Suzanne, our holiday blogger, meets Steve and Geraldine Dillingham, owners of Halwyn Holidays, Helston, on a family holiday in the Lizard Peninsula.
When Steve and Geraldine Dillingham decided to take the plunge and make their holiday dream of relocating to the remote Lizard peninsula come true, it was a leap of faith for the couple and their two children.
Their choice of home was the converted Halwyn holiday farmstead located along narrow lanes about 2.5 miles out of St Keverne, a small village “in the middle of nowhere”. They purchased the property in March 2006 and moved from Weston-Super-Mare where they had many friends.
Geraldine and Steve with Dog Somerfield
“Everyone warned us that we would feel isolated,” says Geraldine, who hails from Bedfordshire – “they also said that the Cornish people would not be friendly – but they were wrong. The people here love visitors and they are welcoming to anyone who wants to come and live and contribute to the community.
A visit to the Lizard Peninsula out-of-season proves that inland village communities such as St Keverne are full of life. We were charmed by the old-fashioned painted Christmas decorations around the village square, thriving high class butchers, friendly local shops - even a post office and a wonderful drop-in surgery (called upon after our eldest sprained her wrist skating at the Eden Project).
Time warp – the village square, St Keverne
It was important for the Dillingham children, then 11 and 16, to be part of the decision to move. “We all wanted Halwyn,” says Geraldine, “especially the kids – though we made it clear to them that it would be a family effort to run the complex and they would have to pull their weight – which they agreed.”
The Halwyn complex boasts an indoor pool featuring detailed animal murals by a local artist, and two acres of landscaped lawns with sub-tropical gardens around a stream and lake.
Halwyn was converted from a farm way back in the 70’s, but when the Dillinghams took over there was a lot of upgrading to be done. As well as the large farmhouse there is a grain store converted into matching two double-bedroom maisonettes, an ex-piggery hosting an indoor pool and a three bedroom courtyard cottage – and this all required a complete makeover. Now boasting well-appointed kitchens and bathrooms, and charmingly-decorated bedrooms and living rooms adorned with local artists’ images of the Cornish coast, the cottages create a very welcoming environment.
With the eldest child now in college, the gruelling round of cleaning, decorating, administration, marketing and maintenance that goes along with owning four homes keeps the remaining three Dillinghams fully-occupied year round, with help brought in only at the highest point of the season. “It’s about ten times more work than we expected,” says Steve cheerfully. Nevertheless, the couple still find time to run a B&B and evening meal service from the farmhouse, and entertain their visitors once a week with a barbeque on the terrace throughout the summer months. “We ask people to bring their own drinks. It’s a great way for everyone to make friends. Some families have ended up booking weeks together the following year.”
Geraldine has developed a special knack for the details that make sure guests are above all comfortable. “We made a list of all the best things about all the holiday places we’d been,” she said, “and we have tried to put them into practice.”
For our family - mum, dad and two under 10’s - an exhausted arrival after a 7-hour drive was lifted by the joy of finding a luxury box of thickly-coated chocolate biscuits to complement the supplies of fresh milk, tea and home-made mince pies. The pleasure only deepened as we found a welcome hamper containing a bottle of wine, packet of coffee and fresh fruit, then a bale of thick luxury towels on our very comfortable beds – and a nice “spa” touch - fresh towels by the poolside for our sauna and swim, laundered every time. (And just in case they were laying it on for Internet Cottages – I checked the visitors’ book!)
Child 2 enjoys a game of pooh-sticks on the stream
Other fun touches include a huge pile of board games and videos free to raid from the pool conservatory, and an instantly warming coal-effect burner in the lounge to create a cosy atmosphere. It was notable that despite the wealth of local beaches and visitor attractions, my two children were reluctant to go out some days. This may be not surprising given it was January and the weather was a little chilly (although several degrees warmer than the rest of the country) but there is a Halwyn effect - noted by Steve: “It’s amazing - so many people tell us that their kids don’t want to leave here. They’re happy making friends or playing board games – like they are rediscovering family life as it used to be”
I for one discovered why Halwyn has many devotees. If you want to discover a self -catering holiday combining family hospitality with five star touches at affordable cottage prices then you had better book ahead! Prices start from £390.00 for a week for four to six people. Bed and breakfast is available from £30.00 per person per night.
Link to Halwyn
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www.internet-cottages.com late deal at a gem of a cottage, The Saltings, in Blakeney, on the beautiful North Norfolk Coastline – perfect for a new year’s day stroll.
Sleeping 6, this charming former fisherman’s cottage has been furnished to an exceptional standard, with open plan living, inglenook fireplace and woodburner and is well located for local amenities.
