Historic Hotels in Cornwall: Falmouth, Newquay, Padstow, more

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The Falmouth Hotel. Falmouth.

The foundation stone of this grand seafront hotel was laid on August 6 1863, and ever since it has been welcoming visitors to the historic port from all over the world.

Numerous well-known figures have stayed over the years, including the Prince of Wales – the future King Edward VII – and more than a handful of household names in the post-war era. However, the hotel’s most notable historic connection is that to one of childrens’ literature’s greatest names: Beatrix Potter. Indeed, it was while on holiday with her family at the Falmouth Hotel that she penned her very first “picture letter”. Dated March 11, 1892, it was the first such illustrated note in the style that would later become her trademark. It concludes:

“These are two little dogs that live in the hotel, and two tame seagulls, and a great many cocks and hens in the garden. I am going today to a place called the Lizard, so I have no time to draw any more pictures, and I remain yours affectionately, Beatrix Potter.”

For more information and secure online booking go straight to the Falmouth Hotel’s details at Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com

The Greenbank Hotel. Falmouth.

“There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.“ So said the Water Rat in Wind In The Willows.

And there are few places more worth messing about in boats than Falmouth. Overlooking the third largest natural harbour in the world, The Greenbank Hotel is widely accepted as the place where some of the most beloved characters in children’s literature were brought to life.

Writing to his son during his stay in 1907, author Kenneth Grahame created Mr Toad, The Water Rat and Moley as short stories to entertain young Alastair who remained in London. Reproductionsof the letters penned at The Greenbank Hotel are on display along with the signature of Florence Nightingale - another notable past visitor to Falmouth’s oldest hotel. The building, which dates from the mid-seventeenth century, previously served as a base for the captains of the world-renowned packet ships during the time when the town was one of the British Empire’s most important ports. Indeed, news of Lord Nelson’s victory - and death - at The Battle of Trafalgar was first landed at Falmouth. Booking.com | LateRooms | Lastminute.com

The Headland Hotel. Newquay.

Built to be the “finest hotel in the South West”, in little over a century the Headland Hotel has played host to King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (on several occasions), and the royal princes who would later become Edward VIII and George VI. The latter occupied rooms 102,103 and 104. The hotel also served as a Royal Air Force hospital during World War II. Booking.com | LateRooms

The Housel Bay Hotel. Lizard

The Housel Bay - Britain’s most southerly hotel - has entertained numerous high-profile guests since opening in 1894. These include George Bernard Shaw (1913) and the radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi (1900). Practical information is available with Booking.com | LateRooms

The Wellington Hotel. Boscastle

Along this part of the rugged north Cornwall coast, Boscastle is the only natural harbour for twenty miles - and an unmistakable one at that. And at its centre lies the Wellington Hotel; one of the area’s oldest coaching inns whose roots lie back in the 16th Century

A fair few of Britain’s nobility have rested at “The Welly”, including King Edward VII. But arguably the most renowned figure to stay at the hotel is Thomas Hardy: the author and poet whose works continue to grip the imagination of present day readers. Indeed, Boscastle’s connection to the creator of Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d’Urbervilles is rather under-appreciated - it was here that he first met his wife, Emma Gifford, while restoring nearby St. Juliot’s Church. Moreover, Hardy’s third book, A Pair of Blue Eyes, gains much of its inspiration from the striking scenery around the village. Other famous guests include the acclaimed Victorian actor, Sir Henry Irving, and one of Britain’s greatest military heroes, Guy Gibson VC (leader of the World War II Dambuster’s raid) who once described the Wellington as his “favourite hostelry”. TripAdvisor

Tregarthen’s. St. Mary’s, Scillonia.

The Isles of Scilly – never refer to them as the Scilly Isles! – are like nowhere else on Earth: a tiny archipelago 20 miles off the Cornish coast where the hustle and bustle of 21st Century life is kept at bay. The islands – St.Mary’s, St. Martin’s, Tresco, and others – have long been a refuge for those seeking quietitude and a sense of community long since lost from almost everywhere else. Indeed, Tregarthen’s has played an important role in making Scillonia a travel destination – it is, after all, the islands’ original hotel.

Founded in 1848 by Captain Frank Trevarthen, the building was developed from his home into a guest house to accommodate those individuals travelling between Penzance and St. Mary’s on his steam packet ship ‘Little Western’. One such famous visitor, the poet Lord Alfred Tennyson, is widely thought to have written Enoch Arden whilst a guest at the hotel. TripAdvisor

More Period Accommodation in Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly...

Bodmin

White Hart Inn, The. A grade-II listed inn dating from the 16th century. Expedia

Bolventor

Jamaica Inn. Its title is, of course, inextricably linked to the Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name. The inn’s existence, though, predates the book by a long way - most of the building was constructed in 1750. For more practical information see Booking.com

Fowey

Fowey Hall Hotel. Some say this was the inspiration for Wind in the Willow’s Toad Hall. Booking.com | Lastminute.com

Old Quay House, The. A contemporary boutique hotel with stunning views housed in a building dating back to the mid-1800‘s. More information is available with LateRooms

Lanivet

St. Benet’s Abbey. A fascinating, off-the-beaten-track bed & breakfast built in 1411. LateRooms

Liskeard

Great Trethew Manor Hotel. Set amid 30 acres of gardens and meadows, the hotel offers accommodation both within the main building and in separate cottages. LateRooms

Lostwithiel

Royal Oak, The. Effectively a restaurant with rooms, The Royal Oak dates back as far as the 12th century and is close to Restormel Castle. LateRooms

Mawnan

Trerose Manor. Bed & Breakfast accommodation in a delightful Cornish manor house near to the splendid Helford River. More details

Padstow

Old Custom House, The. Historic former premises of HM Customs & Excise, as the name suggests. LateRooms

Molesworth Manor. Situated just a couple of miles outside Padstow in Little Petherick, Molesworth Manor is a fine 17th century country house that formerly acted as a rectory. Offering bed & breakfast accommodation, all of its ten rooms are individually furnished and individually named. Booking.com

Portloe

Lugger Hotel, The. Famous waterside hotel built during the 17th century and once a renowned haunt of smugglers. Booking.com | LateRooms

Ruan Highlanes

Little Roseland. Bed and breakfast accommodation in am early 18th century property on the beautiful Roseland peninsula. LateRooms

St. Agnes

Rose in Vale Country House Hotel. A splendid Georgian manor house. LateRooms

St. Austell

Boscundle Manor. The former home of a mine captain, Boscundle Manor dates from 1767. LateRooms

Tintagel

Camelot Castle Hotel. Close to the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, Camelot Castle Hotel is a Victorian mock castle which is said to have been visited by a fair few notable figures of the early twentieth century. LateRooms

Wadebridge

Tredethy Country Hotel. Country mansion once owned by Prince Chula of Siam. Booking.com | LateRooms

Trehellas Country House Hotel. Rural former coaching inn dating from the 18th century. Booking.com | LateRooms

For more period accommodation try our sections on Historic Holiday Cottages and Beautiful English Villages

We are hoping to expand and improve our section devoted to historic hotels and inns in Cornwall soon. If you know of anywhere you believe should be featured, please let us know. We are particularly interested in places associated with historic figures and events, but also seek to provide the visitor with options to avoid bland, modern hotels. As such, we welcome inclusions on country house hotels, traditional inns and other quality accommodation from Land’s End to Launceston. The Duchy is particularly favoured by those seeking romantic places to stay.

Historic Hotels in Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly

If you can’t find it below, see all Cornwall hotels at LateRooms, Booking.com, Lastminute.com, Hotels.com

Fowey Hall

Tredethy House

The Lugger Hotel