{"id":478,"date":"2019-03-21T09:14:48","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T09:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helpfulholidays.co.uk\/blog\/?p=478"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:57:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:57:55","slug":"owner-case-study-tales-of-balcony-cottage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helpfulholidays.co.uk\/blog\/owner-case-study-tales-of-balcony-cottage\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Owners: Tales of Balcony Cottage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stunning Location\"\"<\/h2>\n

Situated in the land of smugglers, myths and legends, it\u2019s no surprise that some of our historic holiday homes in Cornwall have a tale or two to tell. Balcony Cottage<\/a> in Cawsand is no exception. Alison, who owns the property with husband Keith, has shared its fascinating story in a book which takes you from its (probable) beginnings as a one-storey fisherman\u2019s cottage to its life now as an imposing, storied property with delightful views across the harbour and beach. It was a perfect spot for a making a living from the sea \u2013 with one family in particular who lived there from the 1700s to early 1800s enjoying the rewards from smuggling (which was definitely not uncommon in Cornwall at the time).<\/p>\n

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Close Call with the law\"\"<\/h2>\n

The men of that family had a few close calls with the law but usually got away with it \u2013 apparently the house had a few secret spots for contraband, and, according to local legend, a tunnel below the hallway floor down to the beach. You won\u2019t find it there now, but you may be able to spot the clefts in the cliffs below the cottage from the beach. Other residents have had high jinks on the ocean wave too, with one sailing on the Esmerelda as it took wealthy sightseers on pleasure trips to watch the war between the British navy and the Russians.<\/p>\n

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A history not for the faint hearted<\/h2>\n

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We don\u2019t want to give away too much about the \u2018ghosts\u2019 of Balcony Cottage \u2013 you definitely need to read Alison\u2019s book for that – but as the years passed by the cottage also had a saddlery business in the back yard, was home for a short while to a Major who was killed in Gallipoli, and became two flats with the top floor used for holiday letting before it was sold in 2000. Balcony Cottage was bought by the current owners, Keith and Alison, in 2007. As Keith is a marine engineer and the others all love to sail, it seems the story of the sea will always be linked to this picturesque property with its fine panelling, coving, English Delft-ware tiles and view of the waves.<\/p>\n

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Do you own a holiday cottage?<\/h2>\n

For more information about letting your cottage with us, simply complete the form below<\/strong>. Our team will be in touch to answer any questions, and you’ll receive a copy of our FREE Owner Guide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n