A night at Daymarker and Lantic Barn in Fowey

Another memorable team stay

Back in the spring, when the weather was just beginning to warm up and the daffodils were blooming, a group of excited Perfect Stays’ team members bundled into their cars for a night on Cornwall’s south coast. Having recently welcomed Daymarker, Lantic Barn and Little Polkerris onto our portfolio, we were looking forward to discovering the new homes and their dreamy setting close to Fowey. Here’s what we got up to…

Step inside our beautiful Fowey homes

Left: Daymarker. Right: Lantic Barn.

Nestled on the south coast, our Fowey properties enjoy the best of both worlds with endless countryside views and subtle sea glimpses – all while being a five-minute drive from the town of Fowey and the sandy coves of Polkerris and Par. All barn conversions, the three properties have been renovated to a high standard while staying true to their ambrosial setting. Daymaker is architecturally striking with its black wooden façade, glass-fronted balconies and private swimming pool, while Lantic Barn is a cosy cottage with low beamed ceilings and an inviting outdoor pool, and Little Polkerris provides an idyllic sanctuary for two with an open plan design, bubbling hot tub and calming ocean views.

Ready to explore and make themselves at home, our Property, Portfolio, Guest Experience and Marketing teams all arrived mid-afternoon to fizzing glasses of Camel Valley being poured in Lantic Barn. With suitcases dropped off, it was then Matthew’s turn to give everyone a grand tour of the three properties. Beginning with Lantic Barn, he introduced us to its five beautiful bedrooms and the charming living and kitchen area. With large sliding doors opening onto the garden and swimming pool, it didn’t take long for our team to imagine what summer days could look like here.

We were then guided around Daymarker, where sparkling sea views greeted us from the first floor living area. Also on this floor sits the kitchen, TV room and fourth bedroom, whereas downstairs hosts the remaining three bedrooms, all of which have their own sparkling en-suite bathrooms. Finished in complementary blues and fresh whites, Daymarker’s interiors felt immediately welcoming and homely, so the team members staying here dropped their bags off and began to get ready for the evening.

As golden hour began to descend on the horizon, everyone gathered around Daymarker’s kitchen island to clink glasses of sparkling wine and serve canapes. The open plan kitchen and living area became a natural setting for us to make plans for the evening and Kate noted how she really enjoyed the sociable aspect of the space, as there was plenty of room for us to break away into smaller groups too.

Above: Daymarker.

A dinner reservation at Appletons

Before long, it was time to head into Fowey in search of drinks and supper. Making a quick pitstop at The Galleon Inn, the team sampled a few local ales and gins from the bar to continue the evening of celebrations. Recommended to us by the property owners, it was easy to see why it’s loved by locals and visitors alike, with its friendly atmosphere and traditional décor.

We then stepped across the road and into Appletons. A long-term favourite amongst our Guest Experience team, we were welcomed by Lyndsey who showed us to our table and expertly talked us through the menu and wine list. Serving exquisite Italian dishes, homemade pasta and fresh fish plates, our meal at Appletons was a culinary highlight. Beginning with arancino, Coombeshead sourdough and anchovy fritters, the group took to the extensive drinks menu to pair their food perfectly. Wendy opted for the champagne cocktail which she still refers to as ‘perfection’, while many of us chose the Veneto – a classic, zesty white wine to go with our Cornish lobster ravioli starters.  

For our mains, we were spoilt for choice with truffle tortellini, poached cod and zucchini risotto on the menu. Many of us went for the pasta dishes, while Joe, Matthew and Paige chose the steak, served alongside smoked white beans and cavolo nero. On Lyndsey’s recommendation, we ordered a selection of sides to share, including lemon pepper potatoes and wild rocket salad – the perfect accompaniments to our main course. Everyone agreed that the food was exceptional, with Matthew adding it was the best steak he’d ever had. Not only were we all blown away by the meal itself, but the atmosphere and customer service were second to none.

"The food at Appletons was incredible. Everything was fresh, you could tell it was made on the day and the menu was very different to anywhere we've been before. It was definitely a special treat."

Not only that, but the cocktail menu was a hit with everyone, with Tabitha rounding off the meal with a zesty Italian 75 and Tina and Melissa choosing their favourite, espresso martini. With Tuscan chocolate tiramisu and baked clotted cream cheesecake to go, we thanked Lyndsey and Andy for their exceptional service and incredible food and headed back to the properties. 

Our home for the night

Never ones to end the night early, we retired to Daymarker for a games night. The most competitive of us took to the kitchen for rounds of Beat That, with the rest choosing the evening’s soundtrack on the Bluetooth speaker. Talking and laughing late into the evening, we all made the most of our time together before bedtime called. The joy of booking both Daymarker and Lantic Barn together meant there was enough room for us all to have our own bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, but both properties can sleep up to 18 guests.

After a restful night’s sleep, we woke one by one and took in our surroundings. Having stayed in Daymarker, Melissa made for the living room and watched as the sun began to rise over the sea. Meanwhile, Tabitha and Philippa began the day with hot cups of tea and countryside views from their home in Lantic Barn. Before long, everyone was showered and dressed and ready to continue exploring Fowey. With many of us based on Cornwall’s north coast, it was a real joy to see another side of our county so early in the morning – so with our coats and walking boots on, we made Readymoney Cove our first stop of the day.

Sunday strolling around Fowey

Visiting the small beach first thing in the morning was truly magical. The tide had rolled into shore, and we were the only ones on the sand, albeit for a couple of gulls. The crystal-clear waters transported us to summertime adventures, and we made a mental note to revisit when the seasons changed and the sun had warmed up the sea.

From here, we ambled along the Esplanade with Joe as our guide. Having gotten married in Fowey in 2022, he showed us around the Old Grammar School Gardens and reminisced about his wedding week spent here. We reached the harbour before long, just as the town began to wake up. There were people milling around, collecting papers and waiting for fresh bread from the bakeries. We took a moment to enjoy the view across to Polruan and watched as boats sailed past. Philippa noted how nice it was to see the south coast on a sleepy Sunday morning, and imagined the hustle and bustle that arrives alongside the warmer weather. With the ice cream shops shut for the season, we dipped into a couple of interior shops and galleries as their first customers of the day before we headed back up the hill.

Breakfast is served and bags are packed

Arriving back into the warmth of Lantic Barn, we were greeted with a fresh breakfast, brilliantly prepared by Tina – a much-loved tradition for our team stays. The farmhouse kitchen comfortably hosted all 10 of us, and we opened up the sliding doors to welcome the warmth of the spring sunshine in. Paige noted how the surroundings were "so quiet and peaceful" and listening to the birds in the morning became one of her favourite parts of the stay.

Full on buttery toast, poached eggs and freshly brewed coffee, we felt very content with our sleepover in the countryside and agreed it made a wonderful setting for relaxing and reconnecting, with Tina noting how valuable this is for our team...

"Being able to experience the properties, just as our guests would, means we can gain an in-depth knowledge of the property, surrounding area and local concierge services. This allows us to provide practical recommendations to property owners if needed and ensure we're ready to share personalised insights and recommendations for every stay."

As home time loomed, we spent the rest of the morning exploring the grounds and walking up to Little Polkerris. Tucked away at the top of the farm, this heavenly couples’ retreat is loved for its privacy and rural views. We noted how tranquil it was too, with the sheep in the fields and views over St Austell Bay in the distance.

Having enjoyed our night in Fowey, it was time to say our goodbyes to Daymarker and Lantic Barn and head home. Driving home with views over rolling fields and sparkling seas, the memories of our short stay here quickly became cherished. With many of us eager to revisit Fowey’s winding streets, delicious eateries and picture-perfect coves, we’ve loved recommending it to our guests ever since.

Left: Lantic Barn. Middle: Daymarker. Right: Little Polkerris.

With tempting weeks still available to book for this year and their calendars open for 2024, there’s no better time to begin planning your own holiday to Fowey. Whether it’s enjoying your own private pool and sea views at Daymarker and Lantic Barn, or enjoying a couples’ retreat at Little Polkerris, take a closer look around these heavenly homes and secure your stay today.

Image credits: All images used are our own.