Ealing House

Description

Ealing House, situated in the heart of Porthleven just a moment's stroll from the harbour, is a traditional detached Cornish cottage steeped in history; in its 160+ years it's been a general store, sweet shop, tobacconist and later home to Percy Edward Pinkerton the translator, writer and poet. It's in a great location in the heart of the village conveniently close to the harbour with its many shops, galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants and a short walk from the beach.

Entry is via a full width glazed porch which leads into a spacious lounge dining room, with access to small patio area via a glazed door. There is plenty of room to sit and dine in comfort and enjoy the entertainment available on the large Smart TV, which benefits from an Amazon Fire TV Stick and Netflix. To the rear of the property you will also find a well-equipped kitchen, spacious utility room and shower room/wc.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms, one double bedroom with fully fitted wardrobes and access to the balcony, one king bedroom and to the rear of the property a single bedroom with Juliet balcony. There is also a family bathroom with shower over bath.

For more information about the history of Ealing House please visit ealinghouse.com.

GROUND FLOOR:
Glazed entrance porch leading to:
Living/Dining Room: Smart TV with Fire TV Stick, Netflix and FreeSat, DVD player, Hi-Fi, dining table and chairs.
Kitchen: Kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher.
Utility: Washer/dryer.
Shower Room: Thermostatic shower, basin, wc.

FIRST FLOOR:
Bedroom 1: Double bed (4’6”), bedside tables, built-in wardrobes, access to balcony.
Balcony: Table and chairs.
Bedroom 2: King-size bed (5’), bedside tables, wardrobe.
Bedroom 3: Single bed (3’), bedside table, chest of drawers, Juliet balcony.
Bathroom: Bath with shower over, basin, wc.

GARDEN AND PARKING:
Small patio to the rear of the property with table and chairs. Plenty of on-street parking nearby but a private off-road parking space is available for one car (no campers or trailers) which is about a 7 minute walk from the property. If you require this parking space please ensure you send us details of your number plate and the make and model of the car at time of booking.

Changeover Day: Saturday – arrival 4:00pm – departure 10:00am.
Pets Welcome: Up to 2 dogs are welcome.
Power and Heat: Electricity included in the rent. Electric heaters throughout.
Baby Equipment: Travel cot and highchair provided, please bring your own cot bedding.
Bedding and Linen: Linen and towels provided, please bring your own beach towels.
Shop: 0.1 ml. Pub: 0.1 ml.

NOTES: No smoking. Super-fast fibre optic broadband (fibre to the premises) and WiFi provided. Mobile phone reception varies.

Local Area

Set on the west coast of the spectacular Lizard Peninsula, the little harbour town of Porthleven is the quintessential Cornish fishing village.

Ealing House, located in a quiet corner in the heart of the village, could not be better placed to enjoy all the port’s amenities; the harbour is less than 100 metres from the door!   And that’s where you’ll find the port’s array of shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants and two of its four pubs, one being The Harbour Inn (secret, don’t tell anyone, there’s a rear entrance in Prospect Place making it even closer to Ealing House).

Porthleven is the most southerly working port in the UK and with fishing boats operating out of the harbour it exudes a chilled, relaxed atmosphere making the town a great spot to enjoy some delicious seafood, straight from the fishing boats to the restaurants; it couldn’t be fresher!

Porthleven has its popular annual festivals; Gig Day and Lifeboat Day in the summer months, and in springtime the Porthleven Food Festival, that in 2018 has grown into a three-day event.  Ealing House situated in its quiet location just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of these events offers easy access to all the fun whilst also offering a place of calm.  Dates for these events vary so please contact us for the latest details.

Porthleven beach (that in peak seasons has RNLI lifeguard cover) can be accessed from the town itself and provides a long expanse of sand which is separated into segments by several rocky outcrops.  While away the glorious summer days relaxing on the beach with a locally made ice cream in hand!

Situated part way along the huge sweeping Mount’s Bay, the beach faces the Atlantic Ocean and is often on the receiving end of some mighty winter storms!  A fabulous destination for a winter break; marvel at the awe-inspiring waves pounding the harbour walls from the cosy safety of one of the two pubs located at the harbour!

The surrounding area doesn’t disappoint either; located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the views from every cove or clifftop are picture-perfect. Travel north-west and you’ll reach Marazion, home of St Michael’s Mount – an absolute ‘must’.  South takes you to the tip of the Lizard Peninsula and Lizard Point, one of Cornwall’s most iconic spots.

Porthleven is situated right on the South West Coastal Path, perfect for keen walkers and their dogs but, even if the thought of hiking that is too daunting, you won’t tire of the stunning scenery seen whilst strolling along the many local walks.  If you fancy a more relaxed day out, try the Seal Sanctuary, Flambards or Trebah Gardens; or go a little further afield and you can explore Penzance, Land’s End and St Ives.

History

Beginning as a traditional net loft, Ealing House is an original fisherman’s cottage, built circa 1850, of almost two feet thick (60 Centimeter) granite & slate walls and old oak timbers. At the time Ealing House was built, the outer harbour at Porthleven had been completed some 25 years previous but the pier and inner harbour protection was still under construction. Clearly the port was beginning to flourish and fishermen began to construct their homes near and around the port but just sufficiently away to avoid the vagaries of the winter weather. Little of the early history of the property is known: Title Deeds do not now detail previous ownership, although we are investigating. What we do know however is that the lower floor was used for hanging the fishing nets and the upper floor housed the living quarters.

The house formed part of the Penrose Estate, as did much of Porthleven, and in a conveyance dated 28th July 1926, John Peverell Rogers (the then Squire of Penrose) sold land and property to the then recently wed (Q3 1925 at Helston), Thomas James Hocking (a coal merchant) and his wife Emily Jane (née Turner), for £230. This property comprised what is now Ealing House plus two cottages that are now combined as Kyldenna (formerly named Homleigh) and cellars to the rear.

The land next door, upon which Trefusis (formerly Jersey Cottage) stands, is shown as another property owned by the Squire and the building the other side of Ealing House is described as a Fish Cellar occupied by Fox & Co, behind which is a garden and land that is now Elfin Cottage. The plans are definitely inaccurate though as they show properties, yards and lands stretching as far as The Gue (then spelt Gew) and both Elfin Cottage and cottages in Church Lane, that must predate 1926, are not shown. The plans are arguable as there is much property situated between Kyldenna and The Gue and the buildings are out of proportion with the described land area. Prospect Place is an unnamed road and the path leading to Kyldenna (Church Lane) is also unnamed.

What is particularly interesting however, is that Ealing House is described as a shop and dwelling house late in possession of Harriet Kitto (sister of Richard Kitto who famously owned the Porthleven boatyard). On the 1861 census, Harriet Kitto was said to be a 22 year old Grocer's assistant in Breage and on the 1871 census she was an unmarried Grocer. Then by the 1881 census she was a shopkeeper in Porthleven; still unmarried, with her assistant (& niece) Elizabeth Kitto. Harriett remained a spinster as the 1911 census shows her as the owner of a six-room "small general shop" in Prospect Place [later to be named Ealing House].

Thus Ealing House was almost certainly used as a shop from the 1880's through 1911 and possibly on to 1926 when Harriet passed away at the age of 87 during the March Quarter; shortly after which its conveyance to the Hockings occurred.

What the cellars are to the rear of Kyldenna is unknown. However it is known that the two cottages comprising the now named Kyldenna were sold by the Hockings' to the Orchards' in 1930 for the princely sum of £150; Ealing House therefore having cost the Hockings' £80. Kyldenna stayed in the Orchard family for 66 years; and it would seem the Hockings retained Ealing House as landlords as they made their home in what is now the An Mordros hotel on Peverell Terrace.

We are aware that Ealing House was a sweet shop and tobacconist during the late 40’s and 50’s. At which time the front conservatory and balcony did not exist and the entrance was from steep steps up through the double doors. When the front conservatory was built the entrance became easier to negotiate but due to the lay of the land you now step down into the house.

The property is approximately 100 yards from the harbour area. However, due to the surrounding properties (some built in recent times) the cottage doesn’t now possess views of the harbour; although the hillsides to the west are clearly visible and a glimpse of the sea may be had from the balcony on good days. The cottage faces due south west and therefore, weather permitting, the front benefits from sunny afternoons in both summer and wintertime. Though its position also serves to provide considerable protection in stormy weather and its location was no doubt well considered by its builders for that very reason.

Ealing House was given its name by Emily Hocking who hailed from Ealing (West London).