COTTAGE GUIDE
Continue reading to discover all the features and amenities our cottage has to offer.
welcome
time to relax at the old reading room
Dear Guests,
We are absolutely delighted that you’ve chosen to stay at our lovely Cornish home and hope it provides the perfect setting for you to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of this special part of Cornwall.
The Old Reading Room—is tucked away in a tiny, unspoilt hamlet alongside a handful of equally charming stone-built cottages. It’s an idyllic retreat for anyone seeking peace, tranquility, and a true escape to the countryside. As its original name suggests, The Old Reading Room was once a place where local children gathered to learn and develop their literacy skills. Today, it still retains all its original character and charm, making it a truly unique place to stay.
The cottage sits on the outskirts of St. Breward, a picturesque village home to The Old Inn, the highest inn in Cornwall, dating back to the 11th century. The village is also the starting point of the famous Camel Trail, a stunning traffic-free route that winds its way through the Cornish countryside all the way to Padstow—perfect for cycling enthusiasts.
St. Breward lies on the fringe of Bodmin Moor, deep in Poldark country. This rugged and dramatic landscape, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a haven for wildlife and a dream for walkers, offering miles of scenic trails to explore. The very first episode of Poldark sees Ross returning to his estate, Nampara, which was filmed near St. Breward. With its traditional stone walls and rustic charm, The Old Reading Room could easily pass as one of Ross’s labourer’s cottages!
We are so pleased to welcome you here and truly hope you love it as much as we do. While this guide will help you settle in and find everything you need, there’s just one thing we absolutely insist upon—that you have a fantastic time during your stay!
Wishing you a restful and memorable stay,
Matthew & Sarah
check-in & arrival
timings, AND check-out
THE PERFECT BALANCE OF FUNCTIONALITY AND AESTHETICS
Check In and Arrival
Arrival The arrival time is from 4pm. The front door can be quite stiff as the wood has been known to expand due to the weather. Please don’t be too afraid to use a bit of force.
Parking There is parking available at the property for one car. Please drive up the lane off the main road by the property and park on the gravel area on the right-hand side. Please ensure that you are parked in far enough to enable the neighbour’s full access to the lane.
Keys You will find a set of keys in the key safe at the property. The key safe is located on the side of the wood cabin, facing the garden. The code will have been provided by Boutique Retreats. A spare set for emergency use cab be found in the wooden cabinet to the left of the entrance door.
On Departure Please depart the property by 11am. When departing, please check that none of your belongings have been left behind. On the occasion that you have left an item at the property, please contact us directly so arrangements can be made to return them. Please be mindful that these may incur postage charges.
Upon departure please return the keys to the key safe and close it up accordingly.
warming up
old and new
Heating
The boiler is outside the property and there is central heating throughout. The system is set to automatic and the HIVE thermostat is located on the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Simply adjust the dial to select the temperature and make sure it is set to ‘on’ using the switch underneath. The bathroom towel rail is electric and can be switched on using the control panel in the cupboard under the sink.
The kitchen can get quite cold, so there is a heater on the wall with manual controls. The upstairs can get quite warm when all the heating is on, so there are thermostatic controls on each of the radiators.
Hot Water Hot water is available on demand, so you shouldn’t have any issues it is ready as and when needed.
Woodburner The log burner in the main house creates a lovely atmosphere on a winters evening. Logs for your first few days are in the basket next to the fireplace and firelighters alongside.
Please do note that the log burner in the cabin is not available and should not be used.
how to use
tech and equipment
The Washing Machine The washing machine is in the cupboard in the cabin.
Dishwasher The Bosch dishwasher is in the cupboard nearest the lounge wall in the kitchen and the dishwasher tablets are stored in the cupboard underneath the sink.
The Oven The oven is controlled using function and temperature settings in the usual way. Be careful with the hot door! The hob is induction and so will only work with the pans supplied in the bottom drawer to the left of the oven.
The Fridge The fridge is in the far-right cupboard.
The TV The Sony TV and DVD player is in the cupboard in front of the sofa. The TV is ‘smart’ and all channels and media are supplied through the broadband connection. We also have Netflix, which guests are welcome to use.
Sonos If you would like to connect to the Sonos system to access and play your own music we’d recommend Spotify, you can connect via your mobile device or the cottage iPad.
Internet Radio There is a Roberts Internet Radio in the bedroom, you can listen to all the usual stations i.e. Radio4, Classic FM via the Internet Radio option, or bluetooth for your own music.
Internet To access the internet the WiFi code is 4ypir69pE4Eumi – It’s fibre, so it pretty fast for the remote location!
practicalities
useful information
Refuse and Recycling Rubbish is collected by our housekeeper at the end of your stay. Please use the galvanised bin outside to store any rubbish.
Recycling You’ll find some labeled containers to place glass, plastic and cans outside by the log store.
Dogs We love dogs and have a black Labrador of our own. You’ll find some treats in a jar to make your furry friend feel at home and bowls and a bed (large and small if desired) under the stairs. Please note that dogs are only allowed downstairs and should not, under any circumstances, be allowed on the bed.
The garden has been fenced off, but please be mindful of your dogs ability to jump and burrow!
Bulbs and Candles If required, a selection of spare light-bulbs can be found on the shelf under the stairs. You’ll also find additional tea lights here for use whilst you are at the cottage.
Septic Tank Care The cottage is on a septic tank system, so please only flush toilet paper and natural waste to avoid blockages.
What to Do in The Event Of…
…A Fire The fire extinguisher and blanket is in the cupboard underneath the sink.
…A Power Cut The torch is in the cupboard on the right of the lounge door as you enter from the conservatory. Spare batteries and candles can be found under the stairs. The fuse board is housed in a unit on the wall to the left as you enter the lounge from the conservatory.
…A Mishap The first aid kit is in the bottom drawer of the kitchen unit
…A Water Leak In the event of a water leak, the stopcock is located under the sink in the kitchen.
Housekeeping
Cleaning The dustpan and brush, pedal bin liners, washing powder, washing up liquid and cloths can all be found in the cupboard under the sink. The vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board, clothes airer can be found in the cupboard under the stairs.
Housekeeper The housekeeper’s details are listed, however, please call the owner in the first instance on his mobile. Numbers can be found at the end of the house book.
Store Cupboard Essentials When you arrive, there will be fresh eggs, bread and milk left for you. As for store cupboard essentials; there will be tea, instant coffee, sugar, cornish salt and black pepper, cooking oil, Italian herbs, chilli flakes, paprika, fennel seeds and cumin on the kitchen shelves. Please help yourself.
outside
the sundeck, stream and BBQ
Outside
Furniture You’ll find an outdoor table and chairs on the patio alongside our favourite swing chair, perfect to read a book whilst listening to incredible birdsong. Cushions for all chairs are stored in the cabin cupboards or in the chest in the conservatory, please take them in at night. The large table near the BBQ is made of poly cement. It’s fairly weather-proof but can be damaged by spillages or anything too hot so please use a placemat. The patio area overlooking the garden is a lovely place to sit and listen to the stream. The decking area also has some sun loungers with pads stored in the cabin. To the front of the conservatory, you’ll find a bistro table perfect to watch the sunset.
Streams You will be able to hear the calming flow of the stream from the cottage. It is located at the far end of the rear garden and runs through under the bridge that leads up to the property at the end of the lane. Whilst we do encourage you to enjoy the sights of the stream, please do be careful near the edge of the water, as there are no barriers present, and there is uneven ground around the banks.
BBQ There’s a Weber coal BBQ and black side-table on the patio. Please leave the BBQ as you would expect to find it. Utensils can be found in the cabin though sometimes they make their way to the kitchen draws!
Outside Lights
The outside lights are programmed to turn on just before sunset and switch off at 11:30 PM each evening. If needed, you can override this schedule using the Google Home app on the iPad. Simply open the app, select the lights, and adjust their settings as required.
The Gardener Whilst we aim to ensure that the garden is maintained between changeovers, so your stay shouldn’t be disturbed. On occasion the gardener may need to visit whilst guests are in residence.
Useful to know
out and about
Mobile Reception Due to the cottage’s remote location, mobile reception can be unreliable across most networks. However, WiFi calling is available, allowing you to make and receive calls as usual.
Games For entertainment on a rainy day or a relaxing evening in, you’ll find a selection of board games in the unit to the right of the door as you enter the main cottage.
Local Shop St. Breward now boasts its own local community store, established through the efforts of the villagers. If possible, please consider supporting this valuable local asset.
Address: 1 Chyryn Drive, St Breward, PL30 4LL
Local Pubs
The Old Inn & Restaurant – The village’s local pub, serving generous portions and welcoming dogs. Booking is recommended for the popular Sunday Carvery.
Address: St Breward, Bodmin, PL30 4PP
St. Mabyn Inn – A great spot for Sunday roasts.
Address: St Mabyn, Bodmin, PL30 3BG
St. Tudy Inn – Known for its high-quality food and stylish, boutique atmosphere.
Address: St Tudy, Bodmin, PL30 3NN
Breakfast Recommendations
St. Kew Farm Shop – Enjoy beautifully presented, Instagram-worthy breakfasts.
Address: St Kew Highway, Bodmin, PL30 3EF
Boscastle Farm Shop – Offers a traditional Cornish breakfast with stunning coastal views.
Address: Hillsborough Farm, Boscastle, PL35 0HH
Butchers Button Meats supplies many local pubs, shops, and restaurants. They have a farm shop located in Michaelstow, near St. Tudy, where you can purchase high-quality local meats.
Address: Michaelstow, Bodmin, PL30 3PB