cinema room and games room with a table tennis and a pool table. Outside, acres of grounds unfurl, featuring a heated pool and hot tub.
Introduction
Isolde’s origins trace back to William the Conqueror, who gifted the original manor to his half-brother in the 11th century. It later passed into the hands of the distinguished Courtenay family – Henry Courtenay, cousin of Henry VIII, was charged with high treason for plotting to overthrow the King. Traces of its Tudor past endure in the stone doorway arch of the kitchen pantry and in the Courtenay initials carved into granite in the hallway. The 18th century brought the elegant Georgian alterations visible today, before the Victorian era recast the house as a working dairy farm. Now, following a sensitive restoration by its previous owner and a vibrant awakening of colour under its current family, history and modern living coexist.
Inside
A practically edible colour palette and a Cornish art collection that includes works by Fred Yates, Simeon Stafford, Gill Watkiss and Kurt Jackson bring individuality to every corner of Isolde. The dining room, swathed in jam red, invites unhurried meals prepared on the Aga in the farmhouse kitchen opposite. Upstairs, high-ceilinged bedrooms in soft, pudding shades of yogurt pink and greengage create a restful atmosphere where handpicked antiques sit beside contemporary pieces: a walnut chaise longue, latticed rattan chairs and a pendant light with the colour and form of crème caramel. This is a home that both indulges and nourishes, from the cosy cinema snug and games room to a spacious wellness area complete with a sauna and relaxation space.
Outside
Step outside and 10 acres of verdant grounds unfold. The paved terrace features a large heated swimming pool, flanked by six sun loungers primed for idle afternoons, whilst a hot tub beckons for evening soaks beneath the stars. A walled kitchen garden, avenue of lime trees and a small knot garden – a popular Tudor-style design that nods to the manor’s history – yields to a wilder charm further down the gardens, where sheep graze and a wildlife pond comes complete with a rowing boat. The grounds are as restorative as the house itself, offering ample opportunity to pause and play. Sitting in the centre of Cornwall, at the midpoint of the Saints’ Way and close to Bodmin Moor, Isolde is ideally placed for exploring the county's wilder reaches.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 12 guests
From £3,995 per week, £2,995 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 8 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are six bedrooms in total, four on the first floor and two on the second floor. The four first floor bedrooms comprise of three doubles and a zip-and-link, all of which are en suite. The second floor has a further double bedroom and a twin bedroom which share a shower room, also on the second floor.
View bedrooms - FeaturesOutdoor heated swimming pool (available May - September inclusive), hot tub, sauna, cinema room with projector and a games room with table tennis and pool table
- PetsYes, two dogs (over the age of six months) are very welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. A cot and a highchair are provided.
- PracticalitiesThe kitchen is fully equipped and features an oven, Aga, microwave, dishwasher fridge, freezer, coffee machine and wine fridge. The utility room houses a washer/dryer. There is ample parking for multiple cars. Whilst dogs are welcome, the garden is not enclosed and there is livestock in the adjacent fields. Please supervise children as the pool and pond are unfenced. The owners live within the grounds and the gardener and pool cleaner tend to the property once a week.
- Homestay includesA luxury welcome hamper of local produce, WiFi internet, gas barbecue, Smart TVs, iPad, cinema projector, luxury toiletries, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options.
Explore private dining - RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenaline-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Bodmin Moor
Rising mounds of imposing granite, deep valleys brimming with coiling forests and remote villages hunkered around community inns roaring with welcoming laughter; Bodmin Moor is as wild and free as it is intriguing.
Getting there
- On the Map Isolde sits near to the village of Lanivet in the centre of Cornwall.
- By Car Approximately four and a half hours from London.
- By Train Bodmin Parkway is the nearest train station, 15 minutes away by car.
- By Air Exeter airport is an hour and a half away whereas Newquay Airport is 25 minutes away.
From the owner
“"Here, time is best spent drinking tea by the pool, listening to Lanivet Church bells, sitting quietly by the ponds observing the wildfowl, and catching glimpses of Roe Deer."”
We have strong Cornish roots, having both grown up locally. We have been fortunate enough to have lived at Isolde for the past 15 years, where our family has grown up and now flown the nest. It is time for a new chapter, and we are delighted to share our home with you.
The manor sits in the very heart of Cornwall, at the midpoint of the Saints’ Way. It is a haven for nature, offering privacy and extensive countryside views, whilst also providing excellent access to all parts of the county.
The vision for Isolde was to create a luxurious and individual family home in which to relax, enjoy, and spend time together in beautiful surroundings. Over the years, we have filled it with colour, along with a collection of distinctive Cornish artwork and antique furniture sourced from across the UK and abroad.
There is a great sense of history here. The kitchen and garden room date from the 16th century, while the main house was built in 1739. Outside, an avenue of 200-year-old lime trees leads down towards the ponds and is said to have once formed part of a walk to the village church. In the field are rare-breed Coloured Ryeland sheep, historically kept for their fine wool; it is said that Queen Victoria insisted her stockings were made only from this.
James and Jeanette
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Bodmin Moor with an insider's perspective.
To Eat
Fern, Bodmin
Fern is led by Michelin-trained chef Paul Welburn and showcases the very best of seasonal Cornish produce. Expect modern British dishes with a nostalgic touch.
To Do
Lanhydrock House and Garden, Bodmin
A Victorian country estate set within extensive parkland near Bodmin, Lanhydrock House and Garden offers elegant interiors, formal gardens and miles of scenic woodland trails to explore.
To Do
Polzeath Beach
One of North Cornwall´s best Blue Flag beaches, heralded for its world-quality surf and 500 metres of golden sand at low tide. There´s a choice of beachside restaurants to enjoy nearby.
To Eat
The Tartan Fox, Newquay
In the verdant Cornish countryside, The Tartan Fox is a refined British pub and restaurant by chef Adam Handling, serving dishes that champion sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're curious about pet policies, the nearest walkable pubs, or wild swimming spots, we have the answers to common property-specific queries here. For everything else, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
26 of the UK’s loveliest stays with private saunas
The Times
May 2026The best log cabins in the UK
Condé Nast Traveller
May 2026Spring travel news
British Travel Journal
March 2026Demand for Easter staycations soars
The Times
March 2026Better with friends
ELLE
March 2026The 26 cosiest cottages in Britain
Daily Mail
March 2026Meeting the brief
Ireland´s Homes Interiors & Living
March 2026Britain is in bloom!
The Times
March 2026
Collections > Family-friendly self-catering > UK > Cornwall > Bodmin Moor > Isolde
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
