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WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

Perched high above the shining blue jewel that is Porthleven Harbour, Flagstaff House lies in wait. It is here, on the ocean-kissed edge of this charming Cornish fishing village, that a small paradise has been carved out. Confronted with endless blue sea stretching out across the horizon, and with an uninterrupted view of the bustle of working harbour life, the rarest of opportunities has emerged to find yourself in the very heart of what it means to live in Cornwall.

After a last breath of the fresh Cornish sea air that drifts in from the ocean to fill your lungs with a refreshing inhale, stepping inside Flagstaff and closing the door behind brings an immediate sense of quiet calm, a serenity accompanied by neutral tones and stylish yet unassuming décor. The first thing you’ll notice, and perhaps the most striking element of the property, are the incredible coastal views that flood in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the wonderfully light and spacious living area. Premonitions of early morning coffees come to mind, finding your way from the functional kitchen with a steaming mug in hand to take a seat in front of the most astonishing watery vista; a truly dreamy start to the day, rain or shine. On warm summer mornings, or indeed whenever there might be the promise of a little Cornish sunshine, you may find yourself drawn outside onto the wraparound terrace through the sliding doors to find a space just made for relaxing and soaking up vitamin D and good vibes, or perhaps a barbeque with loved ones all around. Although, even when raindrops threaten, the conservatory to the side – which also boasts access to the terrace –means you can make the most of these incredible surroundings in cosy comfort all year round.

At the rear of the property, the kitchen itself enjoys a wonderful lookout to the harbour below, as does the adjoining sitting area with a window that opens to full width to make the most of the paradise outside, and draw a little of it in. Right in the middle of the ground floor sit three beautiful bedrooms, one of which would make for a fantastic study for working from home with a view you aren’t likely to find in any office. The flow of the ground floor promotes a relaxed, easy-living atmosphere, fitting for the laid-back lifestyle led by many in Porthleven.

When the events of the day draw to a close, and you’ve watched the sun dip down below the horizon in a sky of gold and amber from your favourite spot on the terrace, the metal staircase will invite you up to the indulgent master bedroom suite, complete with the most luxurious of en-suites with a view out to sea. For a quiet morning moment, or for a perfect view of Porthleven’s evening scenes, make your way onto your own private balcony, an idyllic spot for stargazers and daydreamers.

Being in such a fortunate and elevated position naturally welcomes a collection of benefits for the stunning four-bedroom home, one of which being the incredible amount of natural light that permeates the property all throughout the day and later into the evening, not to mention the breathtaking coastal panorama that infiltrates Flagstaff House. But with all this, one particular plus that may not initially come to mind, is Porthleven itself. A bustling and vibrant hub of activity, Porthleven has become something of a foodie haven, with a host of popular restaurants, pubs and bars dotted throughout the village, and it’s all just a short walk away.

On the other side of the harbour is The Ship, sitting proudly in position as one of Porthleven’s favourite pubs. With famed food available, and beverages to be sipped in the sun on a hot day, or indulged in by the fire on cold afternoons, it’s easy to understand its popularity. Award-winning restaurants like Kota, Kota Kai and Amelie’s are sure to tempt you inside with the incredible smells that emanate from the kitchens, and if food is your forte, then the annual Porthleven Food Festival that takes place every spring brings everything from celebrity chefs and demonstrations to street food stalls and live music. At this time of year, and indeed all year round, this is truly the place to be. rohrsandrowe.co.uk

When the sun comes out, it’s not unusual to see swimmers take to the water around the harbour, exposing previously covered arms and legs to salt, sea and sun, and the multitude of hardy surfers that live locally can be seen tackling Porthleven’s surf scene all year round from Flagstaff’s enviable position. With eyes on the coastline, adventure may well call, and the surrounding beaches, watersports activities and of course, the South West Coast Path, provide everything you need to satisfy the call of the wild. With Helston just a ten-minute drive away, boasting three supermarkets and yet more restaurants, bars and a cinema, you can rest assured that convenience is not altogether foregone in this beautiful spot on the coast.