The Old Sunday School

The Old Sunday School is a luxurious holiday home for two on the Cornish side of the Tamar Valley. It’s part of a Grade II-listed former Wesleyan chapel, with stone walls that look completely at home in the surrounding rural village of Harrowbarrow. However, have a peek inside and you might be surprised, as this old school has a contemporary interior that’s at odds with its outside walls. High vaulted ceilings and beams remind you of the origins of this place, but there’s nothing austere or traditional here. This self-catering romantic retreat is light, airy and modern, with clean lines softened by sumptuous furnishings that add a luxurious feel to your stay.

This historic hideaway is open-plan, with a combined living room, dining room and fully-equipped kitchen on the ground floor, as well as a mezzanine bedroom upstairs with a superking bed. The bedroom space feels rather special indeed — with its en-suite bathroom and spacious walk-in shower, not to mention its own dressing room area. It’s separated from the ground floor only by a wall of glass. This clever design means that during the day the whole place is flooded with light from Velux windows above and the French doors that open to far-reaching countryside views. The colour palette flows throughout too; it’s mostly white and grey with complementary warm tones here and there. By night, the log burner adds a comforting glow. There's a Sonos sound system, good WiFi and a Smart TV with all Sky and TNT Sport channels, accessible in the living area and bedroom.

For two people it's super spacious and it’s praised by guests for having super hosts (who live next door), for being super clean and for being super dog-friendly too. That part can’t be emphasised enough. Cornish owners Jay and Lisa make sure everyone is welcome here and that includes any four-legged friends. Your outdoor space is a terrace with outdoor seating, a barbecue and those views across the Tamar Valley. In the immediate foreground, there is a field where you can let your dogs run free (providing the farmer is not working the land). And if you're planning a future group getaway to this neck of the woods, look no further than Jay and Lisa's other property, Bar-K — a luxury holiday home sleeping up to 12 with games room, hot tub and sauna.

On occasions when it’s not, or when you want to stretch your legs further, there are some good options. A 15-minute walk takes you to the neighbouring village of Metherell, where The Carpenter’s Arms provides a warm welcome, a refreshing pint and a bite to eat, and the National Trust gem Cotehele is only a little further down the road. Longer walks include the hike up Kit Hill, moorland hikes, and waterside wanders on the banks of the River Tamar. If you’re here for the beach, Jay’s tip is to head 40 minutes south to Whitsand Bay, where four miles of sand awaits.