Couch's House, History in the heart of Polperro | House in Polperro, United Kingdom

Sitting moments from the harbour, this historic property was once the cherished home of esteemed 19th-century British naturalist Jonathan Couch who lived here from 1810. Known as 'Couch’s House' it now offers a unique blend of heritage and comfort. The home has been lovingly restored by the current owner to reflect the character and atmosphere of his time, while incorporating modern conveniences we now expect. The property features a life size wax work of Couch standing in the cottage window!
Key Property Features...
- 3 storey traditional house dating back to the 1580s. Full of history and charm.
- 4 Bedrooms: 1 ornate four-poster double bed, 2 double bedrooms & 1 twin room.
- 1 Bathroom with traditional roll top Cornish tin bath & walk in shower.
- 1 WC.
- Living & dining room both with wood burners.
- Underfloor heating on ground floor.
- Kitchen with range cooker & parlour with secondary traditional Esse oven with hot plates fuelled by logs for a rustic touch.
- Outdoor seating area overlooking the River Pol.
- 1 x parking permit included for Polperro car park. For use in any regular space not allocated.
- 2 well behaved dogs welcome (£25 per pet).
Need to Know...
- The property is a traditional cottage retaining many of the original features. As such please expect low ceilings in places and wooden floorboards.
- The wax model of Jonathan Couch, created by Jethro Crabb, a renowned sculptor, displayed in the dining room window sits behind a Perspex protective sheet which can be switched to opaque so it is not visible internally.
- Dogs must not go into bedrooms, on furniture or be left unattended at the property.
- Not suitable for under 5's due to ornaments.
- The living room features a smuggling nook hidden behind a book case!
- Whilst the property is Historic, is has been lovingly renovated and all modern safety features are present such as sprinkler systems throughout.
Who we think it's suitable for...
Perfect for families or a group of friends wanting to experience a traditional property steeped in history but with all the comforts of modern living. Couch's House is centrally located in Polperro so perfectly placed to explore this pretty village & this beautiful part of south Cornwall.
About a holiday in Polperro...
In Polperro it’s easy to step back in time in this unspoilt fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall. Its beautiful cottages cling to steep hillsides around a small harbour with spectacular views of land and sea making it an artist’s paradise.
The road into the village snakes down the steep-sided coombe, mainly free of traffic, meaning you can enjoy wandering through the streets browsing the shops that major in locally made handicrafts and confectionery. There's also plenty of places to eat and drink from award-winning restaurants to traditional pubs.
Get the camera ready for when you reach the picturesque harbour, especially if the tide is in, and make a point of visiting the Smuggling Museum where you will find out all about the village’s sea based trials and tribulations.
Dotted around the village there are several galleries, carrying on the tradition of artists who have fallen in love with the views over the years. We think you'll do the same and just to make sure we recommend walking up the coastal path either side of the harbour to capture the view looking back over the village, we promise you won’t regret it.
The South West Coast Path passes through Polperro and offers spectacular views and access to beautiful beaches both to the east and the west. Heading east towards Looe you reach Talland Bay after about a mile. Here there’s a choice of beaches and some wonderful rockpools to discover when the tide is out. Continuing onto Looe you will pass other quieter coves, even in the summer months.
The coastal path heading west can be challenging to even the competent walkers. It’s very up and down with lots of steps. Walkers who make the effort are rewarded with wonderful views and hidden smugglers coves at Lansallos and Lantivet Bay.
For those not wishing to explore far, Polperro has its own small sandy beach located just outside the main harbour. The beach is in front of Willy Wilcox’s cave, believed to have been used by smugglers. There’s also a man-made tidal pool on the seaward of Chapel Cliff, to the right of the harbour mouth. Here many a local has first learnt to swim, away from the waves of the ocean.

Couch's House, History in the heart of Polperro is located in Polperro. Couch's House, History in the heart of Polperro provides accommodation, featuring Kitchen, Laundry, Pet Friendly, among other amenities. This House features Kitchen, Laundry, Pet Friendly, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Couch's House, History in the heart of Polperro has 4 Bedrooms , 1 Bathroom, and max occupancy of 8 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Polperro has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Polperro, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.