How a centuries-old Cornish cottage became the boutique retreat it is today
When we first crossed the little stone bridge and stepped through the garden gate at Little Beside, we knew we’d found somewhere special.
Not because it was perfect.
Far from it.
The cottage was tired. The interiors had changed little over the years, and many of the details that made the building so unique had become hidden beneath practical updates and the passage of time. Yet despite that, the magic was still there.
It was there in the sound of the stream running beneath the bridge. In the granite walls that have stood for centuries. In the old clome oven once used for baking Cornish pasties. In the tiny stone fridge window, where food was kept cool long before modern refrigeration existed. And in the feeling that this was a place with stories to tell.
We didn’t want to change Little Beside.
We wanted to uncover it.
A Cottage with Centuries of History
Little Beside dates back to the late 1700s and sits quietly on the edge of Bodmin Moor in the village of St Breward.
Built from local stone and tucked beside a bubbling stream, it is exactly the kind of Cornish cottage that feels woven into the landscape around it.
For more than two centuries, people have crossed the same bridge, opened the same gate and stepped through the same front door. Farmers, families, workers and villagers have all called this little corner of Cornwall home at one time or another.
Many of the cottage’s original features remain today.
The clome oven still sits proudly within the fireplace – a reminder of a time when pasties, bread and family meals were cooked over an open fire. Thick stone walls keep the cottage cool in summer and cosy in winter. Original beams frame the rooms, while upstairs the bedroom nestles beneath the eaves in a way that feels both intimate and timeless.
These features became the heart of the restoration.
Looking Beyond What Was There
Looking back at photographs taken before the refurbishment began, it’s incredible to see how much potential was hidden beneath the surface.
The bathroom was functional but dated.
The kitchen worked well but didn’t reflect the beauty and character of the building itself.
The summerhouse had gradually become more of a storage space than a place to sit and enjoy the garden.
Even the surrounding grounds, stream and stonework felt somewhat overlooked.
Yet the bones of the cottage were extraordinary.
What we saw wasn’t a building that needed reinventing.
What we saw was a building waiting to breathe again.
A Thoughtful Restoration
To bring that vision to life, we partnered with Phi Concepts.
From the beginning, the aim was simple: to create a luxurious retreat while preserving everything that made Little Beside special.
Rather than imposing a modern design onto a historic cottage, the approach was to work with the building itself.
Every decision was carefully considered.
Historic features were retained wherever possible. Materials were chosen for their timeless quality. Colours were inspired by the surrounding landscape of Bodmin Moor, drawing on natural textures, weathered stone and the muted beauty of the Cornish countryside.
The result is a cottage that feels both old and new.
Refined, yet authentic.
Luxurious, yet deeply connected to its roots.
Inspired by Bodmin Moor
Little Beside’s setting has always been one of its greatest treasures.
Just beyond the garden lies Bodmin Moor – a landscape of granite tors, ancient stone circles, hidden valleys and endless skies.
It is a place shaped by myth and folklore. A place where wild ponies roam freely and where the weather can transform the landscape within minutes.
The refurbishment drew subtle inspiration from this extraordinary setting.
Natural materials, soft earthy tones and carefully layered textures create a calm, grounded atmosphere throughout the cottage. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels overly designed.
Instead, the interiors allow the surrounding landscape to take centre stage.
The result is a space that encourages guests to slow down, switch off and reconnect with nature.
Creating Moments, Not Just Rooms
One of the guiding principles throughout the project was the idea that memorable stays are built around moments rather than spaces.
Morning coffee beside the stream.
Lazy breakfasts before a walk across the moor.
Afternoons spent reading in the garden.
Evenings by the fire with a glass of wine.
Long conversations beneath star-filled skies.
Every room, every detail and every finishing touch was designed with those moments in mind.
Because the best holidays are rarely about what you do.
They’re about how a place makes you feel.
The Outdoor Bath Under the Stars
Of all the additions to Little Beside, none captures that feeling quite like the outdoor bath.
Nestled within the garden and surrounded by greenery, it offers a chance to slow down completely.
By day, it’s a peaceful place to soak while listening to birdsong and the gentle sound of the stream.
By night, it becomes something even more magical.
St Breward is home to some of the darkest skies in Cornwall. On clear evenings, stars appear in astonishing numbers overhead, creating a spectacular backdrop for an evening beneath the stars.
Combined with the surrounding silence, it has quickly become one of the most memorable parts of a stay at Little Beside.
A New Chapter Begins
Looking at the photographs today, it’s hard to believe this is the same cottage.
Yet perhaps the greatest success of the refurbishment is that Little Beside still feels unmistakably like Little Beside.
The stream still bubbles beneath the bridge.
The clome oven still tells its story.
The cottage remains rooted in its history.
It simply shines a little brighter now.
Today, Little Beside welcomes guests seeking something increasingly rare – a place to slow down, reconnect and experience Cornwall at a gentler pace.
Whether you’re soaking beneath the stars, wandering across Bodmin Moor, enjoying supper at the village pub or simply listening to the stream from the garden, Little Beside offers a reminder that the most memorable escapes are often the simplest ones.
And we can’t wait to share it with you.
Thinking of visiting? Explore availability and discover Little Beside for yourself.