Owner Case Study: Farm Diversification in Cornwall

Clustered in the idyllic countryside not far from the pretty and popular village of Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, you will discover one of Cornish Cottage Holiday’s latest, and hugely popular, group of properties; the stunning Boskensoe Barns.

Comprising of four boutique barn conversions, expect warming log fires and snuggly comfort in colder months to sun-drenched outside entertaining and cool, contemporary living in the summer.

Boskensoe Barns’ beautiful rural location

Owners Mark and Bridget converted the three former farm buildings in 2017, and Cornish Cottage Holidays were on hand from the early stages to provide advice and support for their new holiday let business.

Mark said: “We initially thought we would let for a short period with an agent while we found our feet and then take the letting in-house.

“The high letting rates we have achieved in our first 12 months can’t only be down to our high standards so we will be using Cornish Cottage Holidays for a while to come.

“Their marketing and knowledgeable advice has been so useful.”

Based on a working farm, the Long House, the Pig House, the Mill House and The Stable, all look simply delightful with their stone exteriors and coastal-inspired outside spaces.

Stylish and stunning inside and out

Designed for style-conscious guests, they have exceptional interiors. When you step through the door of any of the four properties the word “Wow” is sure to be uttered.

The barns were originally used for calf rearing but became unsuitable for a modern farming environment.

Exceptional bookings

At first, the couple considered converting the space into offices, workshops and even local need/affordable housing. A financial viability survey highlighted the two most cost-effective routes were for tenancy rental or holiday let.

Here at Cornish Cottage Holidays, we are glad Mark and Bridget opted for the latter as we are incredibly pleased to be able to offer Boskensoe Barns to our customers.

The style of the barns has followed the look of the farmhouse, which was converted some five years earlier.

The couple knew they wanted a clean, contemporary character but were open to suggestions. They worked with a local designer to achieve the high-end finish they now have, including the additions of Wi-Fi throughout and an integral iPad sound system.

The first year’s bookings have “exceeded expectations”. Peak season has been incredibly busy and two of the barns have performed exceptionally well out of season too. And with our support, it looks as though bookings in the quieter times of year are blossoming.

Each converted barn can be booked individually or as a whole, which allows for up to 22 guests at once.

Our future plans

Our property manager Janine made sure the couple had the best advice from fixtures and fittings to finance, and the little extras to the long-term future.

“Mark and Bridget have a wonderful vision for their properties and it has been fabulous to be able to help them bring that vision to life,” Janine enthused.

“With the backing of our national brand Sykes Cottages, our ability to promote our portfolio to a wide and varied audience is second to none.

“We have been able to secure 138 bookings in Boskensoe Barns so far this year  – and reservations are coming in fast for 2019 too.”

Mark and Bridget are now toying with the idea of converting another old barn. “If we can secure planning to do so, we want to create a stylish, upmarket two bed/sleep four property with a hot tub,” Mark explained. “But we are holding back on the swimming pool Janine has suggested for the time being,” he laughed.

Reviews on our website for the properties include “We loved it so much we hardly left it”, “We will definitely be back for more of this wonderful family holiday location” and “We would go back in a heartbeat and don’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone”.

To find out more about Boskensoe Barns visit Cornish Cottage Holidays.

Would you like to have such positive recommendations and phenomenal bookings for your holiday property?

Visit our Let Your Cottage page or simply call us on 01326 336773 to arrange a free, no obligation consultation.

Or if you are one of our owners and would like to share your holiday letting story, email: andrew.jay@sykescottages.co.uk