Guestbook
We have just had our third holiday in lovely Lavendar Barn. We return for the tranquil setting between hills, sea and Porthleven and Helston with fabulous walks in all directions. We love the easy comfort of the barn with its wood burning stove and well equipped kitchen and appreciate the welcome from Tim and Sarah who are perfect hosts: warm, helpful but never intrusive. I would highly recommend Sarah’s Pilates sessions - she is a very experienced and generous teacher, as well as her superb massage. And then there’s the ideal farm shop near by and at least two Michelin starred restaurants in Porthleven - as well as great fish and chips - and a fab Arts centre in Helston. It’s a marvellous corner in a wonderful part of the UK.
Helen Boaden
20 Apr 2024
My teenage children (19 and 21) have had the most fantastic time at Lavender Barn.
Tim and Sarah gave us a warm welcome and the barn was spotless. With fresh flowers and a home made cake to welcome us.
It is a beautiful and quiet setting with own parking area room for two cars.
It
Porthleven is literally a 20 min walk or 5 min drive with great pubs and seafood! We popped in for moules frites and the best pasties (phelps)
Went swimming at Porthleven amd Prae sands good boogy boarding and beautiful beach.
I have to say it just worked so brilliantly for the three of us to have quality time together with local activities that suited all three of us.
Thank you Tim amd Sarah - we will be back if you’ll have us!
Cordy Carr
Cordy Carr
24 Jul 2019
I've had the most wonderful stay at Lavender Barn. It's set in the most beautiful surrounding, far away from any hustle and bustle with beautiful views over the adjacent fields, yet close enough to Porthleven village where you can get anything from freshly caught fish, most delicious pasties and of course amazing coffee and local ice cream.
The barn is equipped with anything you could ask for and Sarah's attention to detail goes way beyond to what I'm used to when I rent holiday homes. From freshly baked bread awaiting you to coffee, tea and all sorts of other condiments and essentials all being ready for a relaxed start into my stay to the beautiful flowers all around the cottage.
And I need to mention the Pilates classes and massages Sarah offers. You are in for a treat here as well!
This was truly a home away from home and I'm sure I'll be coming back for more! Thank you to you both Sarah & Tim!
Doreen
14 Jul 2019
We had a wonderful week at Lavender Barn. The attention to detail meant we wanted for nothing & all the little extras made it particularly welcoming for our party of three generations on a summer break. (Granny, mother & daughter).
The tranquil location was magical, but ideal for exploring both the north & south coasts of Cornwall.
It was also a perfect opportunity to introduce my daughter to Pilates, under the expert tuition of Sarah in her lovely studio. Together with a massage it was a most relaxing & rejuvenating experience.
Sarah & Tim made us feel very much at home. A perfect retreat & perfect hosts.
Liz Clark
03 Jul 2018
Lavender Barn is very comfortable and homely, and is the perfect place to call home, set in relaxing gardens with a lovely view. The sea is not far away with beaches and beautiful cliff walks which can go on and on. Sarah and Tim looked after us brilliantly, and Sarah's pilates teaching is in a class of its own. She gives clear and precise instructions and is very good at checking that everyone is doing it correctly, making adjustments and suggestions, in a very supportive and encouraging way. The pilates retreat was rewarding and fun, and some afternoons we practiced drawing and painting in Tim's art studio down the garden. Sarah's vegetarian food was imaginative and delicious, though self-catering at Lavender Barn would also be good.
Caroline Stuart Taylor
12 May 2018
Fabulous stay as part of Pilates retreat. The barn is stylish but homely with all the creature comforts. The beautiful garden is made for relaxation. Sarah and Tim are great hosts. You will not be disappointed
Maggie Lambert
11 May 2018
Lavender Barn is a perfect blend of elegance and comfort in a beautiful tranquil setting in a large garden with views over the countryside and only a short drive to the coast. Sarah and Tim are the perfect hosts for a Pilates Retreat, always good humoured and helpful and providing delicious locally sourced and imaginative home cooked food. Sarah is known to be a superlative teacher and all six in our group could feel ourselves improving over the four days. Afternoons were free to relax, use the art studio, or, as we did, enjoy walks along the coastal paths. I look forward to returning and would highly recommend Lavender Barn either for a self-catering holiday or for a wonderful long weekend of Pilates.
Pam Ripley
07 May 2018
As a retired physiotherapist I am very picky about my Pilates teachers , but can absolutely vouch that Sarah is extremely competent and very experienced , constantly correcting and coaching us , in fact I did complain she had eyes in the back of here head !!
Her delicious vegetarian cookery was inspiring , so much so that I am putting myself on a course to make more interesting vegetarian dishes .
The whole thing was a very enriching experience and I will definitely return as soon as possible .
Julia meakin
06 May 2018
A fabulous 4 days of pampering, expert tuition and attention to detail. Sarah and Tim have created the most wonderful setting for a retreat. All so beautifully designed with bright colours, fine linen, and comfort in mind! The food was fabulous and presentation first class from beetroot burgers to home made pancakes for breakfast, wonderful salads and local produce . The Pilates instruction is incredible with attention to detail , diplomatic correction of poor technique, steady progression through the 4 days and individual requirements accommodated in a cheerful and encouraging in a bright well equipped studio . As for the local gin I was devastated that the airport do not stock it so returned home empty handed ! So many lovely coastal walks, gardens not to mention the local pub and fusion restaurant we visited in Porthleven. I want to move ther!
Pat O’Connell
04 May 2018
A fabulous 4 days of pampering, expert tuition and attention to detail. Sarah and Tim have created the most wonderful setting for a retreat. All so beautifully designed with bright colours, fine linen, and comfort in mind! The food was fabulous and presentation first class from beetroot burgers to home made pancakes for breakfast, wonderful salads and local produce . The Pilates instruction is incredible with attention to detail , diplomatic correction of poor technique, steady progression through the 4 days and individual requirements accommodated in a cheerful and encouraging in a bright well equipped studio . As for the local gin I was devastated that the airport do not stock it so returned home empty handed ! So many lovely coastal walks, gardens not to mention the local pub and fusion restaurant we visited in Porthleven. I want to move ther!
Pat O’Connell
04 May 2018
Sarah and Tim have created an oasis of calm and beauty at their wonderful home in Cornwall and are the most perfect hosts. Having just returned from a 4 day pilates retreat, I feel relaxed and rejuvenated and being relatively new to pilates, feel inspired to make it a regular routine in my life. In particular, I loved the morning stretch out on the lawn, with dew under my toes and the wonderful views out across the lake to the hills...a fantastic way to start any day! The pilates studio is very well equipped, is light and airy and it is lovely to hear the birds singing whilst exercising. Sarah is a fantastic instructor and masseuse and I would thoroughly recommend anyone booking a retreat, has a massage too!
Lavender holiday cottage is cosy and very tastefully furnished, with everything you need for a holiday away from it all.
I look forward to my next visit!
Claire Parsons
29 Apr 2018
Had a fabulous four days at lavender barn for a pilates retreat with Sarah. Having previously enjoyed a retreat with her in Italy it was fantastic to enjoy the experience in Cornwall. The facilities were great, the studio amazing and the gardens beautiful. Sarah’s tuition is outstanding and her massage techniques so therapeutic. I felt totally rejuvenated by the experience and managed to take in some lovely coastal walks and the ambience in Porthleven too. Sarah and Tim were very welcoming and the group great fun to be with. I’ll definitely be back!
Christine Gill
27 Apr 2018
We have just returned from a week at Lavender Barn, which we enjoyed greatly. It is very well furnished and equipped, and Sarah and Tim were very welcoming and helpful hosts. The immediate surroundings are very quiet and peaceful, and the nearby village of Porthleven is charming, with plenty of good places to eat if you don't want to cook yourself! Falmouth, St. Ives and Penzance are all within easy reach. You can even, as we did, have a Pilates lesson or massage in Sarah's very well-equipped studio! Highly recommended.
Richard Hoare
17 Apr 2018
We were lucky enough to be able to use Lavender Barn over the Christmas period. It made a spacious and comfortable place to stay within a spacious and comfortable setting. The barn is well equipped and charmingly furnished. Both bedrooms are ensuite so there was no waiting for a shower or bath! There was the added luxury of being able to use the wood burning stove which was particularly welcome given the inclement weather. .Our family will definitely return again in the Spring or Autumn.
Fuller Margie
04 Jan 2018