See & Do
Discover the best of North Cornwall: stunning beaches, coastal walks, surfing paradise, cosy country pubs & restaurants and historic landmarks from your doorstep at Wild Rose Cottage, Illogan.
Explore Cornwall
Wild Rose Cottage, Illogan is the perfect base to explore the local area.
Our holiday cottage in Illogan is the perfect base for you enjoy the best of North Cornwall and beyond, with stunning beaches, coastal walks and surfing paradise on your doorstep.
Take a stroll to the village shop or pub, just a short five minute walk away, or venture a couple of miles to the small seaside village of Portreath with its sandy beach, narrow harbour, and an array of shops, pubs, and restaurants.
Explore the famous South West Coast Path, Coast-to-Coast cycle trail, nearby historic landmarks and towns, such as St Ives, Godrevy, Penzance, Falmouth and Truro. There's something for everyone in our little slice of Cornish paradise.
Beautiful Beaches
Nearby Portreath Beach, with its sandy beach and narrow harbour is popular with both swimmers and surfers alike. It’s also ideal for families, walkers, cyclists or anyone who wants to take advantage of the stunning Cornish coastline. Portreath has an array of shops, pubs, and restaurants and the beach is dog friendly, subject to seasonal restrictions.
Portreath harbour has a rich history, where is was connected to nearby mines by a steep railway, and served as a port for ships carrying tin and copper to the South Wales coast, which brought back coal to fuel the steam engines in the renowned engine houses of the region. A stained glass window in Wild Rose Cottage, created by a local artist, Julie Shedd, depicts these famous engine houses alongside the Carn Brea monument, and our family initials.
Portreath's recent history is marked by the sea wall defenses erected during WWII to prevent a naval invasion, and the nearby coastal tower on the cliff above the harbor is where Laurence Binyon stayed when he penned his famous poem "For the Fallen."
Coastal Walks &
Cycle Trails
Nestled in the charming village of Illogan, our holiday cottage offers the perfect base for adventure-seekers looking to explore Cornwall's breathtaking coast and countryside.
With an array of coastal walks and nature trails right on your doorstep, as well as easy access to the South West Coast Path and the Coast-to-Coast cycle trail, adventure awaits just steps away, including trails to the picturesque St Ives, located just 16 miles away, or the breathtaking Godrevy National Trust site, only 7.5 miles from Wild Rose Cottage.
Rich History & Culture
Illogan is a historic village at the heart of Cornwall's rich mining heritage and a stone's throw from the stunning North Cornish coast. As one of Europe's largest villages, Illogan has a fascinating history and was even the fictional birthplace of Demelza, wife of Ross Poldark, in Winston Graham's iconic Poldark novels.
If you have an interest in Cornish history or are researching your Cornish ancestors, take a trip to Kresen Kernow ('Cornwall Centre'), which holds the world's largest collection of documents, books, maps and photographs related to Cornwall's history.
Learn about Cornwall's rich mining history and it's place a world-famous centre of industry, engineering and innovation at the National Trust's East Pool Mine, just a stone's throw away.
Further afield, there's a whole host of must-see landmarks, including the Telegraph Museum, the Minack Theatre, Goonhilly Space Station, Pendennis Castle, St Mawes, and Chysauster.
Surf's Up
Get ready to hit the waves! Illogan is situated close to the North Cornish coast, making it a great spot to stay for surfing enthusiasts.
Take advantage of the world-famous surfing beaches nearby such as Portreath, Porthtowan, and Chapel Porth, all within easy reach of Wild Rose Cottage, Illogan.
Whether you're a seasoned surfer or a beginner, the waves here are perfect for all skill levels. Lessons and equipment hire are available on the beach, making it easy to get started and enjoy the thrilling experience of riding the waves.
Leisure & Sports
Visit nearby Redruth, where you can catch a movie at the local cinema or browse the eclectic selection of shops, including fantastic antique stores, lining the steep pedestrianised high street.
Just 12 miles away, Truro offers even more shopping options, from local boutiques to national chains, as well as cultural highlights such as the County's Museum, magnificent Cathedral, and the renowned Hall for Cornwall, a premier destination for music and entertainment.
And if you're looking to maintain your fitness routine, nearby Carn Brea Leisure Centre and Bourne Fit offer excellent opportunities to take a dip, join a class or lift some weights.
Food & Drink
Looking for a taste of Cornwall? Illogan and the surrounding areas, boasts a variety of restaurants to satisfy your appetite, and the village is well served with local shops including a Morrisons Local.
Just a short stroll from Wild Rose Cottage, the Robartes Arms is a charming and traditional pub situated opposite Manningham Wood, with picturesque walks to Illogan Woods, Tehidy Woods and Portreath, where you can indulge in delightful home-cooked food, real ales and lively entertainment, including live music, quiz nights, pool and darts. Local takeaway options include the local kebab house, Indian or Cousin Jacks chip shop, where you can grab some fish and chips, head to Portreath and take in the stunning view from the top of Tregea Hill, whatever the weather!
If you're looking to venture out for a bite to eat, we highly recommend a short drive to the Basset Arms, Portreath Tandoori, or Portreath Arms, or for a touch of luxury, be sure to check out the Penventon Hotel in Redruth. And no visit to Cornwall would be complete without trying some pasties - be sure to sample the delicious offerings at Cornish Oven and Portreath Bakery, which even has frozen pasties to take home as a tasty souvenir.
