Trebah Lodge

Helford River | Mawnan Smith

Sleeps: 4
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Pets: Welcome

WiFi
Parking
Dishwasher
Woodburner
Patio
TV
Pet Friendly
Garden

Summary

Set on the grounds of the historic, subtropical Trebah Gardens that has flourished for nearly two centuries, Trebah Lodge offers a truly magical stay close to Durgan and Helford. Inside, the interiors reflect this cottage’s botanical legacy, with artwork adorning the walls and shelves topped with books of natural history curiosities. During your stay, a rare experience awaits—you can wander through the gardens after hours, listening to nature and taking in the beauty at your own pace.

As you enter the hallway you are greeted by an original cream and rouge checkerboard floor accented by delicate peach walls and wooden coat hooks. The lodge’s interiors are thoughtfully styled, with traditional colours and accents of grandeur in every corner. From the splendid roll-top bath in the ensuite to the plush green velvet sofa in the reading room. The sophisticated kitchen, with its granite countertops and Belfast double sink, invites you to throw open the patio doors and enjoy breakfast al fresco on the outdoor dining table.

Through the hallway, you have a choice of sitting rooms, one with a comfortable leather armchair, sofa and television. The reading room is ideal for family games on the coffee table and Sunday morning quiet hour with a good read. Layers of green and gold shades frame the horticultural setting.

Heading upstairs, the wooden-panelled bedrooms, each with its ensuite, are warm sanctuaries filled with ambient lighting and topped with sumptuous throws, for your afternoon snooze after a day of exploration.

This is a place where Beatrix Potter romance meets the comforts of contemporary living, offering a unique Cornish holiday. The old coach house to the iconic garden is a living witness to the adventurous spirit of a Cornish shipping family who brought back exotic plants from distant lands.

The true magic of Trebah Lodge lies just beyond its doorstep. Wander through the garden’s four miles of footpaths, where sweeping views and natural displays wait to greet you. Cross the Mallard Pond bridge, reminiscent of Monet’s famous painting ‘Bridge over a pond of water lilies. Take a moment to marvel at the towering leaves of Gunnera Passage, which leads you beneath a great swathe of ‘elephant’s rhubarb’. Follow the gentle spring down from The Water Garden to the secluded beach overlooking the Helford River, where you can cool off in the clear waters, explore rock pools, and watch boats moored in the estuary.

Trebah Gardens offers a stunning display of nature’s beauty all year round. In spring, the garden bursts into life with Daffodils and Rhododendrons, while summer brings large Hydrangea blooms and beautiful Salvia, much loved by the bees. Autumn’s warm hues give way to winter’s serene landscapes, where early-flowering Snowdrops offer a preview of the coming spring. Take a moment to sit by Alice’s Seat, perhaps with a sketchbook in hand, and capture the garden’s timeless vistas. Whether you seek adventure or peaceful reflection, Trebah Lodge provides a unique setting for an unforgettable Cornish getaway, as you become the gatekeeper to the magical Trebah Gardens, your own private, after-hours oasis.

Particulars

Access

The property offers one step up from the driveway to the ground floor. Both bedrooms are located upstairs, accessible via a flight and a half of stairs with a hand rail/banister.

Entrance Hall

The hallway features a tiled floor and coat hooks.

Kitchen and Dining Area

With granite worktops, breakfast bar and stools, four-ring induction hob, electric oven, tall fridge/freezer, microwave, aged brass deVOL tap, Thomas Denby double Belfast sink, integrated dishwasher, kettle, toaster, Nespresso coffee machine and milk frother. Large patio doors to the garden. Dining table with six chairs.

Utility Room

Adjacent to the dining area, the utility room includes a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Sitting Room

With a velvet sofa, leather armchair, 42” TV, and a wood burner.

Reading Room

With two velvet sofas, treasure chest coffee table, cabinetry and ambient lighting.

Cloakroom

With wc and hand basin.

First Floor

Stairs leading to bedroom one on the east side of the house and bedroom two on the west, with open hallway to the latter.

Bedroom One

King size (5ft) bed with a luxury mattress, bedside shelves, wall-mounted lamps, free-standing wardrobe, chest of drawers and chair.

Ensuite Bathroom

Walk-in shower, basin, wc, dual-fuel heated towel rail, and roll top, double ended, free standing bath.

Bedroom Two

King size (5ft) bed with luxury mattress, bedside tables, wall-mounted lamps, oak wall hooks for clothes hanging and a chair.

Ensuite Shower Room

Walk-in shower with product shelf, wash basin, wc, and dual-fuel heated towel rail.

Garden and Patio

Outdoor seating for six and two sun loungers. Fully enclosed garden with wooden gate to be shut during your stay.

Storage Shed

Dry storage is available for bikes, surfboards, etc. (not lockable).

Parking

Ample parking for two cars, one on the driveway and the second in the public car park, just close by.

Special Evening Garden Access

Guests can enjoy Trebah Garden during the daytime with the public, and after hours all to themselves. Maps of the garden are provided, as well as an evening access guide. No BBQs or fires are permitted in the main, court garden, or on the beach.

Availability

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Arrival/Departure Dates

Booked/Unavailable

Selected Dates

Location and Surrounding Area

Take in the charm and beauty of the Helford River, with waterside walks, delightful food, and traditional Cornish villages. Begin your adventure on your doorstep at the renowned Trebah Garden, and the equally stunning Glendurgan Garden next door. For a feel of the wild, head to St. Anthony-in-Meneage. Wander along the footpath, across fields, to find the coastal path, which takes you through ancient woodlands. Walk past hidden coves like Ponsence and Bosahan, surrounded by lush greenery. This quiet stretch of the South West Coast Path leads to the Helford River, where a footbridge takes you to Helford village. Stop by the local store for unique gifts and food essentials, then continue past cottages to the Shipwrights Arms, a charmingly thatched riverside pub.

Venture out to Helston and explore the National Trust’s Penrose Estate, home to Cornwall’s largest natural lake, Loe Pool. Walks around the estate grounds are ideal for walkers, dogs and families alike, offering wide footpaths, free parking, and a well-marked trail. The route takes you through picturesque woodlands and along tranquil lakeside views, eventually leading to the intriguing Loe Bar—a once-river estuary now blocked by a shingle bar. The beach here has fascinating geology but not a place to swim. From Loe Bar, a walk along the coastal path brings you to the harbour village of Porthleven. This Cornish village is filled with shops, pubs, a market, and tempting food spots. If you don’t fancy the walk home, you can jump on the bus back to Helston.

Reviews

Anon - February 2026

Very quiet and a good standard. The cream tea on arrival was very much appreciated. Bathroom was clean. Kitchen was good. Sofa in the living room was very old and uncomfortable. There were a couple of cobwebs in the hallway. The stair rail going up the stairs was inadequate and the 3 stairs into the bedroom could benefit from a rail. The green emergency light in the bedroom was very bright all night and made it difficult to relax. The beds were very comfortable; mattress protector needed changing.

Response

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We’re so pleased to hear that you found the lodge quiet and to a good standard. The cream tea on arrival certainly gives a warm Cornish welcome. It’s also wonderful to know that you found the kitchen well-equipped and the beds very comfortable. We really appreciate you highlighting those details for our housekeeping team. The mattress protector has been replaced, and the hallway has been thoroughly checked for cobwebs. While the property is carefully cleaned before every arrival, the occasional web can appear between cleaning and arrival — spiders are surprisingly quick and on average, it takes 30–60 minutes to weave a web. Regarding the green emergency light in the bedroom, this is a hard-wired safety feature, and we do understand that it can feel bright for some guests. We are currently looking at adding a subtle cover to soften the light for those who are affected while sleeping. For this reason, we mention it in our welcome guide and recommend bringing an eye mask if you are a light sleeper, although we appreciate this may not suit everyone. In terms of the sofas, they are period in style to reflect the lodge’s history and were purchased new by the interior designer prior to launching the cottage in September 2024. We understand that comfort is very personal and value your feedback. We hope to welcome you back to the Helford River when you're ready. Best wishes, Sarah and the Cornish Holiday Cottages team
Anon - January 2026

Excellent, well-equipped cottage in lovely location. Lovely garden and very close to south coastal path. Falmouth and shops a short drive away.

Response

Thank you so much for your five-star review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at this special cottage. It sounds like you had lots of fun exploring the local area. We hope to welcome you back again in the future. All our best wishes, Sarah and the team at Cornish Holiday Cottages
Anon - September 2025

Trebah Lodge is superb. A very comfortable and well-equipped home-from-home with access to the splendid Trebah Gardens. Visiting the Gardens themselves is especially good as there’s no rush to see it all in a day - free access during our stay, especially when they are closed to the public, was better than we’d expected even though we knew Trebah before staying. We’d recommend it wholeheartedly and without hesitation.
Karen - August 2025

Gorgeous cottage. Beautifully decorated and well equipped. It was a real privilege being able to access Trebah Gardens and beach after hours. All the staff were lovely, helpful and welcoming. We loved all of this. The only surprise was how busy the road was. We live in a very quiet place so maybe we noticed it more than most!

Response

Thank you for your feedback. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your stay and had the special experience of visiting Trebah Garden in the evenings. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. All our best wishes, Sarah and the team at Cornish Holiday Cottages.
Anon - July 2025

A lovely building Beautifully finished, very comfortable beds, linen and towels. Good living space, hope to return for another relaxing holiday sometime. Trebah gardens are a delight and so great to have access out of hours and enjoy the peace and tranquility.
Nina - May 2025

Beautiful location. Top quality accommodation. Not your usual cheap appliances. Great quality kitchen. Ideal position for beaches, Falmouth and Trebar Gardens
Anon - May 2025

Excellent in every respect. Spacious and comfortable. An attractive and secure garden was enjoyed by the dog. A great balance between modern kitchen, bathroom etc and traditional & period items of furniture. Cannot fault it and would definitely book to stay there again
Andy - April 2025

Lovely cottage, really well appointed and the location is beautiful. Having the gardens to yourself after hours is a major treat.
Jeanette Hodge - February 2025

Trebah Lodge is a lovely property. The refurbished lodge was found clean and comfortable. There was nothing I could say that would stop us staying again. Trebah garden is stunning (every season) always something new to discover. The Trebah staff team were helpful and friendly, Milo (our dog) especially enjoyed his treats from the ladies every day. The restaurant menu had a varied choice. The pear and ginger cake was delicious ! We would highly recommend this property.

Response

Thank you for your wonderful review. The team and I are happy to hear that you had a lovely holiday. We’re so pleased you found Trebah Lodge comfortable for your stay. It sounds like you made the most of your all-hours access to Trebah Garden. We're especially delighted to hear that dear Milo enjoyed his Cornish holiday and was 'well treated' by the lovely Trebah team. We’d love to welcome you back on your next visit to Falmouth. All our best, Sarah and the team at Cornish Holiday Cottages
Lesley Stanbury - November 2024

Super clean and very welcoming with an absolutely delicious Cornish cream tea waiting for us! A wonderfully fitted kitchen with lots of extras you don’t necessarily see in other holiday rentals. The lighting in the lounges was dim and the tv offered BBC coverage only - this could have been us though! The staff at Trebah Gardens were welcoming and we loved the gardens, shop and the cafe. Sunday lunch was special. We would love to return!

Response

It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your time at Trebah Lodge, especially the cream tea and thoughtful kitchen extras – those small touches really do make all the difference. Thank you for your feedback on your stay. As this is a new cottage, we’re especially grateful for your review. The Trebah Lodge maintenance team has ordered a TV aerial booster to ensure the television covers all live channels, so guests can enjoy their favourite shows while away. The standing lamp from the living room is being repaired, which should help with the reading light situation. The Trust will also be purchasing another lamp to ensure there’s a reading light available in both sitting rooms. It’s excellent to hear that you loved the extra benefits of staying at Trebah Lodge – it really is a special place to relax with so much right on your doorstep. We look forward to welcoming you again. Best wishes, Sarah and the CHC team

Response

Thank you for attempting to improve the lighting in the lounges and for attempting to offer more channels on the tv!! We are very appreciative and look forward to using your services in the future!
Keith & Marie - December 2024

Perfect location, excellent food (at Trebah), and free run of the gardens, what more could you want.

Response

Thank you for your kind words and feedback Keith. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the location, the fantastic food at Trebah, and the beautiful gardens. We’d love to welcome you back anytime. Best wishes, Sarah & The Cornish Holiday Cottages Team
Anon - November 2024

Ideal location and a privilege to have access to Trebah gardens when it’s closed to the public. Furnishings and kitchen equipment of a very high standard added to the enjoyment of the week

Response

Thank you for your great feedback. It really is a special treat to experience Trebah Gardens after hours, and we're so pleased you enjoyed the high-quality furnishings and well-equipped kitchen. Inside and out, you can see the care and love that has been taken to preserve the character of the building. We'd be delighted to welcome you back some day. Best wishes, Sarah and The Cornish Holiday Cottages Team
Deborah Couzens - November 2024

A wonderful lodge at the entrance to the stunning Trebah Gardens. Beautifully decorated with everything you need for a brilliant stay whatever the weather. A few minor comments; the en-suite bathroom is marvellous but the shower tray is very shallow and the free standing bath tub is best avoided if you are under 6 foot tall or a bit creaky! Also it would be great to have had a decent reading light in one of the two sitting rooms

Response

Many thanks for your feedback on Trebah Lodge Deborah. We are so delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the house and gardens. Another reading light we can certainly procure. The shower tray is low for aesthetic purposes, however I see your point about the bath, perhaps a step would help for those less tall/mobile? Thank you again for taking the time to send us your constructive points, in what is a fairly new venture for Trebah Trust. Best wishes, Emily - Cornish Holiday Cottages
Elizabeth Hoskins - November 2024

For us, this was a return from Northumberland to Trebah Garden, one of our very favourite places. We became life members of the Trust when we first moved to Cornwall and spent many happy family hours there as our grandchildren grew up. So, when we discovered that Trebah Lodge was available as holiday accommodation just as we were planning visit back to Mawnan Smith, we were excited to stay there. We were not disappointed! Apart from the joy of strolling into the Garden, the Lodge itself is a wonderful fusion of the traditional lodge and the new kitchen/dining area. We, and our dog, were very comfortable and friends from the area were very impressed. The Lodge is very well equipped and the small garden is a good, safe area for dogs (and children!). There is such a sense of peace around too.

Response

Thank you for sharing your extra special experience. It’s heartwarming to hear how special Trebah Garden is to you and your family, and we’re so pleased Trebah Lodge made your return visit even more memorable. Knowing that you, your dog, and your friends felt so comfortable means a lot, as the team at Trebah worked hard to get it just right. We’d love to welcome you back for more peaceful moments and strolls through the garden. Best wishes, sarah and the Cornish Holiday Cottages team
Anon - October 2024

Trebah Lodge is a delight and has been beautifully renovated. It looks out over fields on two sides which is a lovely outlook. It totally captures the period history of the building along with an extremely high standard of modern conveniences. We had several delightful and solitary walks through the gardens and saw the Hunter's supermoon rising when on the beach by ourselves - an amazing experience !! We loved having cosy fires in the log burner nearly every day and a fabulous Full English (Cornish) to set us up for our journey home. Great food options all round at Trebah Kitchen. Lovely friendly staff and locals, both at Trebah and in Mawnan Smith. Thank you to everyone for such great memories.

Response

What a time to be at Trebah Lodge, with that gorgeous Hunter's Moon illuminating the beach and garden! I am so pleased you enjoyed the house and setting and have created wonderful memories. Please do visit again, Emily - Cornish Holiday Cottages
Sharon Ellis - October 2024

Trebah Lodge was absolutely lovely. It was a cosy comfortable home away from home. It was beautifully curated with sympathetic nods to its Arts and Crafts era and to the natural environment epitomised in Trebah Gardens itself. In contrast to the cosiness but not detracting from it was the thoroughly modern kitchen and bathrooms which were well kitted out. The garden was a simple, functional space. It was well enclosed to keep all doggies safe inside.
Sandra Jones - September 2024

A truly lovely cottage with every facility staff so friendly. Great to be able to walk garden at night and hae to yourself. Wonderful welcome with cream tea

Notes

Arrival from 4 pm.
Departure by 10 am.
Beds made ready for arrival.
Tea towels provided.
Bath towels provided, please bring your own beach towels.
Heating inclusive.
Mobile signal – good

Complimentary Wi-Fi provided.
No smoking.
£200 security deposit – only chargeable for damages (which will be discussed with you in advance of processing the charge).

Heating: The heating is controlled by a thermostat. Furthermore each radiator has a valve that can be opened or closed as required.

Pets: Up to two well behaved dogs, (over the age of one), are welcome to stay at £30 per dog. Dogs must be kept on a lead everywhere at Trebah, except the lodge’s private garden. More dog information can be found at: www.trebahgarden.co.uk/dog-friendly

Garden Access: Free access to the gardens from 9.30 am daily and after they close until dusk. We have provided you with maps of the garden, as well as an evening access guide. No BBQs or fires are permitted in the main court, garden or on the beach. Please note that during the summer months, there may be evening performances in the amphitheatre. Please refer to the Trebah website for times and dates.

Memory Wall

Peter & Debbie, staying at Trebah Lodge

The Mallard Pond bridge at Trebah Gardens

Peter and Debbie

Peter & Debbie, staying at Trebah Lodge

Cooling dips at Trebah's very own pebble beach

Peter and Debbie

Peter & Debbie, staying at Trebah Lodge

The view from Trebah's beach looking towards Porth Saxon beach.

Peter and Debbie