It is hard not to feel more than a little bit smug when renting this gem of a coastal chic cottage because its exactly the kind of place people harbour fantasies about living in. Nestled in the heart of the exceptionally pretty and quaint village of Cawsand, just a few steps from its sandy bay, winding cobbled streets and pastel-coloured Georgian houses, Blue Monkey offers a taste of the good life, by the sea with the beach on the doorstep and romantic log fires and claw foot baths inside. It is the perfect bolthole to escape to for a bit of family rejuvenation any time of year, whether beach combing and rock pooling in winter with hot chocolate and log fires, or beachside picnics, buckets and spades and long lazy evenings on the terrace in summer.
It comes as no surprise to learn the house has had something of a celebrity following, although going back some years to when Nelson was commonly spotted dancing in the lounge in its previous incarnation as the local tap house! Nowadays, thanks to a 12 month labour of love by the young couple who own it, its picture-perfect Grade II listed, exterior hides a beautifully renovated interior with five spacious and an four glamorous bathrooms, including two with deep and indulgent free-standing baths. Mini guests are well catered for with a travel cot, highchair and a stair gate at the top of the second floor stairs, where they are commonly accommodated in the pretty twin bedroom. The enclosed terrace garden at the rear is a lovely space for little legs to stretch, although the beach just a 30 second dash from the door, is often a stronger draw, especially since kayaks and paddle boards are provided for guests use too!
Accommodation Overview:
The spacious open plan living/dining area is a lovely spot for cosy family nights thanks to its plentiful comfy seats, exposed stone walls, wood burner, television with Sky package, DVD, VHS and CD player plus a handy range of books, DVDs and board games. The dining room is bright and airy thanks to its white washed walls warmed by a stone feature fireplace and large wood dining table with seating for up to 10 guests. The dining area also provides access to the lovely courtyard garden with BBQ and seating area. It is quite a suntrap and an idyllic spot for morning coffee, lazy afternoons or evening meals al fresco. The large kitchen is well equipped for families and stylishly kitted out with an electric oven, grill, hob, fridge freezer, wine/beer fridge, dishwasher, microwave, food blender, plus a casual dining area perfect for breakfast time. There is a separate utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer plus a second access door to the garden.
The house now offers five bedrooms. The master suite is a perfect retreat for frazzled parents, with a lovely double bed and en-suite bathroom with romantic roll top bath. The second bedroom, a further double, is another haven with a contemporary white theme and a scattering of antique pieces. It has 'Jack & Jill' access doors to the main bathroom. The second floor is home to a further double bedroom with original fireplace and shared shower room with the twin bedroom, which also has a lovely feature fireplace. A further twin room with bunk beds has been added which is perfect for children. There is a fourth shower room on the ground floor which is ideal for washing off days at the beach before settling in the house for the evening. It is also handy for four-legged guests, since well behaved pets are welcome at Blue Monkey.
A welcome pack of wine, bread, milk, scones, jam, flowers and coastal magazine are provided on arrival.
Please note: A 30% refundable deposit will be requested by the owner on confirmation of reservation with the full rate payment required 6 weeks before guests stay.
Blue Monkey has been awarded by The AA their most prestigious 2017 5* Gold Award for Self-Catering Accommodation.
The Sunday Times featured Blue Monkey amongst “the UK’s Best Coastal Holiday Cottages, providing a child-friendly welcome in stylish surroundings.”
Trip Advisor rated Blue Monkey ‘Excellent’ with over 125 5* reviews
Tatler Magazine included the House in their June 2016 edition: ‘Tatler on Sea… Get the Most from the Coast!’
The historical fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand offer the perfect base for families, unspoilt by mass tourism they are postcard perfect with colour washed traditional cottages, narrow streets, friendly pubs, good restaurants, a handy deli (just a few steps from Bay House) and pretty shops. The villages are set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and said to be an artists' dream - equally a family's dream holiday and certainly the type of place classic seaside holiday memories are made for little ones.
There are several beaches to choose from nearby including the lovely sandy beach at Cawsand Bay which is great for swimming, windsurfing and waterskiing and Kingsand which is a shingle and sand beach on which dogs are allowed year round. Cawsand beach also has a passenger ferry across to Plymouth which is a larger town where you can find all the usual high street shops, independent shops, theatres and a range of restaurants, cafés and bars.
Plus around 45 minutes away, the Eden Project is a great day out plus if using the land train (tractor pulled train through the attractions) is very toddler friendly. The shop sells a great spotting book to keep kids interested and the café does decent nibbles. For an 'Enchanted Forest' experience, head to Cardinham Woods (around 45 mins away) and stumble upon the wonderful tea shop set in a centuries old woodsman's cottage, with a handy children's play area outside and useful baby-changing room.
Getting There: Cawsand is one of Cornwall's most accessible locations being just 10miles from Plymouth via passenger or car ferry across the Tamar. Plymouth is served by hourly trains from Central London taking approx. 3-3.5hours. Those without cars can take the train, then taxi to ferry terminal and passenger ferry crossing - something of an adventure for most toddlers!
Nearest Medical Services: GP in Cawsand & A & E at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Click to enlarge
Check-in time: 15:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 0%
Balance: 60 days prior to arrival
Check-in time: 15:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 0%
Balance: 60 days prior to arrival
Please note that a £500 or 30% (whichever is greater) refundable deposit will be requested by the owner on confirmation of reservation with the full rate payment required 8 weeks before guests stay.
Arrival: , Departure:
Price: GBP
Bookings of 7 nights or more made within 30 days of travelling discounted by 20%
Check-in time: 15:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 0%
Balance: 60 days prior to arrival
Please note that a £500 or 30% (whichever is greater) refundable deposit will be requested by the owner on confirmation of reservation with the full rate payment required 8 weeks before guests stay.
Arrival: , Departure:
Price: GBP
Bookings of 7 nights or more made within 30 days of travelling discounted by 20%
Hi,
We try to escape to Blue Monkey frequently with the intention of living there one day, I think you will see why when you visit.
• Blue Monkey is located in Cornwall's stunning forgotten corner where there are so many fun filled activities to do you will just have to return to try them all.
• Partially due to some great holidays and excellent reviews, the property lets out for over 80% of the year.
• Blue Monkey featured in “The Sunday Times” UK’s best holiday coastal cottages review.
• Additionally we have received over 125 Trip Advisor 5 * reviews over the past few years.
• Alistair Sawday - Included Blue Monkey as One of the Top Coastal Rental Properties for 2013.
• We aim to provide a highly personalised service and this has reflected in many bookings coming from returning customers and personal recommendations.
• Please do ask any questions that you have about Blue Monkey and the stunning local area - "the forgotten corner of Cornwall."
• I have very good knowledge of Polhawn Fort and local contacts from bike hire, to local activities chefs and fishing spots etc and would love to share one of the most beautiful places in the world to relax and unwind with you, just ask.
Best regards
Ed / (Manager Annabel)
Previous guests have said;
Upon arrival we were greeted by the most wonderful, spacious and welcoming house we have ever stayed in. Wine in the fridge, crisp Egyptian cotton sheets on the bed, fresh towels and lovely products to use. The 3 children spent the first hour just running from room to room just enjoying the light and the space before we took them on the short (30 second?) walk to the delightful beach.
The house was wonderfully equipped for children - there was a blender for making purees, Sky TV for the odd CBeebies programme!, a high chair and a stair gate at the top of the house where the children slept. Each room was decorated beautifully and kept to a very high standard, extremely clean and comfortable to live in - like a hotel! The main bedroom with it's luxurious bathroom was pure heaven - soaking in the tub with a gin and tonic after a hard day at the beach was perfection.
The beaches and the local walks were perfect for both children and adults, running routes were glorious, crabbing was entertaining and the local ale, ice cream and pasties were delicious. This is a place I can imagine returning to again and again as the children grow older - where they really can be children; running bare foot past the house with a sense of pure freedom, wielding crab nets and shrieking with laughter is something that all children should experience and Blue Monkey is the place to do it. Thank you very much for a wonderful stay. Williams Jan 2010.
At Blue Monkey there are the following baby / child friendly items (NB certain items may left in different locations to what is stated below):
Kitchen:
· 2* High chairs - (they are wooden backed with no padding provided. We have found most guests like to bring their own high chair cushions / use fresh clean towels to comfort their
· Baby Place Setting
· Melamine Feeding Set
· Bucket & spades / Boules (please wash to remove sand and dry before storing to prevent rusting by drying them after use) / fishing nets / body boards / crab lines / boomerangs – see tall kitchen cupboard
Living room:
· A good selection of children's books, DVDs and toys, primarily targeted at children aged 4-7 are available, and our collection of younger books and toys is growing.
· Fun Blocks
First floor under back bedroom bed / in trunk:
· 3* Cots - (no sheets are provided on the basis that most parents prefer to bring their own) Please call Holiday Home Management when making the booking if you would like extra sheets)
· Baby bath
· Beach tent with sun shade
· Socket protectors
· Baby door-bouncer
· Day travel rucksack
· Black out blind
First floor front bedroom trunk:
· Stair gate * 2
Garden:
· A garden treasure trove of; buckets and spades, fishing nets, crabbing lines, body boards etc. (Please clean before returning)
![]() |
Sleeps 10 +2 cots in 3 double bedrooms, a twin room and a bunk bed room. There are 4 bathrooms. |
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![]() | Plymouth, Exeter and Newquay airports are within 2 hours drive. |
![]() | Many beautiful beaches within a short drive plus a sandy bay just a few minutes walk away. |
![]() | Blue Monkey is just 30m from the beach. |
![]() | A short walk to a selection of shops and eateries. |
![]() | Dinner parties by a local caterer can be pre-booked. |
![]() | Trusted local babysitting contacts are available on request |
![]() | There is a whole host of baby gear provided including: 3 travel cots, 2 high chairs, stairgate, baby bath, baby door-bouncer, Babyway portable audio monitor, day travel rucksack, fun blocks, beach tent with sun shade, socket covers and baby door-bouncer. Plus the kitchen is equipped with dishwasher, washing machine and microwave for an extra easy trip. |
![]() | The house comes with a selection of toys and books including board games. There is also Sky TV for that all important Cbeebies, stereo and a DVD player with library of over 100 DVD's (child and parent friendly) for rainy days and quiet nights in. |
![]() | Also provided are the essential tools for a British seaside visit with little ones - buckets and spades. |
![]() | Stairgates are provided |
![]() | The house has a pretty private terrace. |
![]() | Fibre optic broadband is provided. |
![]() | Well behaved pets are welcomed. |
![]() | The Whitsand Bay course is around 20 minutes away but for serious golfers, a day at nearby St Mellion (under 45mins away) is a must - Jack Nicklaus called it "potentially the finest golf course in Europe. |
![]() | There are 3 travel cots and 2 highchairs. |
![]() | The house has a log burner. |
Please click the text to scroll through reviews.
This property catered well for the ages ranging from 67 year to 23 months in our party - we have never stayed in such a well equipped baby friendly friendly holiday home!Review dated 26/09/2012
Lovely house, perfect location and very baby friendly. Would recommend any time of year.Review dated 25/03/2011
We chose the Blue Monkey over other holiday homes because of the baby facilities, location, log fire, free wifi and the number of bathrooms. On our arrival there was a cream tea set out on the kitchen table, nice touch. The property was spacious, comfortable and high quality. The week we were there the weather was very cold but the house was warm especially with the log burner in the evenings. Definitely met our expectations. The Blue Monkey is perfect for families but groups of adults too. Would recommend to either. We loved the Eden project which is about one hour to drive. Also a fantastic marine aquarium in Plymouth is worth a visit. On the doorstep beautiful beaches and walks along the coast. The local pubs have excellent Cornish beers, serve good food and are within easy walking distance.We are looking forward to staying at the Blue Monkey again.Review dated 21/03/2013
Blue Monkey provided all that we could have wished for - spacious, well equipped, with very thoughtful provision for the youngest member of our party ( 23months). We had a great get- together with our family in honour of our 45th anniversary, and would recommend it to anyone planning a celebratory break ! We also loved the proximity to the sea , and found the shops stocked local produce. Our favourite beach was Whitsand Bay - well worth a trek down the cliff path to a beautifully quiet, sandy beach. We wished we could have stayed longer !Review dated 21/03/2013
Just what we needed After a hectic couple of months (return
to work after maternity leave) we were looking for a retreat that would allow us
to unwind and slow everything down. We found Blue Monkey by chance and were
delighted when we got there. The welcome pack was comprehensive and gave us all
the info we needed to get started. When we arrived the house was a revelation.
Lots of space for our little man to bomb about and everything we needed to make
ourselves at home. There is real character in this house and it formed a great
base to explore Cawsand and beyond. If you are looking for a retreat that allows
flexibility for a young family in an area with lots to do then the Blue Monkey
is a great choice. We would happily recommend it to our family and
friends. ...Review dated 13/09/2010
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"Fantastic" My family and I had the most amazing week here and have already booked for next year. The house was large enough and comfortable for four adults and two children. Would also recommend the Devonport inn under new ownership and only in its second week of trading, be sure to try it.Review dated 13/07/2010
Upon arrival we were greeted by the most wonderful, spacious and welcoming house we have ever stayed in. Wine in the fridge, crisp Egyptian cotton sheets on the bed, fresh towels and lovely products to use. The 3 children spent the first hour just running from room to room just enjoying the light and the space before we took them on the short (30second?) walk to the delightful beach. The house was wonderfully equipped for children - there was a blender for making purees, Sky TV for the odd CBeebies programme!, a high chair and a stair gate at the top of the house where the children slept. Each room was decorated beautifully and kept to a very high standard, extremely clean and comfortable to live in - like a hotel! The main bedroom with it's luxurious bathroom was pure heaven - soaking in the tub with a gin and tonic after a hard day at the beach was perfection. The beaches and the local walks were perfect for both children and adults, ...Review dated 02/02/2010
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*Ratings by verified BFB guests who stayed here with young children.
Rated by 4 guests.