Penare House, Mevagissey

The review I wrote earlier seems to have been seriously edited. Penare House is very difficult to navigate, especially if you are a small child or elderly. The parking space is quite inadequate for two cars as it is ver overgrown and the way to get to the house is difficult and could be treacherous. You have to walk along the top of what was the wall to a gate, across the lawn and up some wooden steps that are rickety and could be slippery in wet weather. The house is roomy but shabby. It was clean and the pack left for us was very welcome. It has so much potential and so much character it’s a pity it’s been allowed to look so sad.

On arrival, we found the advertised car spaces for two would have been more possible if the over grown plants had been cut back and even the removal of the dilapidated garage would help accommodate more vehicles to the amount of guests that the property can cater for. The then so called steps to get to the property with all your luggage to the rear, firstly the narrow concrete steps and walking on top of the wall, secondly to the rotten wooden steps to the door, was precarious at best. The house could look amazing, it has so many large rooms, but look and feel very tired. It has so much potential if a little money could be spent on it. The original features are amazing, they just need to be complimented. It smelt old and damp and felt I was visiting someone in an OAP’s home. In the lounge a rug lay with a big burn hole, the sofas had seen better days. It would be really helpful if there were more sockets and mirrors next to sockets in the bedrooms, I had to get on my knees to plug in charges and change for a hairdryer and stretch to try and get to the only mirror in the room and mine has a long lead. I felt the price did not reflect the property conditions.

This is a lovely house, very comfortable with ample bathrooms and in keeping with the area and it's age. All amenities are provided for and the housekeeper is excellent in contact and helpful with local information. We went in two cars and there was plenty of parking. It's on the top of a hill and if you walk a little down the road and cut through a small housing estate you're able to walk down the coast path and steps into the town, thereby overseeing the harbour. We love going this time of the year as the sea can be quite dramatic. Just be aware of leaving it too late as the town does start to close down for the end of the season.