Built in the 18th century, The Old Vicarage is a romantic Grade II-listed house in Manaccan, a small village on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Spanning over 3,600 sq ft, the five-bedroom house brims with history: still in situ in the expansive garden is a former chapel, connected to the house via a sequestered passage. The closest beaches and waterfront are around a mile away, while Lizard Point is a 30-minute drive away.

Setting the Scene

Although The Old Vicarage, as it stands today, was largely built in the 18th century, the core of the building is thought to date back even further. Between 1794 and 1821, it was home to the Reverend Richard Polwhele, who was a historian, writer and poet, as well as Justice of the Peace.

In 1803, Captain William Bligh was temporarily imprisoned in an outbuilding (which remains today) at the vicarage after being wrongfully accused of spying on the area’s local naval defences. Original features pepper throughout the main home, including large chapel windows, wood panelling and ornate carved fireplace surrounds.

The Grand Tour

A cobbled private driveway bordered by lush trees and greenery forms the approach to the house. Entry is to a grand entrance hall with original timber-panelled walls and floorboards. It leads to a voluminous drawing room, where an inglenook fireplace with a wood burner is framed by a magnificent carved fireplace surround. Two sets of French doors bathe the room in light, capturing arresting views across the valley.

An arched door next to the fireplace leads to the former chapel, via an internal walkway. Currently used as a games room, it has a vaulted ceiling with exposed trusses, a set of Gothic arched doors and original floorboards.

In the kitchen, an oil-fired Aga is set into an alcove. Shaker-style cabinetry is topped with quartz, while the floor is lined with slate. A large pantry cupboard adds to the ample storage space, and a utility room sits adjacent.

The dining room is wrapped in dusty-pink timber panelling. A fireplace with a marble surround occupies a central position, while French doors open toward the front of the house. Across the hall, a bright sitting room is known as 'The Band Room'; in days gone by, parishioners would exchange their wedding bands here. A wine cellar is accessed from the hallway.

A grand staircase with column-turned balusters rises to the first floor. Here, five bright double bedrooms are filled with period details, including original fireplaces and sash windows. One room has built-in timber-panelled storage, while another room adjacent to the principal is used as a dressing room. Four bathrooms complete the plan; the largest has a vaulted ceiling, exposed stonework and a freestanding bathtub.