WELCOME TO YOUR SANCTUARY IN CORNWALL
A place to unplug, unwind, relax and reconnect with nature.
Discover zero carbon living at The Sanctuary Cornwall, an offgrid eco lodge , set in 12 acres of mixed woodland and pasture. It overloooks Golant village and the Fowey Estuary, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The emphasis is on connecting with nature & sampling sustainable living at our pioneering project.
It is an ideal retreat for walkers, cyclists, kayakers, artists, writers, photographers and nature lovers. There are 4 comfortable twin or king ensuite bedrooms, each with a private outdoor seating area overlooking the estuary, organic bedlinen, underfloor heating, rainhead showers, and upcycled furnishings.
There is also a spacious, open plan self catering apartment for 2 or 3 guests, which can be converted into a meeting room/classroom.
Various footpaths connect you to Fowey, Lostwithiel and the Saints Way.
Get close to estuary wildlife on a kayak trip with our sister company Encounter Cornwall, or bring your own and we can offer advice on the best routes to take. Spot kingfishers, herons and possibly our resident seal!
There are no TVs or WiFi (although you can access 4G).
Solar is our main source for electricity and heating – and water comes from our own borehole. A log boiler, using our own logs, provides heat in the winter months and as a last resort we have a backup generator. Parking is limited and restricted to one vehicle per room (additional cars can use the village car park 5 minutes walk away).
Our rooms are normally booked on a Bed & Breakfast basis, but the Sanctuary is also available for residential courses and small groups. We provide a locally sourced buffet breakfast, with tea and coffee available all day.
Let owls & curlews serenade you to sleep and come and find your Sanctuary in Cornwall!
STAYING WITH US
Features
WAKE UP WITH A VIEW
We have four individually styled en-suite bedrooms plus our Barn Owl Suite, all enjoying panoramic views over the river, village and countryside. All have their own terrace space with table & chairs. Our larger Oak room and the Barn Owl suite are also suitable for those with mobility needs. Every room has the option of king size or twin beds, and of adding a third smaller single bed to each room. They also have comfy chairs and a small table. Reading lights are attached to the headboards, with small bedside tables. Oak & Birch can be hired to make a suite of rooms.
THE FINEST LOCAL PRODUCE
THE FINEST LOCAL PRODUCE
We offer a continental buffet breakfast, so that you can help yourself when you are ready. We normally offer this between 8am-10am, but are happy to be flexible if you can give us some notice! We try to source our food as locally as possible – bread is either from Quay Bakery or Niles in Fowey. Our local Leyonne farm produces milk for Trewithen Diaries, so we use their butter, milk and yoghurt as much as possible. Eggs are also supplied by the farm, the coffee is from Olfactory coffee roasters in Falmouth and tea from the Tregothnan estate, also near Falmouth.
GET OUT THERE!
You are spoilt for choice in this beautiful part of Cornwall! The Sanctuary has 12 acres of sloping land to explore. It is being managed as a wildlife haven, so it is not manicured and has uneven paths, rabbit holes and tree roots, so please take care where you put your feet. We have mown paths around to help guide you, but point out that it is your responsibility to take care. Paths from our land lead to over 100 acres of wild space, known as ‘Golant Downs’ which have paths leading through the woods down to Sawmills Creek (Bodmin Pill) and on to Fowey.
HOW TO ARRIVE
Location
We are located in the picturesque village of Golant which overlooks the estuary about two miles upstream from the town of Fowey.
400 Metres
FROM THE FOWEY ESTUARY
4 Miles
TO FOWEY
400 Metres
TO CANOE / KAYAK HIRE
TESTIMONIALS
What our guests say:
I am just back after spending the weekend at the Sanctuary. I can honestly say I didn’t want to leave! A group of us renting the whole place out, and used the Barn Owl room as a place to relax and socialise. It was absolutely perfect! Everything we needed was provided, including cake 🙂 also with a big underlying message of sustainability, which sounds silly but I hadn’t considered before. Everything about the Sanctuary has been done with love and thought in mind. The rugs are all made from plastic recycled bottles, the toiletries are bars with no plastic waste, as much of the food as possible is locally sourced. Karen was so helpful, and so knowledgeable, and nothing was too much trouble, local taxi numbers, maps of the walks and of course getting me in touch with David to organise the kayaking. Even the rain didn’t dampen our spirits, and allowed for a picture of a beautiful rainbow over the estuary! I am already looking forward to my next trip! I am just wondering which lucky friend I will take along 🙂
Su C, Surrey
Such an inspiring place, you really couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting. The owners are so passionate and knowledgeable about nature, and so committed to environmental sustainability.
ALICE, LONDON
The Sanctuary is the perfect name for the beautiful building and setting, which has amazing views over the River Fowey. Much care and consideration has gone into the guest experience, with stylish and comfortable beds and linen through to mini soaps, hair bars and paw balm for visiting dogs – all eco friendly. Delicious breakfasts include cold meats and cheeses, artisan bread and fresh fruit, many of which are sourced locally…..we particularly liked the Olfactory coffee.
Celia, LONDON
What a pleasant surprise when we arrived at this beautiful place. The perfect place for total relaxation and the views are amazing over the river Fowey. Karen is such a lovely host and always there to give advice at breakfast time. The ambience of this eco building is well thought out and planned to perfection. Breakfast consists of locally produced products – local Cornish butter and the most wonderful local muesli that I have had to source as it was really nice, the delicious local cheese and cold meats selection and fresh bread daily was a treat to waken to every day. The walk up the hill is not for the faint hearted but it’s all part of the location and being offgrid is really nice. Plenty of lovely walks right on your doorstep and plenty of lovely village within a few miles of the property. Charlestown being one of them and Fowey with its quaint little shops. We will definitely be coming back and we were made welcome bringing our pet dog with us.
John W, LONDON
The Sanctuary only opened a couple of months ago (July 2019), what a find. Stayed away here for 3 nights with a friend who now lives abroad for a chilled out catch-up in Cornwall. Beautiful rooms, host has her art and other people’s throughout. A green eco-haven with every thought gone into sustainable design and furnishing. Views from the room are stunning: we went up the river on kayaks which felt like a mini wilderness and a beautiful village tucked at the end. Enjoyed visiting the town of Fowey and Lost Gardens of Heligan; you are very near the Eden project. Lovely locals at the village pub and generous, tasty meals. Breakfast at the Sanctuary is relaxed and sociable with heaps of locally sourced food. Just a lovely vibe and make sure you explore the surrounding land and woods too. Finally, two fab border collies and dog friendly accomodation makes this a place I would love to come back to. I wish Karen & David all the best and thanks for a magical, perfect stay.
Mandy J, Hampshire
Karen was a lovely host who wants her guests to have fun, be able to relax and enjoy themselves in ‘non compromised’ comfort, all the while keeping it ecologically friendly and sustainable. She succeeds on every level.
Robin A, UK
I just wanted to tell you how very extraordinarily superb our experience at your Sanctuary was! Your place, the view, the rooms and above all your philosophy, hospitality and friendliness were outstanding. I could not say one thing you could improve and it was such a change over the impressions we’ve got prior to meeting you and staying at the Sanctuary. All the best and good luck with your projects!
Martin Z, Switzerland
Fantastic hostess, within an amazing new eco build. It’s up a very steep hill but you get used to it after the first time, you need to, to enjoy such fantastic views. If you visit the owners woodland there are some quirky areas and a pond which I didn’t realise until the last day. We took our two boys 14 & 10 and seeing no WiFi they coped well – we wanted to give them the experience of what life can be without electronics. Boys say BIG THANK YOU for the homemade cake, I didn’t get a look in.
Donna F, UK
It was a wonderful experience and we will back in future. Bed was fantastically comfortable, the whole mood of the place was just what we needed and host was absolutely superb.
Lee & Wendy, UK
Lovely location with great views of the river. beds comfortable and room clean. Karen very accommodating and helpful with nothing too much trouble. Truly dog friendly.
Sandra, UK
Proving offgrid living can be done beautifully without sacrifice! Bed was extra comfy, views (especially the sun rising over the estuary) were out of this world.
Charlotte, UK
Karen & David couldn’t be better hosts – catering for my dietary needs and even picking me up from the station. The Sanctuary is beautifully situated with wonderful views over the estuary. There is lots of lovely attention to detail. It has made me even more mindful of water and power usage than I already was. Karen & David are the loveliest hosts and their dogs are adorable! I will definitely be returning.
Emma C, Devon
Great weekend break at the Sanctuary, stayed in the Barn Owl Suite which is very comfortable and clean! Thoughtful host who left goodies for my dog and a jug of milk in the fridge. Amazing views over the river
Amy, UK
Very peaceful, quite with amazing views and even nicer host. Will definitely stay there again.
Osama, NZ
The location is idyllic. The steep hill climb to get to the Sanctuary is worth every step! The views across the Fowey estuary are breathtaking and the peace and serenity unrivalled. A real piece of heaven! As an eco designed place for guests, which is completely offgrid, the Sanctuary provides luxurious accommodation and facilities, Delicious breakfasts with locally sourced ingredients included the best muesli we had ever tasted, jams and marmalades that had us searching around local shops so we could take some home with us, gorgeous breads, meats, fruits and cheeses. Karen & David were also warm and welcoming hosts, passionate and enthusiastic about their fabulous B&B. We’re already planning for when we might be able to come and stay again.
Libby, UK
From the moment we got out of the car we relaxed, how can you fail to, in such incredible surroundings! Every need is catered for with such attention to detail and great thought for the environment. The views and ambience of the building and surroundings are just amazing. We certainly got what we were looking for and more. We disconnected from the hustle and bustle of our busy daily routines and left feeling energised and content. We are already planning a return visit with our four legged friends and maybe some of our two legged friends too……if we can bring ourselves to share this hidden gem with them!
Luke T, UK
This is a beautiful place to stay in Cornwall! The Sanctuary is beautiful. The owners could not be more helpful and made it an excellent holiday. 10/10 in every way.
Alex C, UK
This hotel was fantastic. Clean, modern rooms with a beautiful view and perfect hosts as well. Would highly recommend.
VT, UK
