Overview
The last piece of the Coombe jigsaw
Built in the 1930s, Coombe Corner is the most recent addition to the hamlet of Coombe. Both visually and architecturally unlike the rest of the solid stone houses, its painted weatherboard and large windows represent a completely different approach to traditional Cornish architecture. The bungalow was the last building in Coombe to be acquired by The Landmark Trust and its purchase in 1984 was significant because it ensured that it was not replaced by something less suitable.
Perched above Coombe
Sitting high above the rest of Coombe, this building has lots of large windows framing the timeless Coombe valley. Coombe hamlet consists of Coombe Corner, a watermill and several other Landmarks and the parish lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cornwall is a magical county with a diverse range of places to see and things to do. The beaches at Duckpool and Sandymouth have lovely walks and great surfing respectively. The surrounding area is steeped in mystery and local folklore whilst nearby Tintagel Castle is reputed to be the birthplace of King Arthur.
All of the properties are available to rent either individually or in any combination and we find that many family groups return year after year.
See all our Landmarks at Coombe
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Map & local info
Coombe Corner is set on a hillside above the rest of the small hamlet of Coombe. The area surrounding Coombe is full of places to see and things to do. Cornwall boasts some of the finest beaches in the country and the sea at Duckpool is a short walk away from this small hamlet. Sandymouth Beach is just a 20 minute drive from Coombe and surfing is a great way to experience the coastline. Bude Sea Pool offers a more relaxing way to enjoy the water.
Boscastle Village is perfect for an afternoon out in a beautiful coastal setting. Tintagel Castle is reputedly the birthplace of King Arthur and offers a magical visit in this rugged coastal location with dramatic sea views.
Discover local walks for dogs with our friends at Walkiees.co.uk, the dog walks community. For more ideas and information on things to see and do during your stay at Coombe Corner, take a look at our Coombe Corner Pinterest page.
Please Note: The Landmark Trust does not take any responsibility and makes no warranties, representations or undertakings about the content of any website accessed by hypertext link. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. The Landmark Trust has no control over the availability of the linked pages.
See all our Landmarks at Coombe
Essential info
Do you have other questions?
Our Booking Office can help with information about each building.
History
Built in the 1930s
Coombe Corner was built in the 1930s, representing an altogether different approach to building, all light and views, compared to the hunkered-down solidity of the cottages in the valley. The plot was the last piece of land in the valley not owned by either Landmark or the National Trust and as such its acquisition in 1984, though pre-emptive, was an important one.
The first known reference to Coombe is in 1520, but the mile of sheltered valley running inland from Duckpool has been lived in continuously from very early times. A decayed earthwork in Stowe Woods at the head of the valley is an Iron Age fort and the hidden site of the hamlet is typical of ancient habitations in Cornwall. Although the earliest of the existing houses date only from the 17th century, they are likely to stand on older sites. The hamlet stands lies on the southern edge of the parish of Morwenstow. It was until recently divided between two landowners. The land west of the stream belonged from the 1540s until 1922 to the Duchy of Cornwall, as part of the manor of Eastway. The land east of the stream was originally part of the manor of Northleigh, or Lee, which until the Elizabethan period was owned by the Coplestone family, but soon afterwards passed to the Grenvilles of Stowe on the hillside above. It remained part of the Stowe estate until 1949.
Coombe is listed as one of the ‘principal villages’ of the parish of Morwenstow by Daniel Lysons in Magna Britannia Vol. III, published in 1814. This makes it sound quite big and indeed it was once much larger: in the middle of the 19th century there were between twelve and fifteen households here, but by 1891 these had shrunk to just three. By the beginning of the 20th century Coombe had become a favourite stopping place for walkers, gaining a mention in most Cornish guidebooks from the 1890s onwards. Official recognition of its landscape came in 1930 when the Council for the Protection of Rural England recommended that the whole Coombe Valley, along with the coastal path, should be preserved as a place of outstanding natural beauty. It was another thirty years before this hope was realised, but in 1960 the National Trust acquired the first of several holdings, on the south side of the valley. Between 1966 and 1969, the hamlet itself was bought by the Landmark Trust, as part of a joint scheme with the National Trust to preserve it and its exceptional setting.
For a short history of Coombe Corner please click here.
To read the full history album for Coombe Corner please click here.
To download the children's Explorer pack for Coombe Corner please click here.
Restoration
Landmark and Coombe
When the Landmark Trust was founded in 1965, some notable buildings, were known to the trustees as being in need of rescue. But they were also keen to take on humble buildings in beautiful surroundings, and thus protect places, as well as architecture, from careless alteration or development. The National Trust had already suggested the Coombe Valley as a place where a joint project would be desirable, but could not afford to take on and repair the buildings.
Coombe was just what the Landmark trustees were looking for.
The last piece of the Coombe jigsaw
Built in the 1930s, Coombe Corner is the most recent addition to the hamlet of Coombe. Both visually and architecturally unlike the rest of the solid stone houses of Coombe, its painted weatherboard and large windows represent a completely different approach to traditional Cornish architecture.
The bungalow was the last building in Coombe to be acquired by The Landmark Trust and its purchase in 1984 was a significant one as it ensured that it was not replaced by something less well-mannered.
Availability & booking
Select a changeover day to start your booking...
What's a changeover day? and Why can't I select other dates?Explain More
A changeover day is a particular day of the week when holidays start and end at our properties. These tend to be on a Friday or a Monday but can sometimes vary. All stays run from one changeover day until another changeover day.
Arriving on...
Monday 13th February 2014