A SANCTUARY IN WHICH TO UNWIND

Moments from the coast, Highcliffe’s new luxury properties, along with their new wellbeing facilities and café, is taking holiday home ownership to the next level.

Rob Mably’s vision for Highcliffe began in the early 1990’s. Born into a farming family, it was on this land that he began building 36 holiday homes in Trebetherick on the hill between Polzeath and Daymer Bay. Having grown up with endless summers playing on the farm and nearby beaches, his vision was for visiting families to enjoy the north Cornish coast as much as he had. It took four years to complete the initial properties, and during that time Rob started a small holiday property management company, offering letting services for owners who wanted to rent out their unused weeks.

Family-owned and run, Highcliffe is secluded yet within walking distance to Rock and Polzeath. The properties have settled into their landscaped environment well, surrounded by well-kept lawns and grounds. Highcliffe is the type of location where you can drive to your holiday home, park the car, put the keys in the drawer and pick them up when you leave. You can walk to three or four beaches, local villages, and even the pub. There has been little need for anything else other than this, its peaceful surroundings and breath-taking views. However, 20 years on Rob and his three daughters wanted to add something a little special to Highcliffe, which would ensure the enjoyment of generations to come.

“We were slightly delayed in achieving our vision, partly because of Brexit, and then because of COVID,” says Rob. “Having retained our family land, we decided to expand Highcliffe to include a yoga studio, gym and 20 new properties. It was important to us, and the planners, that the new development was sensitive in terms of design, orientation and that it would create local jobs.”

The location of the new properties is slightly more elevated, with far reaching views across the Camel Estuary and Stepper Point. Architect Peter Hume of Purl Design, who worked with Rob on the original 36 homes, designed the larger properties to benefit from reverse level living, maximizing the sea views. Facing westwards, from their balconies they experience the most breathtaking sunsets, which are very special to witness. The next row of new properties, with sea glimpses, are more traditional; a stepping stone between the original architecture and the cutting-edge contemporary design of the ocean-front homes.

Rob’s daughters Becca, and twin sister Bonnie, who worked with Norm Architects in Copenhagen, have been the driving force behind the interiors, masterminding their style: “The designs are more ambitious” says Becca, “We realised that we were stepping up into a different category of property and wanted to reflect that in our design choices. That, in turn, led us to take the business further by building a reception building, home to our café, gym and yoga studio, bringing high quality facilities to Highcliffe for the first time.” The beautifully designed studio hosts yoga and pilates classes and is open to guests and non-residents, while the state-of the art gym, which has both cardio and weight machines, is used by owners and guests, and during the low season non-residents can obtain attractive memberships. Natural materials ensure the whole building exudes calm and charm, with studio doors that pull back opening up the entire space. Retreats and art classes are also on the horizon as the new facility naturally unfolds.

“It’s been a fun process to undertake with Bonnie,” adds Becca. “Working with family can have its challenges but it's also very special, given that this is on family land, with our grandparent’s house in view just up on the hill. There's a real strong, family connection here, which we don't take for granted.”

So, what does the future hold for Highcliffe? “We feel that this is a big step for us and for Highcliffe itself and so we now need a period of consolidation whilst we grow our team, and our management of this exciting new chapter” says Rob. “I've got retirement on the horizon so the future route of the company will be in the hands of the girls.” www.highcliffecornwall.co.uk

There are 20 new properties, with eight already finished and handed over to their owners. A further eight have been reserved and are currently under construction to be completed throughout the rest of this year. Plot eight, one of the few remaining available homes is currently on the market with John Bray Estates with a guide price of £2.25m.