That's a lot of shillings! Poldark craze sparks interest in Cornish property with stunning views of the sea and two cottages connected by a lift... but it will set you back £3million
04-07-2015
- Interest in the hit BBC series Poldark has given Cornwall's tourism and housing market a boost
- Estate agents said they have seen a rise in interest from fans who are interested in purchasing a second home
- Beachfront property near Portreath has seven bedrooms, six reception rooms and seven bathrooms
By Chris Kitching for MailOnline
Die-hard fans of the hit BBC series Poldark aren’t just flocking to Cornwall as tourists, as interest in the programme has spurred demand for holiday homes along the county’s picturesque coastline.
A beachfront property with spectacular views has gone on the market for £3million, and it is already drawing interest from viewers who are enamoured with the series’ stunning setting – and actor Aidan Turner’s chiselled looks.
Since the series started airing last month estate agents said they have seen a rise in enquiries about the cottage, overlooking an ancient smugglers’ cove on Cornwall’s north coast, and other properties where the title character, Ross Poldark, plies his trade.
A beachfront property with summer and winter cottages (middle, bottom left) has gone on the market for £3million in Cornwall
The property has stunning views of Smugglers Cove, and the summer and winter cottages are linked via a lift (pictured: summer cottage)
Poldark actor Aidan Turner has become a heartthrob for fans after his character took off his shirt on the popular BBC One show
Aidan Turner has his very own Mr Darcy moment in Poldark
Ben Standen, from estate agents Jackson-Stops & Staff of Truro, said Smugglers Cottage in Smugglers Cove, near Portreath, has a summer and winter cottage, cleverly linked via a lift.
Boasting seven bedrooms, six reception rooms and seven bathrooms, the property has direct access to the beach and an amazing view of uninterrupted coast and open sea.
The summer cottage has three bedrooms and the winter cottage has four, and they can be used separately to provide lots of space for a family.
Mr Standen said: ‘The fact it has direct access onto the beach and has these two houses linked by a lift - it's the sort of thing that comes on the market once every 20 or 30 years.’
The scenic county has always been a popular destination thanks to its rugged coastline, but interest in the programme, based on Winston Graham’s Poldark historical novels, set in the 18th century, is giving the local tourism and housing market a boost.
Boasting seven bedrooms, six reception rooms and seven bathrooms, the stunning property has direct access to the beach
One of the larger bedrooms in the summer cottage offers amazing views of Smugglers Cove on the northern coast of Cornwall
The summer cottage has three bedrooms and the winter cottage has four, with uninterrupted views of the sea
Smugglers Cottage is located just a few miles from some of the series’ filming locations, including nearby St Agnes Head, which doubles as Nampara Valley, part of the Poldark family estate, in the show.
There are lots of 'Poldark experiences' now on offer in the county – with kayak, horseback and walking Poldark tours.
Mr Standen added: ‘I certainly think the Poldark series has heightened Cornwall's appeal.
Aidan Turner talks fake tan and pecs on the set of Poldark
Aiden Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson in Poldark
Aidan Turner stars as Captain Poldark in the series based on Winston Graham's novels
There are lots of 'Poldark experiences' now on offer in the county – with kayak, horseback and walking Poldark tours
Smugglers Cottage is located just a few miles from some of the series’ filming locations, including nearby St Agnes Head
The show’s popularity is coupled with the county’s stunning scenery and history in making Cornwall a desirable destination.
‘There are more people coming down here more regularly and expressing interest in buying a second home.
‘Properties on the coastline with these breathtaking views have got a lot of appeal and are incredibly popular, which the series has made people more aware of.’
The show’s popularity is coupled with the county’s stunning scenery and history in making Cornwall a desirable destination.
Estate agents said they have seen an increase in interest in holiday homes in Cornwall since Poldark began airing last month
Smuggling was rife in the 18th century, when Poldark is set, and Cornwall's coast is full of hidden coves and tucked-away inlets.
It was popular with smugglers because it had a long expanse of rocky, virtually uninhabited coast.
With few revenue men to patrol it, goods like tea, brandy, rum and tobacco were smuggled in.
NOWHERE TO GO IN POLDARK COUNTRY
All four of Fowey's public toilets are out of service just weeks before summer
Poldark fans and thousands of other holidaymakers who are planning to visit a popular seaside town in Cornwall may have nowhere to go when nature calls.
Located in the heart of Poldark country, the town of Fowey is locked in a bizarre and long-running wrangle over public toilets.
All four of the main public conveniences in Fowey – where a Poldark exhibition is being planned in May – are closed and with the summer tourist season fast approaching, there’s no sign of the wee wrangle being resolved. The town council agreed to take over the running of the four public toilets from Cornwall Council at the start of 2013.
But more than two years later, the details of the transfer of ownership of three of them - Caffa Mill, the main car park and Readymoney Cove – are still being worked out by the county council while the fourth block, at the Town Quay, is shut for refurbishment.
Town clerk Sally Vincent said: ‘There is nothing more the town council can do to push it on... it is still in the legal loop. ‘I am hopeful it will be completed soon.
‘The town council is really pleased to be able to take on the ownership of the toilets. ‘As a town council we feel we need to get the Town Quay toilets up and running and then go from there. It's important that Fowey has these facilities.’
The Town Quay toilets were already owned by the town council but leased to Cornwall Council, which has meant the handover could be completed more quickly.
Refurbishment work started last week and it is hoped they will be open within eight weeks, with the toilet for the disabled being available to use while work is done on the others.
When they reopen, visitors will have to pay 20p per use to offset the cost to the town council of running them.
Mrs Vincent added: ‘The cost of running toilets is astronomical.
‘The town council simply doesn't have the money to do it for nothing so it was felt that if we charge 20p it would be something towards it.’
Cornwall Council figures suggest it will cost a minimum of £26,000 a year to run the four sets of toilets, with the town having to cover insurance costs and business rates as well as cleaning, maintenance and consumables.
Until the transfer of ownership on the three blocks at the main car park, Readymoney Cove and Caffa Mill, is completed, the responsibility for opening the toilets will rest with Cornwall Council.