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Boscastle, Cornwall

The Gaffer

The National Trust building in Boscastle, with the entrance to The Gaffer and Clinker tucked away to the right of the blue door, Cornwall
The National Trust building in Boscastle, with the entrance to The Gaffer and Clinker tucked away to the right of the blue door, Cornwall | © National Trust/Mike Henton
Looking up the lane to the front door of the Gaffer's building, which opens into the shared hallway and stairs, leading to The Gaffer on the first floor, Cornwall
The area surrounding The Lugger, Cornwall

The Gaffer

This simple little apartment is in the hub of Boscastle, a picture-postcard harbour and village surrounded by walks.

Grid of 9 images
Looking up the lane to the front door of the Gaffer's building, which opens into the shared hallway and stairs, leading to The Gaffer on the first floor, Cornwall
The area surrounding The Lugger, Cornwall
The National Trust building in Boscastle, with the entrance to The Gaffer and Clinker tucked away to the right of the blue door, Cornwall
Looking up the lane towards the entrance to The Gaffer's building from the riverside road, Cornwall
Looking from the The Gaffer's building's front door to the lime kiln and along the lane to the river, Cornwall
The area surrounding The Lugger, Cornwall
The shared garden at The Lugger, Cornwall
The area surrounding The Lugger, Cornwall
The area surrounding The Lugger, Cornwall

© National Trust

This simple little apartment is in the hub of Boscastle, a picture-postcard harbour and village surrounded by walks.

At a glance

Guests
2
Bedrooms
1
Number of dogs welcome
0
Reference
011100
Acorn rating

About The Gaffer

In the heart of the unspoilt village of Boscastle, The Gaffer is in a whitewashed, former pilchard cellar on the banks of the Valency River. The building also houses the National Trust café and shop, and two more National Trust holiday apartments. The National Trust second-hand bookshop is nearby. Boscastle is a bustling village with pubs, tea-rooms, restaurants and a farm shop. There’s great walking of all kinds, from level, riverside strolls through the village to trails off into the valley’s ancient woodland and out onto the cliffs for sea views. You can loop onto the South West Coast Path from here.

Set back from the riverside, The Gaffer’s entrance is a few steps off the road, and the apartment is on the first floor towards the back of the building. The open-plan living space looks across to the wall of a lime kiln from the 1800s, a reminder of Boscastle’s past as a busy 19th-century port, with goods brought in by boat and then hauled up the steep hills that surround the village by teams of horses. The old kiln’s mossy walls attract butterflies and birds. On top of the kiln, you’ll find your enclosed cottage garden which is shared with the other apartments. It’s a lovely place to sit for the evening.

Boscastle is teeming with wildlife. Look out for wildflowers, sea birds and the seals that bob around in and around the harbour.

As well as the neighbouring apartments, The Clinker (sleeps two) and The Lugger (sleeps three), you’ll find Harbour View (sleeps five, dog friendly) in Boscastle overlooking the quayside and Boscastle Elm Cottage (sleeps four, dog friendly) in the wooded valley nearby. They can be booked together.

Layout

First floor: Hallway. Open-plan room with king-size bed, fitted wardrobe, sofa, television and table for two. Small kitchen. Bathroom with shower over bath.

Outside space

Shared, enclosed garden on top of old lime kiln with natural cottage planting and table and chairs for each apartment.

Features and facilities

  • Cot & high chair, available
  • Fridge, available
  • Dishwasher, available
  • Tumble dryer, not available
  • Television, available
  • WiFi, available
  • Garden, available
  • Microwave, available
  • Freezer, not available
  • Washing machine, not available
  • Telephone, available
  • DVD, available
  • Open fire / wood burner, not available
  • BBQ, not available

Location

Accessibility

Not accessible. Stairs to apartment on first floor. We are waiting for a full accessibility guide and photos for this cottage. Accessibility questions? Email holiday.enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 0344 800 2070.

More information

Photographs: We are waiting for photographs of The Gaffer's interior, which will be added here in the summer.

Please note: You might hear your neighbours in The Lugger and The Clinker at times, and some noise from the café and shop during opening hours.

WiFi: We’re pleased to provide free WiFi access at this accommodation, which is supported by BT. Please note intermittent connection problems can sometimes occur and therefore should not be relied upon.

Parking: There is a designated parking space for one car, 50 yards from the apartment. 

Heating: The apartment has electric heating.

Offers: Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout of 4pm.

Free entry to Tintagel Old Post Office on production of booking details, subject to seasonal opening hours.

Your top three questions answered

Things to see and do in Boscastle

A view into Boscastle harbour and village
Place
Place

Boscastle 

A sheltered natural inlet with an unspoilt harbour village

Cornwall

Fully open today
Man and two women walking with dog along path beside harbour at low tide, with village behind them
Trail
Trail

Boscastle Harbour walk 

Cornwall

A gentle walk around the scenic village of Boscastle, taking in the river, the ancient harbour, and the famous blowhole.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
A path cutting through dense overgrowth on either side
Trail
Trail

Boscastle and the Valency Valley walk 

Cornwall

Explore the cliffs above Boscastle's medieval harbour before traversing the peaceful woodland and riverside path in the Valency Valley on this wonderful walk

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)