Cottage Orné: a restored 17th century Cornish hamlet, made for summer

Whether gathering multiple generations, escaping with a young family, or reuniting with friends, Cottage Orné is the perfect summer destination

A great British summer holiday is hard to beat: cream teas after a walk along the coast path, crabbing from harbour walls in Cornish fishing villages, and children exploring rock pools before fish and chips at sunset. At Cottage Orné, these familiar pastimes are given a fresh lease of life. With interiors designed by Studio Alexandra, this restored 17th century Cornish hamlet is entering its first full summer season, when it will really come into its own.

Tucked deep in the Cornish countryside, Cottage Orné has been transformed into a restorative escape, set within a wildflower meadow – with a romantic Shepherd's Hut for two, a cluster of cottages, and a seven-bedroom Manor House. Alongside a heated pool, shepherd's hut saunas, treatment hut, yoga studio, and a brand-new tennis court, guests can enjoy a new programme of workshops, food trucks, and seasonal events throughout the summer.

A hamlet with history

The cottages were once part of Tremaine Green, a working farm rich in character and stories. The site has been lovingly reimagined by owner India Serlin and her family, built from a love of beautiful, characterful spaces.

The original buildings date back to the 17th century, with the cottages revealing their past through relics (discovered during renovations) and architectural details. The former cheese room – now a bedroom in Ploughman's Cottage – still bears ceiling hooks where curds once hung. Blacksmith's Cottage displays the faint imprints of boots ascending to a long-gone hayloft, while the former shippon barns – Carpenter's, Miller’s, and Housekeeper's Cottages – now have windows that were once grain-pitching doors.

Thoughtfully designed escapes

The interiors – playing on their French namesake ‘Orné’ (meaning ‘adorned’) – are vibrant and full of personality, complementing the centuries-old details preserved throughout the hamlet. With a focus on creating spaces filled with cosy nooks and vintage touches, India and family have worked closely with Studio Alexandra to individually design each cottage.

The hideaways feature rich palettes, bespoke upholstery, and antique furniture – with bold wallpapers from House of Hackney and Living Quarters, bathroom tiling from Artisan of Devizes and Mosaic Factory, and lighting from Matilda Goad and Munro and Kerr. Some cottages open onto private gardens, and several feature their own outdoor Japanese wood-fired baths. Landscaped gardens by Chelsea Gold award-winning Darren Hawkes and vast wildflower meadows complete the setting.

The 14 escapes range from a charming Shepherd's Hut for two, to one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages sleeping up to six guests, each with beds dressed in 400-thread count Egyptian Cotton bed linen and Naturalmat Mattresses. Perfect for larger gatherings, the spectacular Manor House sleeps up to 14 guests across seven bedrooms. It features two living rooms for entertaining, two kitchens (ideal for private chef suppers), a pool table, a vast dining room seating up to 18 people, and two outdoor hot tubs.

A summer spent outdoors

Summer here is all about life outdoors. Children can challenge each other to games of table football or ping pong, head to the court to play tennis, or dive into the outdoor pool after a morning exploring nearby beaches and coastal paths. The pool is heated from May to September and used as a cold plunge during the winter, alongside two handcrafted shepherd's hut saunas complete with ice bucket showers.

For parents, the pace is slower, with mornings in the yoga studio and afternoons drifting between the pool, Shepherd's Hut saunas, and Treatment Hut, which offers facials, massages, and restorative therapies. As evening falls, locally sourced hampers, fresh seafood deliveries, and private chefs make gathering effortless. The current yoga studio will soon evolve into a fully equipped gym with a yoga deck overlooking the countryside.

Flowers, food trucks & feasts

Creativity is at the heart of the hamlet, with a growing programme of workshops throughout the summer, hosted in the bright, purpose-built art studio – from painting and sketching to pottery, creative writing, and floristry.

The Village Green is the social heart of it all – with bao buns, pizza, and other visiting food trucks, alongside chef residencies and pop-up events planned for the season – an ideal setting for summer aperitifs. Coming soon is also a pantry shop offering delicious local produce and simple home-cooked meals, along with The Shack, a semi-outdoor kitchen for pop-up supper clubs, with seating spilling into the expansive courtyard.

Cornish beaches on your doorstep

Cottage Orné captures a slower kind of staycation. Centred on simplicity, connection, and time together, it brings back the best parts of a traditional British summer holiday: long days outdoors, impromptu gatherings, good food, and the freedom to do as much or as little as you like.

Surrounded by plenty of coastal walks, gorgeous little fishing villages, and many well-known foodie hotspots (including North Street Kitchen in nearby Fowey) Cottage Orné makes a perfect escape for couples, families, and groups of friends. Guests can spend their days on nearby beaches, or head to local events including concerts at the Eden Sessions, Boardmasters, and Rock Oyster Festival, before returning to the calm of the hamlet.

Lead in rates: Stays at Cottage Orné start from £150/night for the Shepherd’s Hut (sleeps 2), £180/night for the cottages (sleeps 2–6), and £900/night for The Manor House (sleeps 14). 

To book, visit www.cottageorne.com