A week at North Rocks

Unwind by the ocean in your own clifftop retreat, where your window frames endless ocean views. Welcome to North Rocks – part of The Iconic Set and perched above one of West Cornwall’s most striking shorelines. 

With a heated pool framed by parasols and loungers, a cedarwood sauna and cold plunge tub overlooking the Atlantic, and direct access to the South West Coast Path at the edge of the garden, North Rocks invites you to live slowly and in saltwater style.  

The interiors blend rustic character and timeless charm, with antique furniture, sun-drenched conservatories, and huge sea-facing windows that make the ever-changing tides part of the experience. From the moment you arrive, everything slows and you instantly feel calm. 

Here’s an itinerary to spend the perfect week living the coastal highlife at North Rocks. 

Day 1: Arrival and sea gazing

Check in, drop your bags and breathe. The Atlantic rolls in front of you, an endless blue that calms in an instant. Wander the house – perhaps claiming the grand master suite with glittering sea views – and then throw open the doors to the garden. Dip your toes in the pool, pour a glass of something chilled and watch the surfers below trace lines across the water. The colours here are extraordinary – amber skies, pink-tinged cliffs and deep blue water. 

Day 2: Poolside lounging

Begin with a stretch on the patio or with a book by the pool. Then try the full spa circuit: fire up the ocean-facing sauna, brave the invigorating cold plunge tub, and sink into a sun lounger wrapped in soft towels. 

Recline on the hammock suspended beside the pool, gently swaying under Cornish skies as the tide shifts and light dapples the garden. For lunch, prep a mezze board in the country-style kitchen and eat alfresco. 

Evenings are for stargazing from the daybed or padding inside for a slow film night in the snug with blankets and popcorn. 

Day 3: Coastal walking

Pull on your walking shoes and step straight onto the South West Coast Path from the private gate at the bottom of the garden. This is a walk of cinematic scale: sheer cliffs, crashing waves, wildflowers and seabirds. 

Head south to Land’s End, stopping to admire the famous sea stacks and the lighthouse in the distance, visible from your bedroom at North Rocks. Refuel at Land’s End with coffee and cake, then take the slow route home and rest in the conservatory as the sun pours in. 

Day 4: Sennen surf and village life

Wander down to Sennen Cove – just 200 metres from your door – and enjoy one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches. The sand is as white as sugar, the water a bright blue-green, and dolphins are often cresting in the distance. 

Book a surf lesson with Sennen Surfing Centre or Smart Surf School or simply swim and sunbathe to your heart’s content. For lunch, head to the Blue Lagoon for fish and chips or Sennen Surf Lodge for seafood and small plates. 

Day 5: Art and adventure

Spend the day exploring. Drive to nearby St Ives for galleries and boutiques – the Tate and Barbara Hepworth Museum are must-visits – or explore the tiny fishing village of Mousehole. Don’t miss the Roundhouse and Capstan Gallery in Sennen for locally made ceramics and sea-inspired artwork. 

Back at North Rocks, sink into a slower pace. Try a pre-dinner sauna and cold plunge followed by a firepit under starry skies. 

Day 6: Cape Cornwall  

Walk north this time – over the headland past Gwynver Beach towards Cape Cornwall. It’s a quieter stretch of the coast, rich in mining heritage and dramatic cliff scenery.  

In the evening, host a family dinner in the elegant dining space.  

Day 7: Say your goodbyes

Make the most of your final morning. Watch the sunrise from the garden’s edge, take one last dip in the pool, or enjoy coffee in bed with the windows open and the sea sparkling below. 

Pack up slowly, already dreaming of next year’s stay.