This National Trust Holiday Cottage was our home for the week spanning my husband Gary's 50th birthday, and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful location or a cosier or more peaceful cottage. Set within a group of 3 properties, Pont Creek stands alone with its glorious garden and bubbling stream running alongside a path well travelled by walkers and ramblers. It is known as 'The Hall Walk', made famous by Quiller-Couch…we are deep in DuMaurier country here, and the selection of books provided for darker evenings by the glowing wood burner stove includes, naturally, such enticing titles as 'Rebecca' & 'Frenchman's Creek'. The cottage itself has two bedrooms- a double with a bed so comfortable that you simply don't move all night, unless you shift your head slightly to better hear the call of the Owls that populate the stunning woodland that covers the hillsides rising from the river, a tributary of the River Fowey. The other bedroom is a delightful twin, and both have more than sufficient wardrobe and drawer space, and no shortage of quality wooden clothes hangers. Everything here is, in fact, of the highest quality- from the heavy white cotton bed linen to big fluffy towels, to the thoughtfully placed tea tray that greets you on arrival, with fresh flowers and a welcome note. The kitchen is so well equipped that we were able to cook just about anything we chose; hot water is plentiful for washing up before a relaxing bath or shower; there is a washing machine, tumble dryer and hanging/airing space in the spacious laundry outhouse. The lounge/diner is warm and cosy, uncrowded too with a sofa, easy chair and dining table seating four easily. A short staircase rises to the first floor bedrooms and bathroom, and French doors on the landing lead out to the delightful garden with its lawns, shrubs, ferns and of course a profusion of wild birds. Pull the. Heavy window drapes open when you wake and you will find the landing flooded with light….even on an overcast day! Step outside the kitchen by way of the stable door, cross the flagstones and within a dozen paces you find yourself right by the river with its wading birds, kingfishers, swans, ducks, and all kinds of water birds- all of which will await bread and cake from anyone who offers it! The river is tidal, and at high spring tides you will notice it creeping up towards the cottage…fear not, traveller, the tides were at their highest during our stay but we stayed nice and dry in the cottage! The local housekeeper/caretaker was a lovely friendly lady who reassured us that we wouldn't be flooded – although we had no fear of that! The wifi signal is a bit hit and miss, but we found that we could get signal for our mobile phones down by the river in the large car parking area (not, I must add, at high tide!)" The walks around the area are a pleasure – you can do as much or as little of the 'Hall Walk' as you wish, but I would definitely recommend a stroll to Polruan. Even with my rheumatoid arthritis I did not struggle with it, although the pub in Polruan overlooking the harbour offered a most welcome break for a delicious home cooked lunch! We then took the ferry boat to Fowey, a charming village with a good variety of shops, pubs and restaurants, and a beautiful old church. Boats can be hired here for those who wish to explore the river and coastal waters – for the less intrepid there are plenty of skippers vying for your custom on their organised boat trips. Fowey has 2 ferries – the passenger boat to and from Polruan, and a car ferry to and from Bodinnick, which incidentally also boasts two excellent pubs, both of which serve delicious meals in their restaurants. Bodinnick can be reached by foot from Pony Creek Cottage, but the terrain is steep and perhaps a little too wearing for those of us with mobility problems. We found it easier to drive to Bodinnick and cross to Fowey with the car. We spent a lot of our time exploring, and had a marvellous time visiting National Trust properties and gardens such as Trelissick and Lanhydrock. We drove north to Boscastle to visit the extraordinary and unique 'Museum of Witchcraft' – a truly fascinating experience! We stopped off at Tintagel where the views from the cliffs are dramatic and unmissable in any weather- we didn't see King Arthur but we could easily imagine him surveying his realm with pride! Trago Mills retail outlet is a must for keen shoppers – there is very little that can't be bought there, at discount prices, without compromising quality…the garden centre is irresistible! It is within a maximum half hour drive from the cottage. We found a good Morrissons supermarket at Bodmin – again, under half an hour by car, and a Tesco nearby too. All in all, this wonderful place now feels like a second home, even though we only had one week it was a fantastic holiday which left us refreshed, rejuvenated and our souls recharged. It is suitable for all age groups, although dogs are not permitted to stay at the cottage so your four legged friend would have to arrange his/her own short break! If you long for peaceful seclusion, silence save for the murmur of the river and the calls of wildlife and birds, but within easy reach of "civilisation" then you will, I'm sure, fall in love with Pont Creek as we did. Would we go back? Just try to stop us!
