Boscastle House: Your Dream Cornish Escape Awaits!
Boscastle House: My Cornish Escape, Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Coastal Breeze (and WIFI!) – A Rambling Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unleash my inner travel critic on you. We’re talking about Boscastle House, a place that promised me a "Dream Cornish Escape," and, well… did it deliver? Let’s just say I'm still de-sand-ing my boots and trying to decide if the clotted cream was too good.
First off, let's get the practical stuff out of the way:
Accessibility: Now, I don't have any mobility issues, but I did do some digging (because, you know, research!) and it seems like some rooms and areas are designed with accessibility in mind. They mention it. But honestly, I'd call ahead and ask directly if you have specific needs. The website can be a bit vague on specifics, which is a slight…grumble.
Internet Access (the Modern Day Essential): Okay, this is IMPORTANT. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! (And seriously, Boscastle House, your Wi-Fi is a lifesaver, you get extra points for actually working.) There was also Internet [LAN] listed and Internet services, whatever that means. I just know that I could post those glorious coastal pics and answer those pesky work emails without losing my mind. Bonus points for Wi-Fi in public areas, because let's be real, sometimes you just need to update your Insta story while sipping a questionable cocktail on the Terrace.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because We’re Living in 2024): This is where Boscastle House clearly stepped up. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas (which I actually saw happen, multiple times, which, frankly, put my mind at ease), Hand sanitizer everywhere, Profession-grade sanitizing services, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I felt safe, which is a HUGE relief these days. They also had Staff trained in safety protocol, so you know they’re taking it seriously. The Room sanitization opt-out available is a great touch. You can decide how much cleaning you want. I mean, I'm not gonna judge if you want to live in a germ bubble of your own making.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Clotted Cream Conundrum
Okay, now we get to the good stuff - the food! (and, arguably, the reason I’m still thinking about Boscastle House). Let me tell you, the Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious, messy affair. Think mountains of fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, enough pastries to put three people in a sugar coma, and, of course, that legendary clotted cream. Seriously, I’d go back just for the clotted cream and scones. I may have strategically planned my days around the Breakfast service.
Restaurants: There are multiple options. We saw A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and options for a Vegetarian restaurant. I did not see an Asian breakfast option. Disappointed, perhaps. Asian cuisine in restaurant I did check out tho, and it was surprisingly good. They even had Soup in restaurant to warm you up after a bracing cliff walk. Honestly, it was hard to decide where to eat, from the main dining room to the Poolside bar.
Oh, and the Bar. The Bar was important. It has a Happy hour which always a win, but the best thing about the bar was the view. Imagine sipping a G&T, the sun setting over the ocean… (sigh). They also had Coffee/tea in restaurant, and, I'm convinced, a lifetime supply of Bottle of water. The Poolside bar also had an amazing selection of.. well… more water, really.
Room Service [24-hour],… bless. I had all the Desserts in restaurant I could have possibly wanted. This is the kind of place where you order a slice of chocolate cake at midnight, and nobody bats an eyelid. This is vacation gold.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
Okay, let's be real. Vacations are about feeling pampered. Boscastle House gets this! They offer Concierge service, Daily housekeeping (thank goodness!), Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Laundry service. I’m not sure what those last three things are when on vacation, tho. The fact that they had Currency exchange and Cash withdrawal on-site was a huge plus, saved me from getting hit with those ridiculous international transaction fees. They even had a Gift/souvenir shop, perfect for grabbing a tacky postcard and proving you actually went to Cornwall.
They also had a Convenience store, which I didn't use, because I’m a genius and overpacked. The Doorman was always there to greet me, and the Elevator was crucial, as I had a room on a higher floor.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Beyond the Scones)
Alright, so, relaxing… Now we are in my wheelhouse. One of the biggest draws of Boscastle House (and the surrounding area, really) is the ability to, well, switch off. But let's not get it all straight, there are some things to do, as well.
- Spa/Sauna: Okay, the spa… It has all the trimmings! They had a Pool with view, a Spa, and a Sauna. I spent one glorious afternoon getting a Body scrub and Massage. Absolutely heavenly. Pure bliss. I even thought I'd be brave enough to try a Body wrap, but chickened out. Maybe next time.
- Swimming pool and Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was beautiful. Even though I only dipped my toes into the pool, I loved just sitting by it.
- They mention a Fitness center, and Gym/fitness, but let's be honest, the only exercise I did was the aforementioned cliff walks.
- They provided a Foot bath. Ok then.
- They provided Steamroom. OK then.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
This one wasn't super relevant to me, but I noticed they seem to be pretty Family/child friendly. They advertised Babysitting service and Kids meal, and other Kids facilities.
Available in all rooms:
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Rooms: My Humble Abode (and Its Minor Imperfections)
My room was…lovely. They are all Non-smoking rooms, in fact. It included Air conditioning, a Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains (thank goodness!), a Coffee/tea maker (vital!), a Hair dryer, a In-room safe box, Linens, a Mini bar, and a Private bathroom. Oh, and Wi-Fi [free], which again, thank you. The Bed was fantastic, and the shower had the perfect water pressure.
However…and there's always a "however," isn't there? The decor felt a little…dated. Think safe, not wildly exciting. The Desk was a bit cramped, and the Mirror could have been bigger.
The Imperfections: The Real-Life Stuff
Okay, nobody's perfect, and neither is Boscastle House. The parking situation was a little chaotic at times. The Car park [free of charge] got pretty packed, but I always managed to find a spot eventually.
Getting Around (and Getting Lost)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. There are many options. I have a car, so I went with Car park [on-site] and tried not to think about it.
My Verdict: Dream Cornish Escape?… Mostly, Yes!
Would I go back to Boscastle House? Absolutely. Despite the few minor quibbles, the overall experience was fantastic. The location is stunning. The food is amazing (especially the clotted cream). The staff were friendly and helpful. The Wi-Fi worked! And the feeling of pure, unadulterated relaxation that washed over me was worth every
Garibaldi Milan: Secret History & Hidden Gems (ShortMi Revealed!)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're not just planning a trip to Boscastle House, we're living it. Forget perfectly curated Instagram squares, this is gonna be more like a messy, delightful, slightly chaotic scrapbook of a trip. Here we go, my Boscastle battlefield!
Boscastle Blitz: Diary of a Slightly Unhinged Tourist
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Cliffside Gamble
Afternoon (Because who wants to wake up early on holiday?): Landed in Bristol, which, let's be honest, felt like the middle of nowhere. Seriously, the train station was… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly grand central. The rental car? Brenda, bless her creaky heart. She's seen better days, probably involving a field and a picnic basket. Drive to Boscastle was a slow, scenic crawl. We should have chosen a more direct route, but Brenda and I were determined to see the world, or at least the Cornish countryside. The winding roads are gorgeous, but after three hours of that, my stomach was already plotting revenge.
Late Afternoon: Arrived in Boscastle. The village itself is utterly charming, like a chocolate box that's been slightly rained on, in a lovely way. The House? Well, Boscastle House looked like a dream, honestly. It was more impressive up close! The view from the balcony was like someone had painted an impressionist masterpiece. I may have squealed. Out of sheer, unadulterated delight. Brenda, of course, promptly coughed to life, threatening to stall on the sloped driveway. Note to self: park Brenda carefully.
Early Evening: Unpacked in the room, which, thankfully, was bigger than the photo made out. No complaints here, even the wallpaper had a quirky charm. (Maybe I'm just easily pleased by now.) Then, a mission. The Cliffside Walk of Doom (But with Views!): I'd read reviews – "breathtaking," "challenging," "wear sturdy shoes." My shoes? Fashionable, not quite "sturdy." I also, may have forgotten my water bottle. Cue the dramatic internal monologue: "Oh, I will die a slow and dramatic death." The walk was, indeed, breathtaking. The wind tried to steal my hat on several occasions. And I realized I have the lung capacity of a wheezing hamster by the final hill, but honestly, the view… worth every cramp. The sea did look magnificent though.
Evening: Dinner at the Napoleon Inn. (I think it's called that. Honestly, I was too busy eyeing the menu to pay attention). Fish and chips. Absolutely no regrets. I may have accidentally eaten the whole portion. Plus, the staff was lovely, and the local beer was nectar of the gods. Collapsed back at the house, utterly exhausted but content. Brenda was safely tucked away.
Day 2: Witchery & Whispers
Morning (ish): Okay, so "morning" is a loose term. Let's call it "mid-morning after a truly glorious sleep". Breakfast: Simple, but effective. Enough toast to fuel a small army. Then, the legendary Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Okay, I'm a total skeptic, but I'm also intrigued by the weird and wonderful, so in I went. The place is thick with atmosphere. Seriously, you could cut it with a butter knife. I'm not sure if I believe in witchcraft, but I definitely believe in the power of a good story, and the museum had plenty. The details – the spells, the history, the sheer oddity of it all – grabbed me. I even bought a postcard with a picture of a cauldron. Don't judge.
Afternoon: Browsing the shops, which, let's be honest, are all about the tourist tat and it's perfect. Needed a new hat. (The wind, you know). Got swept up in the tide of beautiful items. Saw a pretty shell and had to buy it. (My boyfriend is going to kill me). Also, the harbour is beautiful! Saw a dog. Gave it a pat. Everything’s now better.
Late Afternoon: Walk to the Valency Valley. Tried to be all poetic, "wandering through ancient woodlands blah blah", honestly, it started raining. And I, again, forgot my damn waterproof. Ended up looking like a drowned rat. But hey, the river was lovely, and the trees were ancient and magnificent. The whole place felt kind of magical. (Possibly the influence of the Museum of Witchcraft… or the rain making everything look more majestic).
Evening: Dinner at The Riverside. This time remembered the name! (Progress!) Amazing seafood. Seriously, the scallops were so melt-in-your-mouth good I almost cried. Talked with a local. Friendly bunch, all of them. We talked for hours, and I learned a lot about the area. The night was just perfect.
Day 3: Coastal Adventures and Departures
Morning: A slow start. The sun decided to make an appearance, which was a welcome change. Strolled along the coast path. Managed to walk a slightly less scary bit this time. And I definitely remembered the water bottle! The views, again, were spectacular. The dramatic cliffs, the crashing waves… I kept stopping to take photos, attempting to capture the sheer scale and beauty. I had a moment thinking how much I love the power of nature.
Late Morning: Visited the harbour again. Watched the boats bobbing about. It was tranquil, and I just wanted to soak it all in. The whole village had a fairytale feeling to it.
Afternoon: The dreaded departure. Brenda, thankfully, started without a fight. I felt a pang of sadness leaving the house – and Boscastle in general. This trip was amazing. I was reminded that I can't control anything at all. I learned to be ok with that and also learned how to enjoy myself. The experience was truly wonderful.
On the road: I'm tired, I'm happy, and my camera roll is full of blurry photos of the sea. Would I come back? Absolutely. Boscastle, you eccentric, beautiful, slightly windswept gem, I'll be back.
Things I Forgot/Need to Improve For Next Time:
- A proper waterproof jacket. And trousers.
- More comfortable shoes. (I'm blaming the fashion choices, not my ability to climb hills! (Totally kidding)).
- To remember the phone charger.
- To be more spontaneous.
- To learn something about Brenda, before I let her drive me around.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn't a perfect trip. But it was a real trip. It was messy, emotional, and filled with unexpected moments. And that, my friends, is what traveling – and life – is all about. I'll treasure these memories, the views, the food, the conversations, and the slightly terrifying cliffside walks. Until next time, Boscastle!
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So, like... What *is* this whole "Stuff" thing anyway? My brain hurts already.
Ugh, right? That's the *real* question, isn't it? Honestly? I'm still figuring it out. One minute it's a whimsical concept – the next, I'm staring blankly at the ceiling at 3 AM wondering how I ever got involved. Think of it like... well, a chaotic soup. You throw in a bit of this, a dash of that, maybe accidentally (or deliberately!) a whole load of something else. Some days the soup tastes amazing. Others? You're pretty sure you’re mainlining dish soap. But, hey, at least it's *something*.
Okay, so... practicalities. How do I actually *do* the "Stuff"? Is there a rule book, a secret handshake, a password? Because I hate those.
Rules? Hah! Secret handshakes? Even worse! The "Stuff" is less a tightly regulated institution and more like a free-for-all at a very weird potluck. Here's the thing: there's no right or wrong way to *do* it. Seriously. That's the beauty and the curse. It's all about embracing the chaos, the imperfections, the times when you think you're nailing it and then realize you’ve completely botched the landing. Just... try things. Break things. Learn things (or, you know, *don't* learn things – that's a valid option too). And for heaven's sake, don't take it all too seriously. You’ll only end up in a fetal position on the sofa, clutching a pint of ice cream and muttering about "the unfairness of it all." Not that I would know anything about *that*… cough.
I'm feeling overwhelmed already. Is it... hard? Like, really, really hard? I'm not good with hard.
Look, let's be honest. Sometimes it *is* brutally, cosmically, "want-to-chuck-my-laptop-out-the-window" hard. I remember one time, trying to... ahem... *attempt* the "Stuff", and it completely imploded. I’m talking epic fail. I spent two days staring at a blinking cursor, fueled by instant coffee and increasingly desperate internal monologues. I considered running away to join the circus (seriously, clowns seemed less intimidating at that point). But you know what? I got through it. Maybe not perfectly, maybe not even *well*, but I did. And that, my friend, is the real victory. The hard bits are what make the good bits shine. Plus, it's a great excuse to order pizza.
Okay, but like, *why*? What’s the point? What am I supposed to *get* out of this? Because if it's just more existential angst, I'd rather stick to watching cat videos.
Valid question! I've asked myself that a thousand times. The point? That's entirely up to you. Maybe it's about learning something new, pushing your boundaries, or just giving your brain something other than the mundane to chew on. Personally? I think it's about the *process*. That chaotic soup I mentioned? The messy, unpredictable, often frustrating process of *making* the soup. It's about those moments of pure joy when something clicks, those times when you surprise yourself with what you're capable of. And, honestly? It’s about finding a little bit of yourself, or at least a newer, weirder version of yourself. Or maybe it’s just about avoiding the aforementioned cat videos... who knows?
Can I fail? Like, *really* fail? What happens then? Do I get sent to like... "Fail Prison"?
Oh, honey, you can *absolutely* fail. In fact, you *should* expect to fail at some point. It’s practically a rite of passage! Fail Prison? Nah, no such thing. Unless you count the shame spiral you might find yourself in after a particularly spectacular debacle (been there, done that, got the t-shirt… which, by the way, is a bit stained). The beauty of the "Stuff" is that failure is just a stepping stone. A hilarious, sometimes tear-inducing stepping stone. It teaches you more than success ever could. It makes you resilient. It humbles you. And it provides *amazing* stories. Besides, if we're all really honest, we're all just winging it anyway. So, go on, fail gloriously! Then laugh about it later, preferably with a large glass of something bubbly.
So, I'm still confused and a little scared. Any advice? Like, *real* advice?
Okay, deep breaths. Here's the lowdown:
- **Start small.** Don't try to conquer the world on day one. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
- **Embrace the mess.** Let go of perfection. It's overrated. Seriously.
- **Ask for help.** Don't try to do it all alone. We're all in this together (even though sometimes it feels like we're not).
- **Don't be afraid to experiment.** Try weird things. Combine things that don't seem like they should go together. See what happens. Chances are, you’ll find something interesting.
- **And most importantly… have fun!** If it's not fun, what's the point? It should be an adventure, a journey, a slightly ridiculous escapade. If it stops being that… well, go watch some cat videos. I won't judge. Much.
What if I already *think* I know what I'm doing? Is this... still for me?
Oh, darling, if you *think* you know what you're doing, then you're *exactly* who this is for! Think of it as the next level. You think you know the rules? Okay, let's break 'em. You think you've got it all figured out? Let's scramble your brain a little. The "Stuff" isn't about being an expert; it's about constantly challenging yourself, questioning assumptions, and pushing boundaries. If you're comfortable, you're probably not growing. Besides, even the most seasoned veterans have those moments where they stare blankly at the ceiling, wondering what the heck they've gotten themselves into. Even I, with all my... knowledge... still feel like a deer in headlights sometimes. So jump in! The water's always, always, warmer in the chaos.
Is there a specific "community" or a support group? I'm gonna need a group hugInstant Hotel Search
