Damselfly
St Neot, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK
Sat on the shores of the tree-tunnelled River Warleggan and immersed deep within an England saved only for the wild at heart, Damselfly feels almost held in time. Jewelled dragonflies flutter on by, otter cubs tangle in the babbling waters and tawny owls sing sweet lullabies as the light steals from the trees and night descends. When cabin life comes calling, this reclaimed self-catering fisherman's hideout is the peaceful retreat you've been searching for.
Introduction
The secret village of St Neot is nestled in Cornwall's leafy Glynn Valley, not far from Bodmin Moor and its mythical tales of big cats. Burrowed in the crook of two rivers bursting with life, Damselfly offers a self-catering escape where city lights and burning traffic are replaced with scintillescent skies. Natural materials and soft greens echo the giant oaks outside, while underfloor heating and a roaring woodburner ensure cosy nights in the deepest of winter. A humble woodland hut turned luxury cabin, spend days bird watching from the deck and nights unwinding under the silvery moon.
Inside
With French doors leading out to a sun-drenched decking bordering the river Warleggan, Damselfly’s dreamy king-size bedroom allows nature’s sounds and sights to wash away the rhythm of life and lull into the deepest of slumbers. Organic interiors connect with nature, blurring the lines between outside and in. After a day exploring the moors or Cornish coast, retreat to the large freestanding bathtub and spend an hour or two watching dippers bob on the rocks surrounding the lake, glass of wine perched on the windowsill, before hunkering down on the sofa, the world darkening outside.
Outside
Electric-blue kingfishers make the perfect companion to an al fresco breakfast on Damselfly’s decking where the cool river flows underneath, glimmering with dappled sunlight. There are several trails upon trails to explore from the front door (including up locally renowned Cardiac Hill!), but once walking boots are kicked off and toes snug in thick socks, this magical Cornwall hideaway in the Glynn Valley really starts to come to life; at dusk, settle under blankets and watch Daubenton’s bats flutter over the water.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £1,150 per week, £895 per short break
Day hire options are available - Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom with king-size bed, one bathroom with a free-standing bath and separate shower.
- FeaturesFire pit and fishing available in the river on prior request
- PetsSorry, no pets
- Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilySorry, no children or babies.
- PracticalitiesThere is private parking for two cars. The kitchen includes a gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine, and there is a freezer and washer-dryer in the utility room. If you wish to fish for either trout or salmon (or both!), your own equipment and EA game fishing licence are required.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper with Cornish produce, Smart TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, DVD player, DAB Radio with CD player and Bluetooth, iPad, Weber Kettle charcoal barbecue, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
St Neot
In the sheltered Glynn Valley in south east Cornwall, this pretty rural village has a strong community spirit, a majestic granite church, and easy access to the rugged charm of nearby Bodmin Moor.
Getting there
- On the Map Damselfly is located in the Glynn Valley on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, near Liskeard.
- By Car From London, take the M4 toward Bath, take M5 South and A30 to Cornwall and follow the directions provided to the property.
- By Train The nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway, just two and a half miles away, with regular services to London and the rest of the country.
- By Air Newquay airport is a 30 minute drive from the cottage, with regular direct flights to London and taxis or car hire available on landing (although pre-booking is advisable).
From the owner
“It is all about the setting of this idyllic hideaway cottage beside a babbling river, where you may spot a trout or two, overlooking a lake surrounded by birds and wildlife.”
Damselfly was originally built as a fishing hut on the bank of the River Warleggan, which is a tributary to the River Fowey, a salmon and sea trout river flowing through the Glynn Valley.
My late husband and I bought the estate in the 1990s. For a couple of years, the cottage was home to a friend and his dog before renovations were carried out to include the addition of a new bedroom, en-suite and decked areas overlooking the river.
The cabin then became a holiday destination until my retirement in 2016 when I took up residence for a year whilst my new home was being constructed. It was during this time that I decided to undertake a large scale renovation of the cottage to include a full-sized bathroom, utility room, porch for wet weather gear and full underfloor heating.
In May 2018 work began to transform the cabin into the cosy, comfortable self-catering retreat it is today with its outstanding views over the river, lake and grounds. The cottage has been furnished in keeping with its past history of rustic charm, but with all modern conveniences to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
The Eliot Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in St Neot with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Don your walking boots
Damselfly is ensconced in beautiful scenery and with moorland, woodland and riverside walks right on the doorstep, getting your hike on is easy. Within a few minutes of the cottage is Cardinham Woods, perfect for hikers and cyclists.
To Eat
St Tudy Inn, Bodmin
With an ever-evolving menu created with nothing but passion for beautiful, seasonal, Cornish produce by head chef Emily Scott, the St Tudy Inn offers truly exceptional food in a charming village location in the heart of rural Cornwall.
To Do
Coastal Adventures
Surf hotspot Polzeath and yachty-Mecca Rock are just over half an hour away from Damselfly. These well-heeled haunts are popular thanks to their fine restaurants and popular water sports centre, offering water-skiing, coasteering and surfing.
To See
Camel Valley Vineyard
Enjoy an afternoon at the Camel Valley Vineyard, Cornwall´s largest vineyard, located above the River Camel. These award-winning wines have been produced here since 1989 and are best enjoyed during a pitstop along the Camel Trail.
Guest Testimonials
Wow! We had expected Damselfly to be special but it way exceeded our expectations, particularly the vast amount of totally private space available. The best property we have ever stayed in.
Wow... We have had the perfect break in this magical haven. Thank you for creating and maintaining such a special place for others to enjoy! A perfect retreat from our busy lives. We will definitely be back. Thank you!
A true piece of heaven! On what was supposed to be our honeymoon, we eagerly awaited our arrival to enjoy our newly dubbed ´pre-moon´ and we were certainly not disappointed! What a stunning, calm and enchanting cottage surrounded by such beautiful grounds. From the warm welcome to exploring the area; we fell in love! So much so, we have re-booked Damselfly for our actual honeymoon! Thank you for creating such a magical retreat.
What an enchanting way to start our honeymoon! Such stunning and peaceful surroundings, the perfect tonic after the year we´ve had. Thank you for the roses, heart-shaped chocolates and goodies. We can´t wait to come back again already! We spotted two otters just as we were leaving to send us off! Thank you!
Thank you, we have had such a wonderful break. This is such an amazing place and you have created a very special retreat! So beautifully renovated and in an idyllic setting - we love it! Thank you so much, we would love to come back again!
WOW! Thank you so much for the most beautiful and enchanting place to spend our honeymoon. Thank you for the warm welcome and goodies! We have had the most wonderful week in this little slice of paradise.
Wow! We have been blown away by this enchanting, magical place. The most amazing location, surrounded by birds, trees and wildlife in the most idyllic cottage. Thank you for creating such a wonderful place - an anniversary to always remember! Just magical!
We loved our little house in the woods so much. We are very sad to be leaving but rest assured, we will be back for more of that delicious lemon drizzle cake soon! Thank you.
What an amazing week. This place is an absolute gem, we really couldn´t have asked for more. Absolutely perfect accommodation in a beautiful location. A great way to celebrate a very special birthday. Thank you!
What an absolutely magical place! We had a wonderful time relaxing in this truly special piece of paradise. Total perfection - from shooting starts to bounding deer. It was a magical holiday that we will never forget.
I came here tired and in need of restoration in so many ways. I found peace, joy, and a new sense of life. What´s not to love about this place? A little bit of what heaven will be like, I hope. Wonderful. Thank you for everything.
Wow! After nearly four months in lockdown, what a place to discover! From the very thoughtful welcome hamper to the cottage and grounds. It´s all truly magical. Thank you.
Damselfly is just wonderful. The location, the cottage, the host; everything is perfect! Also immaculately clean. The whole holiday was just the perfect break. We were due to have been on our honeymoon, but COVID saw an end to that so we booked Damselfly as a little consolation prize, and it was just so much more than that. It’s a honeymoon destination itself - very special.
A beautiful cottage in a fantastic location and grounds. Damselfly is great to relax in no matter the weather. We have had a lovely time and the cottage is perfectly placed to explore Cornwall. What a wonderful area, we will be back.
We had a very warm welcome to this wonderfully lovely cottage with fresh flowers and delicious cake on arrival. Damselfly is set in a beautiful landscape in a beautiful county and we thoroughly enjoyed the silence and togetherness. For us, this was the perfect honeymoon. Thank you.
We have had a lovely stay at Damselfly! Watching the rain coming down outside while we were warm next to the log burner inside was bliss. The cottage is beautifully decorated and the riverside setting is wonderful. The perfect place for us to relax and unwind away from city life!
Thank you for the most magical week of our lives. Damselfly was the perfect spot for our honeymoon and we can´t wait to come back. It truly is a little slice of heaven - thank you for sharing it with us!
A beautiful bank holiday weekend in a truly lovely setting! We´ve been so lucky with the sunny weather which has shone on this gorgeous cottage and grounds in the most beautiful way! Thank you for the escape, it was brief but so welcome.
This place is a delight. The eye for details and comfort is spot on. One week here has been a dream to get away from it all. We have explored parts of Cornwall we didn´t even know existed! Thank you.
Magical! This has been the best start to married life. Thank you for sharing this magical place with us. Thank you for your kind touches, your thoughtful ways will never be forgotten and have meant so much to us. Thank you.
If only we had booked a longer stay and didn´t have to go back to normality! Such a stunning, magical spot, it really has been very relaxing. We feel lucky to have had beautiful weather which has really added to the whole experience. We hope to be back again soon. Thank you.
We have had such a wonderful time at Damselfly this weekend, despite the weather! We knew it was going to rain so we came prepared and it just added to the romance of the cottage. My husband leads a stressful life running his businesses, but I could see him relax before my eyes. It was wonderful. Damselfly is in a perfect location and we love the seclusion of the area and watching how the river changed daily - especially after a huge downpour. It is just so beautiful.
We absolutely loved it at Damselfly. The host is wonderful and the location perfect. The owner went above and beyond with personal touches, leaving a wedding card, cake and bubbles! It was immaculate and the wildlife is just amazing. We often sighted deer! So peaceful, truly a magical setting.
We came here to celebrate a 30th birthday, as well as a little babymoon break. We absolutely loved it! This is our dream home! Absolutely stunning and we do not want to leave. The bed is absolute heaven! We will miss this beautiful place.
A perfect break - the cottage is so comfortable and tranquil, we absolutely loved it. Waking up each day to the sound of the river, deciding which pool to fish, what fly to use - just living the dream! We will be back!
This is such an idyllic cabin in the woods. Every comfort is provided for and nothing could prepare us for the views and walks nearby. We had a magical week in this beautiful setting.
It´s impossible not to fall in love with this place, where else would you see a baby Tawny owl sat on your balcony!? Thank you for letting us share your magical spot of paradise.
Simply superb, a restful and relaxing trip - just what the doctor ordered. We went for long walks and saw the young buzzards and lots of wildlife from the cottage; a lovely spot to sit and watch all the activity. Many thanks to the owners for sharing this wonderful cottage and location with us!
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
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.
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Cool cottages for spring
The Times
March 2023Inside The Fable x The White Company
House & Garden
March 2023The best summer party villas
The Times
February 2023How to maximise travels in 2023
The Telegraph
February 2023The best beach villas
The Times
February 2023What´s in store for 2023 staycations?
The Telegraph
February 2023Idyllic Valentine´s Day cottages
House & Garden
February 2023Reimagine your attic
House Beautiful (USA)
February 2023
Collections > Honeymoons > UK > Cornwall > St Neot > Damselfly
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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.
