Glendurgan

Falmouth, Cornwall
Bed & Breakfast
+44 (0)1326 250326

Per night
£180
Bedroom

2 rooms

Sleeps

Rooms sleep 2

Wend your way down steep paths to Durgan beach, explore the magic of Charles’s wonderful garden and feast on Caroline’s super breakfasts

Per night
£180

£180 per night

The Experience

Glendurgan has been in Charles Fox’s family for over 200 years. It’s a magical, exotic and wooded place, and there’s a sense of discovery as you set off down steep paths to Durgan beach. Come in spring for the mass of magnolias, bluebells and primroses. While summer, to quote Charles’s excellent book, “breaks in a wave of whiteness, with eucryphia, hoheria, myrtus and that ‘bombe Alaska’ of rhododendrons, ‘Polar Bear’, and autumn is awash with bulbs – amaryllis, colchicum, crinum and nerine.” In the winter this is still an important garden with its collection of fine trees, and, even in the wildest weather, it’s a deeply romantic place to be.

Charles’s paintings of plants and trees line the stairwell up to bedrooms with sensational Helford river views; Violet and Magenta are as your Edwardian aunt would have liked – no TV but a grand piano, harp, and books to browse. Caroline trained as a cook and her breakfasts are delicious with homemade bread, jams and marmalade and locally produced eggs and bacon.

Charles, garden designer and leader of tours, has lots of tips about what to visit and where to eat. Falmouth is just 15 minutes, so if you’re visiting the university it’s easy to come back to this gracious home.

Glendurgan - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The abundance of character, history, books and art
  • Exploring the garden and visiting all the other interesting ones nearby
  • Caroline's generous home-cooked breakfasts
Glendurgan - Gallery

You should know

  • You'll need to wait till the children are older to bring them

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Spa
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Bar
  • Barbecue
  • Licensed premises
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
£180
Surcharges
Singles £100.
2 Twins
£180

Information

Booking information

Check in
Flexible
Check out
Flexible
Other details
Single occupancy, £115 per night.
Closed
Occasionally.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property
Meals
Restaurant within walking distance.

Reviews

A peaceful, elegant home, full of interesting paintings and collections. We received a warm, personal welcome from Charles and Caroline. We were walking the South West Coast Path and found Glendurgan to be a delightful place to stay. Highly recommended.

Helen, Burgess Hill

Our stay with Caroline and Charles was while walking part of the SW Coastal Path. Despite our dirty boots and wet clothes we were warmly welcomed by Caroline into her stately home. Couldn’t have been more awestruck! It was like taking a step back in time…wonderful comfort and so interesting with artwork, photos, collectibles. Perfect way to end off a 2 week adventure.

Lorraine, Derry

What a lovely home, only surpassed by the garden. We spent two sun-filled days hiking the area, seeing the various gardens, enjoying the local Art Walk and the beach. Caroline was a welcoming host who makes the best marmalade I've ever had!

Allison, Banks, Oregon

It is a disservice to describe Glendurgan as a 'B&B'. It is so much more - as other reviewers have mentioned - you feel as though you are staying in a friend's home. Caroline and Charles are kind, welcoming and the most thoughtful hosts. The food was wonderful and the advice on what to do with our time there was spot on. Glendurgan itself is full of interest - art, flowers and books - not to mention the garden. Thank you, Caroline and Charles - our stay was everything we hoped for and more besides.

Alexandra, Rome

We had such a comfortable stay at Glendurgan which is well placed for the Penzance Ferry. We had a warm welcome and our beds were very comfortable, in a lovely bedroom with a wonderful view through the gardens to the Helford River. Everything was spotlessly clean and we couldn't have been better looked after. We had delicious food and would thoroughly recommend Glendurgan to anyone travelling nearby.

Fiona, Andover

The atmosphere at Glendurgan House is what we imagine a comfortable country house would have had a hundred years ago. The fine furniture and pictures add to that feeling. The breakfasts and dinners are excellent. A stay there is a delightful experience we remember with fondness.

Stephen, Cirencester

It was utterly delightful staying in Glendurgan House, so welcoming and comfortable with great attention to detail. Supper was delicious and elegantly served in the dining room, and the garden views were admired the following morning from the sunny breakfast room. Caroline and Charles have the perfect balance of hosting in such a friendly manner so that it really does feel like staying with friends in a private house.

Carol, Newquay

What else is there to say when you read the other reviews. We confirm everything said. Thank you Caroline and Charles for the lovely stay and we full heartedly advice: treat yourself to stay here. Paula and Alex

Alex, Amersfoort

Very special to stay in such a beautiful home. Caroline and Charles are gracious hosts who take the time to answer questions and give advice on things to do in the area. They have the knack of making you feel at home in their home. Everything from the beautiful bedrooms, comfortable beds, fresh flowers in the rooms and sumptuous breakfasts added up to a wonderful stay. Having the magical Glendurgan garden on the doorstep was the icing on the cake. Caroline was very helpful in dealing with various dietary needs. Top tip: make sure to book a dinner with Caroline as she is an excellent cook!

Janine, Heeze, the Netherlands

If you want to give yourselves a treat then we can thoroughly recommend Glendurgan House. Caroline and Charles are relaxed and most thoughtful hosts. We were warmly welcomed with tea on the terrace and loved our well-appointed room with stunning views over the gardens towards the Helford River. Beds were very comfortable and our nice private bathroom was across the landing. What a privilege it was to be able to enjoy the beautiful gardens out of hours. Caroline provided a delicious cooked breakfast and departure time was flexible. We hope to return.

Barley, Cambridge

If you like staying at a B&B that has this "little extra", Glendurgan is definitely a must. It is a beautiful house, where you can feel family tradition, the views on Glendurgan garden are amazing and it's a privilege to be able to have a walk there after regular garden visitors have left. Caroline and Charles are such nice hosts and I truly recommend staying for Caroline's home made dinner (although she equally has great tips for nice restaurants in the neighbourhood).

Patricia, Brussels

Caroline and Charles were the most welcoming and attentive hosts. Our room was spacious with a gorgeous view over the gardens and towards the river Helford. It was a treat to have access to the gardens after the visitors had left. Following our walk, Caroline cooked us a delicious meal with vegetables from her own garden. We look forward to visiting again, but for longer next time!

Carol, Cambridge

If you want to experience Cornwall’s history in a very beautiful setting, if you love antiques, if you love delicious food, then I cannot think of a better place to stay. It is a fascinating place that stays with you long after your time there.

Valerie, London

We have used sawdays for over 20 years visiting nearly 50 properties during that time. We operated b&b ourselves with sawdays until 2022. This is our best b&b experience ever.the food was excellent , the room good, location superb and the hospitality from Caroline and Charles faultless. Highly recommended. We especially enjoyed the private access to gkendurgan garden before the public arrived and the coastal walks.

John, Newport

A house with unique family history. Outstanding hospitality, delicious breakfasts and dinners. The unspoilt views from the window of our room into the garden towards the sailing boats in the distance. And this wonderful famous garden, blooming and so quiet in the mornings and evenings when all the visitors are gone.

Anette, Potsdam

Excellent five night visit in this historic home. Charles & Caroline were gracious and welcoming, with suggestions to fill our days and a great breakfast daily and tea in the evening. Caroline cooked a delicious dinner and Charles gave us a tour of the impressive Glendurgan gardens. House is extremely clean and bed is comfortable and room is quiet. Beautiful river view. Recommended.

Gordon, London

Glendurgan House is very special gem in the crown of loveliness that is the Cornish coast. Caroline and Charles welcomed us with warmth and grace to their beautiful home, fed us with delicious local and home grown feasts, and were utterly charming and generous in their attention to detail, ensuring our supreme comfort and relaxation at all times. The only down side was having, eventually, to leave this heavenly place.

Fiona, Winchester

As well as all its other delights, Glendurgan House offers you the chance to rise with the sun, make your way down through the magical garden with only the birds for company, to emerge at the bottom of the valley on a little beach (very little, if the tide is in). Here you can swim in clear cold water, as the sun rises over the headland. By the time you arrive back at the house after the 10 minute walk, your body is warm again and ready for a perfect breakfast. And you could go again at sunset, or in the moonlight...

Ally, Oxford

Enjoyed a very comfortable one night stay at Glendurgan whilst visiting friends locally. The house is lovely and Caroline and Charles are very welcoming. Delightful view from the breakfast table down to the water through very attractive gardens. Hope to return before long.

Christine, Oxford

Caroline and Charles offer a superlative experience - comfort, charm, delicious food and of course the most spectacular historical important gardens in the South West of England - this is a must on your bucket list for anyone visiting Cornwall

Alexandra, London

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Glendurgan is a mile or so from Mawnan Smith village. You can walk east along the coast into Falmouth, where there is the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, or west to Helford Passage. These footpaths connect by foot ferry with the coastal path which runs around Cornwall. There are numerous circuitous routes from the house, and a local walk can be as short or as long as you want. There are gardens galore to visit in the area; nearby are Trebah and Penjerrick, which were created by members of the Fox family, and then further afield: Trelissick, Trewithen, Heligan and Caerhays; Bonython on the Lizard Peninsula; Trengwainton near Penzance, where you can visit all the art galleries too.

Local points of interest from Charles & Caroline Fox

  • Great walks nearby and along the coast - explore the footpaths and take in the views!
  • Visit the charming Trebah and Penjerrick gardens nearby
  • Plenty of shows and exhibitions to see for all at National Maritime Museum Cornwall
  • Head towards Penzance for St Michael's Mount, Tremenheere sculpture garden or Penzance Penlee House Art Gallery, which houses the Newlyn School paintings

Introducing

Charles & Caroline Fox

Your hosts Charles and Caroline Fox are hugely warm and welcoming, their sweet little dog is very friendly too, and B&B visitors are treated like house guests. Charles, having lived in Cornwall all his life and trained as a garden designer, has decades of experience taking visitors around Cornish gardens and as an artist he is always abreast of exhibitions and what is worth seeing in local galleries.