I Did A ‘Build Your Own Wellness Break’

Ever skipped signing up for a wellness retreat because you feared being trapped in a strict schedule with strangers who are well-practised in sun salutations and cacao ceremonies? Let’s be honest, no one relishes unrolling their mat beside someone who can effortlessly balance on their forearms without breaking a sweat. While these fears are usually unfounded, there is a gentler way to ease yourself into retreat life. Our wellness editor, Camilla Hewitt, explores how you can design your own restorative escape with the help of Perfect Stays.

Review: Perfect Stays’ Noordhoek

STAY

Overlooking North Cornwall’s Porthcothan Bay, Noordhoek is a luxurious coastal home that invites you to curate a wellness break on your terms. With an expansive kitchen, enough bedrooms to sleep up to sixteen guests, and a dedicated yoga studio where you can practise at your own pace, it’s an ideal setting to gather friends, family, or fellow relaxation-seekers for a retreat where the itinerary is entirely up to you.

The layout of the house has been inverted, with bedrooms occupying most of the ground floor, while the communal living spaces upstairs have been rewarded with the best views of the beach. Despite its impressive open-plan design, a cosy snug has been carved out by a floor-to-ceiling bookcase featuring a dual-aspect wood burner. Downstairs, there are four en-suite double bedrooms and a family room, along with a wet room and surfboard storage that keeps the rest of the house feeling clutter-free. A games room equipped with pool, table tennis and a cinema-style setup opens onto an outdoor dining area, BBQ and fire pit. The glass-fronted yoga studio is located in the annexe, which also houses an extra double room (ideal for guests craving a little solitude).

This architecturally designed property has been created to have minimal impact on the surrounding area. Water for the bathrooms and washing machine is supplied by a borehole, solar panels power the household and electric vehicle charger, and a ground source heat pump provides heating to the radiators and underfloor system. As a result, a stay here is not only good for mind and body, but also kind on the environment too.

DO

Under the management of Perfect Stays, Noordhoek comes with a concierge service to help tailor your stay. Yoga sessions can be arranged through Wavehunters, whose local instructors offer everything from standard classes to longer workshops incorporating fascia release and facial exercises. Wavehunters also run surf lessons at nearby Watergate Bay, where gentle waves are ideal for beginners finding their feet. 

Of course Cornwall’s landscapes offer plenty of spectacular ground for stomping. From Noordhoek, you can join the South West Coast Path and walk all the way to Padstow. It’s approximately 13 miles between the two, with plenty of pit stops along the way. In Harlyn Bay, Saunas by the Sea are ready to revive cold fingers and toes after a bracing dip. At low tide, you might want to save your swim for the calmer waters of Trevone Sea Pool just beyond the next headland. If all this is sounding rather exhausting and your version of wellness involves a long soak in the bath followed by a nap on a squishy sofa, Noordhoek is well suited to that too.

EAT

The property is self-catered, so it’s a good idea to arrange an online shop before you arrive, though the generous welcome hamper of Cornish Yarg, brie, and all the essentials for a traditional cream tea will keep hunger at bay. In the winter, the well-equipped kitchen and dining area call for a convivial dinner party, whilst come spring, the outdoor BBQ becomes the star of the show.

The owners spend much of their time in South Africa, and the impressive al fresco kitchen reflects that influence. With the beach just footsteps away, it’s easy to throw together dinner, bundle up a few blankets and wander down to watch the sun slip below the horizon. For those feeling less inclined to cook, there is no shortage of places to eat out. For lunch, the Padstow Farm Shop is an ideal stop en route to the Trevone Sea Pool, selling plenty of classic Cornish provisions for a picnic. Evenings at The Pig at Harlyn Bay are cosy and candlelit, with locally grown, caught and sourced produce served beside a roaring fire. Order the tobacco onions, you won’t regret it. Head south to Watergate Bay’s two-mile sweep of beach, and you’ll find Zacry’s, which offers elegant dining with front-row views of the surf.

The Final Word

Whatever the season, Noordhoek is the perfect base for a coastal escape centred on self-care. With space for everyone to unwind in their own way, wellness here can mean anything from full days exploring the outdoors to unapologetic days spent doing absolutely nothing. The choice is yours. 

BOOK IT

Per week from £5750, shorts breaks from £5350. 

perfectstays.co.uk