Frequently asked questions

Two ways. The fastest is to use the booking calendar on trewena.com pick your dates, choose a cottage, pay your deposit by card. You'll get a confirmation email within a couple of minutes. Otherwise just email, phone or WhatsApp us with your dates and we'll send you a quote.

When you book direct on our website, you pay a non-refundable booking deposit of £99 at the time of booking, which secures your dates. The remaining balance is then automatically charged to the same card 30 days before arrival, you'll get an email reminder two days before. No security deposit, no admin fees, no surprises.

If you book via a third-party platform (Airbnb, Booking.com, others) their own payment terms apply. We provide the accommodation only. For any booking issues, complaints, refunds or disputes on stays booked through third-party platforms, contact those platforms directly. We can't intervene in their disputes.

Our cancellation terms are simple:

• More than 30 days before arrival: you forfeit the £99 booking deposit. No further charge.
• Within 30 days of arrival: the whole stay is forfeit (the deposit you paid plus the balance that's already been charged).

We charge no administration fees on cancellations. We strongly recommend taking out independent travel insurance to cover the risk of having to cancel, it's inexpensive and gives you peace of mind. If a claim is needed, we'll happily provide any documentation your insurer asks for.

All major debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) via our secure Stripe payment portal. We can also take payment by bank transfer if you'd prefer, just contact us and we'll send a payable invoice. Stripe handles all card payments end-to-end; we never see or store your card details.

Yes, we welcome guests from anywhere. Our payment portal accepts most major international debit and credit cards, and prices are charged in pounds sterling. If you have any questions about travelling to Cornwall, drop us an email and we'll be happy to help.

Yes. Trewena is run as a proper business, not a side hustle. We carry:

• Full public liability insurance covering all guests during their stay
• Annual fire risk assessments and current fire-safety certification across all three cottages
• Up-to-date Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
• A trade waste contract for proper waste and recycling disposal

If there's a specific compliance certificate you'd like to see before booking, just ask, we'll happily share it.

Yes. Stripe emails you a receipt automatically each time you're charged (deposit at booking, balance 30 days before arrival). If you've paid by bank transfer, we'll send you a written invoice and receipt.

We sometimes run promotional discounts, these only apply if used at the time of booking and can't be added retrospectively. We don't email-blast deals (you've got enough emails already), but it's worth checking the website for any active codes when you book.

The lead booker must be one of the staying guests, and we'll need to see photo ID before handing over keys. If for any reason the lead booker isn't going to be one of the guests, please let us know in advance so we can arrange that.

Changeover days vary throughout the year. At peak times we sometimes restrict arrivals to specific days; for most of the year any day works. The booking calendar will show which dates are available, or just contact us directly with your preferred dates.

Yes, our minimum is two nights and we accept short stays year-round subject to availability. Some peak periods restrict to longer minimums but most of the year two-night breaks are easy to find, check the booking calendar or contact us directly.

From 3pm on the day of arrival. If your arrival will be delayed beyond 9pm please contact us beforehand so we can arrange access, if we don't hear from you and you don't arrive by midday the following day, we may treat the booking as cancelled with no refund.

By 10am on the day of departure, please. This gives us enough time to clean and prepare the cottage for the next guests.

We send you a guest guide with directions, parking info and key collection details about a week before you arrive. If you've booked within a week of arrival, you'll get this within 24 hours of your full payment clearing.

The WiFi password is displayed clearly in your cottage when you arrive.

Absolutely. If you arrive before 3pm and want to head to the beach for the afternoon, we're happy to keep your bags safe until your cottage is ready. Just let us know in advance so we can be on hand.

Yes, we can store your bags after check-out so you can have one last walk on the coast or a coffee in Falmouth before heading off. Just let us know in advance so we can be ready.

Yes, we ask the lead booker for photo ID when you arrive (driving licence, passport, or other government-issued photo ID). It's standard practice for a registered, insured business and helps us keep the site secure for everyone. If the lead booker won't be one of the staying guests, please let us know in advance.

Standard arrival is from 3pm. If your arrival will be delayed beyond 9pm, please contact us directly before 9pm to let us know. In exceptional circumstances we'll try to figure out a solution, but we can't guarantee access if we don't hear from you. If you don't reach us and don't arrive by midday the following day, we may treat the booking as cancelled with no refund.

Email, phone or text us any time. For anything urgent, text or phone is fastest:

• Email: hello@trewena.com
• Phone / WhatsApp: 07878 195 227

Two people per cottage. One additional guest under 2 is fine. Over-occupancy means we'll ask you to leave the premises.

The number of guests shown for each accommodation is the maximum. We don't allow camping, campervans, or tents on site.

Yes, infants under 2 don't count towards the cottage occupancy. We have a small first-come-first-served baby kit (travel cot, baby bath, high chair) available on request, just mention it when you book.

The travel cot is a pop-up style with a built-in base; if you need an additional mattress, please bring your own. Internal cot base is approximately 115cm × 55cm.

Bring with you: bedding for the cot (we don't supply infant linen), an extra towel for the baby (towels are provided per adult guest only), and any feeding cutlery your infant needs.

Adult-and-child stays work well at Trewena. We've had a few single parents come and stay with their child, The Pigsty is the best fit for that since it has zip-link beds that split into two singles. Just let us know your setup when you book and we'll point you to the right cottage.

Each cottage's stated occupancy is the maximum: children over 2 count as a guest, infants under 2 don't. So a couple plus a baby fits any cottage, and an adult plus a child fits the Pigsty.

This isn't a family-holiday destination, though, there's only one car per cottage, no toy storage, an open firepit and unfenced garden. So while children are welcome within the occupancy rule, don't expect family-park amenities.

The cottages are set up for couples, but a short visit is usually fine, meet up before a day out, a coffee on the patio. Just check with us first as there's only space for one car per cottage. Hosting people across a weekend isn't really what Trewena is for.

One space per cottage on site. If all three cottages are booked, that's the limit and we can't take a second car. If only one or two cottages are occupied during your stay, there's usually room for an additional car and we can normally accommodate. Always worth asking when you book.

Yes, to do so you'd need to book all three cottages at the same time, which gives you exclusive access to the whole site. The maximum overall capacity is 6 adults across the three cottages. Contact us directly if you'd like to discuss.

Potentially, depending on what you have in mind. We've had groups gather around the firepit in the meadow on summer evenings, for instance. Best to drop us a line beforehand and tell us what you're thinking. Trewena is set up for couples on a quiet country break, so we'll work out together what's a good fit.

We don't allow dogs or any pets at Trewena.

Trewena is a non-smoking site. This includes vaping inside any cottage.

We ask guests to be conscious of neighbours, no outdoor noise after 10pm, and please turn off outside lights when not in use. The site is small and sound carries between cottages, so what feels like normal volume in one cottage can be loud in the next.

Each cottage comes self-catering with a standard inventory:

• Kitchen: oven, hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, fridge with small freezer compartment, washing machine, crockery and cutlery for two, mugs, glasses, wine glasses, cooking utensils, saucepans and frying pan
• Bedroom: bed linen, towels (one bath and one hand towel per person), tea towels, bathmat
• Starter supplies: tea, coffee, sugar, toilet roll, bin liners and washing-up liquid for your first day

Cleaning products are environmentally friendly where we can manage it. You'll need to bring your own food and any specific condiments you can't live without.

Yes, bed linen and one bath plus one hand towel per person is provided. Please bring your own beach towel for trips to the coast (and please don't take cottage towels to the beach!).

All three cottages have walk-in showers.

Each kitchen has: oven, hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, fridge with small freezer compartment, washing machine, crockery and cutlery for two, mugs, glasses, wine glasses, cooking utensils, saucepans and a frying pan. We provide a small starter kit of tea, coffee, sugar, toilet roll and washing-up liquid for the first day.

If you're staying 10 nights or more, we offer a complimentary linen and towel change midway through your stay on request.

For shorter stays we can do a refresh on request, charged at £5 per towel and £20 for a full bedding change.

We expect a certain amount of wear and tear, the odd broken glass or chipped plate is fine, no charge. If anything more significant breaks, we'd really appreciate it if you let us know straightaway. Tell us, we'll agree a fair price if applicable, and it lets us put it right before the next guest arrives.

Please tell us as soon as possible, by text, phone, or email, and we'll try to fix or replace whatever it is straightaway. The worst thing would be for you to have a poor stay and for us not to know about it. We live onsite, so we're usually only minutes away.

All heating and fuel costs are included in the price you pay. There are no metered extras.

All three cottages are electrically heated. The Tractor Shed uses a combination of infrared heating panels and electric oil-filled radiators. Little Avalon and The Pigsty use electric oil-filled radiators, and Little Avalon also has an open fireplace as a feature. All running costs are included in the price.

Each cottage has a Smart TV with apps. There's no Sky or cable, but Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and the rest are all there if you bring your own logins.

Each cottage has a hairdryer and a drying rack. We don't leave irons and ironing boards in the cottages, to keep the spaces uncluttered, but we have them on site and can drop one to your cottage on request. Just text or knock.

No, none of the cottages have a hot tub.

We're on a septic tank, so please only flush the three Ps: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. No sanitary products, no wet wipes, no kitchen roll, no anything else, even if it says "flushable" on the packet. There are notices in each cottage as a reminder. Helps keep things running smoothly for everyone.

Yes, we have a shared firepit out in the meadow, accessible to guests of all three cottages. It's a great spot at sunset.

Yes, there are external security cameras at the entrance to the property. There are no cameras inside any of the cottages or in private outdoor spaces.

All three cottages have WiFi at speeds of around 30 Mbps. Stable and consistent for video calls, streaming and remote work. On rare occasions (a large storm knocking out the local mast) speeds can drop, but day-to-day it's reliable.

Yes, mobile signal is good across all major UK carriers (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three).

Newquay is around 40 minutes' drive, with seasonal direct flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and a few European cities. Exeter is around 2 hours, with broader UK and European routes. Bristol is around 3 hours and is the largest international option.

Yes, each cottage has one off-road parking space on site. If you have a second car or are expecting visitors during your stay, please ask us in advance and we'll do our best to accommodate, depending on whether the other cottages are booked.

Yes, we have an onsite EV chargepoint, bookable via app. There are also rapid public chargers at Asda Penryn just a few minutes' drive away.

Trickle charging from the cottages via extension lead is not permitted and will be considered a breach of terms due to the fire risk.

Of our three cottages, The Tractor Shed is best suited to guests with reduced mobility, it's single-storey with one step at the entry and around 4m of gravel between parking and the door. It has a walk-in shower and an open layout.

The Pigsty has a downstairs bedroom, downstairs toilet and walk-in shower, but the kitchen and sitting area are upstairs via a relatively steep, narrow staircase.

Little Avalon is across two floors with the bedroom upstairs.

None of the cottages are fully wheelchair accessible. If you have specific access needs, please contact us before booking, we'll be honest about what works and what doesn't.

You can park right outside the cottages for unloading, with the regular parking spaces just a few metres away. Both cottage entrances are flat (one or two steps) but not wheelchair accessible.

There's a bus service that passes the property several times a day. Best to check live timings on Traveline. The nearest train stations are Falmouth (10 min drive) and Penryn (5 min drive), both on the branch line from Truro.

Yes, we're surrounded by open countryside with views towards Falmouth Bay. Rolling meadow, orchard and gardens are guaranteed. The Pigsty and Little Avalon both have views towards the bay; on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of the sea from the upstairs window.

Within a 10-minute drive you can be on one of Falmouth's town beaches. Gyllyngvase, Swanpool or Maenporth are the closest. We're also brilliantly placed for the wilder coast of the Lizard Peninsula, the rugged north coast, and the surf beaches of the west. We've walked most of the Cornish coast ourselves and we're happy to recommend the perfect spot for your kind of day.

Depends what you're after:

• For a quick swim and a coffee: Gyllyngvase or Castle Beach
• For solitude and clean water: Maenporth
• For dramatic vistas: Kynance Cove or the Bedruthan Steps
• For families: Swanpool

There's an array of beaches nearby suitable for surfing, sightseeing and other water sports. Let us know what you're into on the day and we'll give you a recommendation according to the weather. Whatever the weather, within 10 to 45 minutes (depending on where you want to go) you can be at some of the best beaches in the UK.

Some of the best ones are within walking distance or a short drive:

• Flicka Donkey Sanctuary next door
• Via Ferrata Cornwall walking distance
• Falmouth town centre 10 min drive
• Pendennis Castle 15 min drive
• Eden Project 50 min drive
• The Lizard 30 min drive
• St Ives 45 min drive

We have great access to the major link roads, which is one of the things our guests like best, you can do day trips across the whole of Cornwall without spending the morning in traffic.

Most guests use Trewena as a base to explore Cornwall, north coast, south coast, west tip and the Lizard are all easily reachable. We're constantly updating our guide to Cornwall with our favourite spots, restaurants, walks and rainy-day options. We're always happy to give specific recommendations based on what you're into.

Plenty. The Flicka Donkey Sanctuary next door, Pendennis Castle, boat trips from Falmouth Harbour, the Maritime Museum, kayaking on the Helford River, the South West Coast Path on your doorstep, Trebah and Glendurgan gardens, sailing schools in Falmouth itself. Ask us for a suggestion based on your interests.

Two minutes by car, 10–15 minute walk depending on thirst (and longer to stumble back!). The walk's along a country road with no pavement, so we recommend a torch if you're walking back after dark.

Asda Penryn, the largest supermarket in the Falmouth area, is just over a mile away (3 minutes by car). There's also a smaller Co-op in Mabe and a farm shop nearby for local produce.

Yes. Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose all deliver to us. We're happy to receive a delivery on your behalf and put it in your cottage before you arrive, just let us know the delivery slot and what name it's booked under.

Yes, all three deliver to Trewena. Falmouth has a good range of restaurants and takeaways on the apps, and we're well within standard delivery range.

About 50 minutes by car. The route takes you through the Cornish lanes via Truro and St Austell. Easy day trip.

Yes, very easy access. You can be on the Path in 10 minutes by car, and there's even a bus into Falmouth if you'd rather leave the car behind. Falmouth's stretch of the Path runs through Pendennis Point and along Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth, some of the prettiest sections in Cornwall.

Penryn station is a 5-minute drive away, on the branch line from Truro. From Penryn you can connect at Truro to mainline services to Plymouth, Exeter and London Paddington (around 5 hours to London). Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks stations are also nearby (10 minutes by car).

Wonderful walks. We provide walking maps in your cottage and our guest guide has our favourite local routes. You're well placed for the South West Coast Path, the gardens at Trebah and Glendurgan, the Helford River, and the wilder walks on the Lizard. We can also arrange guided walks if you'd like a local guide.

Yes, we have plenty of secure space to store bikes overnight, and the local roads are cycle-friendly. Falmouth has a number of cycle routes radiating out from the centre, and the long-distance Mineral Tramways routes are a short drive away.

Yes, we're a regular for business travellers visiting the Falmouth area. We're a few minutes from the Penryn Campus (Falmouth and Exeter Universities), Kernick Industrial Estate, Tregoniggie Industrial Estate, Pendennis Docks, and the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske. For block bookings, repeat stays or extended stays we can offer competitive rates, get in touch.

Absolutely, we get a steady stream of remote workers. Each cottage has WiFi suitable for video calls, a desk or table area you can use as a workspace, and a quiet countryside setting that's good for focus. If you have specific requirements (multiple monitors, a particular desk height, etc.), drop us a line in advance and we'll let you know what's possible.

Yes. Rich and Hellen live onsite at Trewena, in the main house just a couple of minutes' walk from each cottage. We won't intrude on your stay, you're here for a quiet break, but we're around if you need anything. It's the upside of staying with hosts who actually live where you're staying.

Text or call Rich on 07878 195 227. We live onsite and would much rather you tell us at 11pm than wait until you've left frustrated. For a genuine medical emergency, dial 999 as you would anywhere in the UK.

Rich and Hellen took on Trewena in February 2021 and rebuilt the three cottages from the ground up. We live onsite with our young son. The full story is on our About page, but the short version: we left city life, took on three acres outside Mabe, and turned it into Trewena.

For medical emergencies, dial 999 as anywhere in the UK. For anything else: text or call us on 07878 195 227, we live onsite and are usually a couple of minutes away.

The nearest GP surgery and pharmacy is in Penryn, and the Royal Cornwall Hospital (the regional A&E) is at Treliske, about 20 minutes away.

We send a guest guide a week before arrival with everything you need, directions, key access, what's in the cottage, local recommendations. We also have an online guide to Cornwall you can browse anytime. And if you'd like specific recommendations based on your interests, just ask, generic guides aren't always relevant to you specifically.

Drop us a line, we're happy to help.

• Phone / WhatsApp: 07878 195 227
• Email: hello@trewena.com