Place, Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
1 min walk
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Place, Lost Gardens of Heligan
6 min drive
Eden Project
Place, Eden Project
24 min drive
Newquay (NQY-Newquay Cornwall)
Airport, Newquay (NQY-Newquay Cornwall)
37 min drive
Room options
About the neighborhood
St Austell
Seaside stay .Stay at this St Austell vacation home and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 2 miles (3 km) of Caerhays Castle. Perbean Beach and Little Perhaver Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
Lost Gardens of Heligan - 6 min drive - 3.2 miles
Eden Project - 24 min drive - 12.5 miles
Watergate Bay Beach - 39 min drive - 28.1 miles
Fistral Beach - 42 min drive - 28.1 miles
Getting around
St Austell (USX-St Austell Train Station) - 17 min drive
Newquay (NQY-Newquay Cornwall) - 38 min drive
Restaurants
Teacup Tearoom - 6 min drive
Ship Inn - 5 min drive
Salamander - 6 min drive
KINGS ARMS - 13 min drive
Griggs Restaurant - 12 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches
Summary:
Situated in the heart of the countryside, our 200 year old Chapel has everything you could need for a trip to South East Cornwall. But the best part is undoubtedly the breath-taking old chapel room. Filled with eclectic antiques, many of which are recovered from the original refurb, but still kitted out with all the mod cons including surround-sound HIFI, 55 inch smart TV with high speed fibre internet and a huge collection of DVDs. There's even a secret kids den under the pulpit!
The Space:
Sleeps up to 9 with two double rooms & one bunk room with 5 singles. Of which, two share a bathroom with large walk in shower, whilst the master has its own bathroom just opposite with dreamy roll-top bath. The kitchen is very well-equipped for cooking up large meals & the two large dining areas provide ample seating. You'll find a large American-style fridge freezer with ice machine, dishwasher, big range cooker, dishwasher, coffee machine and heaps of utensils, pots and pans.
It's the perfect place for all the family to relax. Free use of surfboards, wetsuits + all other beach equipment you can think of! 5 mins drive to Caerhays Beach & Castle, endless coastal walks & Lost Gardens of Heligan. 20 mins to Eden Project. Dogs are welcome with a fee of £20/dog (max 2). It is on the condition they are not allowed on the soft furnishings or in the bedrooms.
The Old Methodist Chapel is a historic building built in 1816, making it over 200 years old. In 1993 we undertook the massive project of renovating it into a liveable space. All of the original features were fully restored and the chapel room converted into a living area, giving the space a uniqueness you are unlikely to find anywhere else! For those interested, we have a book written by a local lady who recalls the history of the chapel as a child in the early 1900s.
The main chapel room still retains the original pulpit, stained glass windows and organ, as well as a full set of Britannica Encyclopedias dating back to the 19th century. However, it is not without its modern amenities! The whole room has a surround-sound HIFI system, plus there is a 55 inch smart TV and vast selection of films. Alternatively, you can tuck into a book or enjoy one of our board games.
The kitchen is well-equipped to cook for groups of all sizes, with Heligan Farm Shop only a short drive away should you want to stock up on delicious local produce. There is also a dishwasher, all the regular kitchen appliances, brand new range cooker & stove, washing machine and tumble dyer. The double-doored fridge freezer provides ample space to store food for large groups and is fitted with an ice machine and filtered water.
Upstairs, the sleeping arrangements are perfectly set out for families. The bunk room (5 singles) is great for kids and shares an en-suite bathroom with a large walk in shower with one of the double rooms. The other double bedroom boasts stunning views of the Cornish countryside. This room has its own bathroom right opposite with a dreamy roll top bath.
We also provide a large variety of free beach equipment if you fancy heading down to one of the beautiful beaches for the day - several are only 5-10 minutes drive away. This includes surfboards, bodyboards, a kayak, wetsuits of all sizes, fishing rods, inflatables, buckets and spades, BBQ equipment, the list goes on...
There is a Post Office in Gorran Churchtown around 2 mins drive away, which has all the essentials. There is also another store around 5 minutes drive in Gorran Haven. Mevagissey is around a 7 minute drive and has a larger selection of shops and takeaways. Around a 20 minute drive away in St Austell there is a Tesco, Asda and more.
Any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Guest Access:
All parts of the house are open for access.
The Neighborhood:
Gorran High Lanes is a tiny hamlet in the heart of the South Cornwall countryside surrounded by farmland.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan - only 5 minutes drive, these magnificent gardens are very popular all year round. Also has a wonderful farm shop with local produce.
The Eden Project - said to be the 8th wonder of the world, these giant biomes house artificial environments such as rain forests and Mediterranean deserts. There are also other activities such as zip lining. Around 20-25 minutes drive.
Surfing - If conditions are right, it is possible to surf at local beaches, such as Caerhay's, Hemmick and Pentewan. If not, more consistent surfing beaches on the North are only 40-45 minutes drive i.e. Watergate bay and Fistral.
Pentewan valley cycle hire - 10 minutes drive.
Mevagissey - a traditional fishing village with shops, restaurants (we highly recommend Alvorada and Salamanders) and loads of great pubs.
Caerhays estate and castle - 5 minutes drive.
Polmassick Vineyard - 10 minutes drive.
Melinsey mill cream tea - 15 minutes drive.
St Austell Brewery - 20 minutes drive.
Charlestown - Around 20 minutes drive, see the amazing tall-ships and if you are lucky some great film sets!
Fowey - Historic harbour town, around 40 minutes.
The Minnack Theatre - a fairly long drive at 1 hour 30 mins, but well worth it! This historic theatre is carved into the edge of a cliff and over looks the sea! They show various Shakespearian plays and kids shows throughout the summer. Book in advance.
Getting Around:
Cornwall is quite remote by nature, so a vehicle is advised for getting the most out of your time here. There is parking on the kerb in front of the house for 3 small or 2 large vehicles, with overflow available in a layby 50m up the road. We have a 7.4 kWh EV charger mounted on the wall at the far end of the parking area. It is a Go Zero Optimus EV charger, and it can fill your car with 20-30 miles of range per hour, depending on the type of electric car you have. The cost is £0.50/kWh and the average vehicle should cost around £4 to charge from empty.
However, there is a bus stop right outside The Chapel for those looking to use public transport to travel into Mevagissey or Gorran Haven for an evening out. Taxis are also available should you be coming back late.
The nearest train station is in St Austell - around 20 minutes drive. Trains operated by Great Western run direct from London Paddington to this station. From here, you can either hire a car or get a taxi to The Chapel. The nearest airport is in Newquay - around 45 minutes drive. Similarly, you can hire a car here or get a taxi - though we recommend to book in advance if you do.
Other Things to Note:
There is parking on the kerb in front of the house for 3 small or 2 large vehicles, with overflow available in a lay by 50m up the road. We have a 7.4 kWh EV charger mounted on the wall at the far end of the parking area. It is a Go Zero Optimus EV charger, and it can fill your car with 20-30 miles of range per hour, depending on the type of electric car you have. The cost is £0.50/kWh and the average vehicle should cost around £4 to charge from empty.
Please note the property sits on a country road B road that unfortunately does not have a 30mph limit. The door is fitted with a safety chain to prevent kids or dogs running out.
At the start of September 2024 the chapel has to have some works done to the roof for one day. It's all external so no access needed inside, but guests will need to move their vehicles to the lay by for the day. We do not yet have an exact date but please be aware this day may fall over your booking if you are staying over this period.
No smoking inside the building.
Dogs are welcome with a fee of £20/dog (max 2). It is on the condition they are not allowed on the soft furnishings or in the bedrooms and not left in the property unattended.
Interaction with Guests:
We will be available via message, email and phone during your stay. Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Electric car charging station
Unit size: 2,895 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
We kindly ask that you treat our home with respect and leave it as found i.e. tidy, no dirty dishes etc. Thanks! No smoking inside the building. Do...
Pets
Pets are welcome
Service animals are exempt from fees
Note from host: Charge may apply
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.
Property is also known as
Historic Converted Chapel nr Mevagissey Eden Project Beaches
Historic Converted Chapel nr Mevagissey Eden Project Beaches!
Historic Converted Chapel nr Mevagissey Eden Project Beaches!
61efd309c5b67d0032476ed9
Frequently asked questions
How close is Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches to the airport?
This vacation home is 23 mi (38-min drive) away from the Newquay (NQY-Newquay Cornwall) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
Does Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches have an airport shuttle?
Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.
How close is Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches to the beach?
This vacation home is 2 mi (10-min drive) from Perbean Beach and 2.1 mi (9-min drive) from Little Perhaver Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Does Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches offer free breakfast?
This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.
Is there a casino at Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches?
No, there is no casino at this vacation home.
What time is check-in at Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Is there free parking at Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches?
Free parking is not available at this vacation home.
Does Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches have a pool?
This vacation home does not have a pool.
Does Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this vacation home.
How close is Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches to downtown St Austell?
This vacation home is 0.5 mi away from St. Goran.
Historic Chapel, Great Facilities nr Beaches Reviews
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 18 reviews
10 - Excellent
14
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 18 reviews
8 - Good
4
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 18 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.6/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Peter A.
Oct 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely large living area.
Peter A.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
hilary p.
Mar 7, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
great place
very well equipped with lovely furnishings and plenty of space.I wouldn't hesitate to return and stay there again
hilary p.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Lisa B.
Aug 20, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Wow and quirky
The first thing that grabs you when you walk into the Chapel is wow, the size of the Chapel itself is much larger than appears in the photos. The Chapel room itself is very quirky and interesting with the original pulpit, collection of old books as well as more recent books. A large table with chairs and various antiques around the room. The kitchen is well equipped with every utensil, crockery and more items than you can think of. The dining table with original pews are large and adequate for a large party of people/family. There are a couple of walks we found in the surrounding area. A shorter walk to the local beach or if you want to do a longer walk, you can walk from the chapel to Mevagissey and back again. My husband and our daughter did both walks on 2 separate days. I chose to stay in and look through the collection of books. The beds are comfy and soft and the two different styled bathrooms are lovely.
Would definitely recommend and would definitely stay again.
Lisa B.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Paul T.
Aug 17, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great base with everyone you could need
William was quick to reply to queries in advance of booking and enquired as to success of arrival and checking in with us during our stay - which was great.
Property is well equipped and clean throughout with a welcoming atmosphere.
Would recommend the chapel to anyone looking for a great base to enjoy and explore a glorious part of the world!
Paul T.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
anthony m.
Jul 1, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great thanks
It was lovely, unusual and comfortable.
anthony m.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
8/10 Good
Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house BUT
The house is large and very quirky lots of nik naks around the house. The bedrooms were comfortable and clean. The kitchen is large and we loved the large table to eat at. There is every utensil you could ever need.
The living room is large and the sofas are well sat on but clean.
Now this part of the review is personal to our family. My sister and i and our 4 children under 9. 1 who is hearing impaired and learning issues. The house has no outdoor space at all. Nothing front or back and the road outside is very busy with fast moving traffic.
We had issues with the TV which not an issue for some but with 4 young kids would have made our evenings a little more comfortable.
The house is in a great place for local beaches and Heligan and is a great base if you dont need any outdoor space but didnt meet the needs of our family.
Verified traveler
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
8/10 Good
Gillian H.
May 8, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent break
Amazing property everything there you could ever need. Incredible house and so interesting with antiques n interesting objects and paintings. Only thing in the middle of nowhere but honestly didn’t matter it was such a lovely place
Gillian H.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Shama Z.
Aug 1, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent place to stay.
We had a really enjoyable experience living in this property. Kids loved the place and we explored excellent beaches around the property.
Shama Z.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Mair S.
Feb 22, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Two nights in February
Had a lovely short stay at the chapel. Loved it’s quirkiness, the kids spent ages exploring and enjoying the place when we arrived. Well stocked with games, books, DVDs and cds for entertainment. Shame there isn’t an outdoor space for the dog to pee. However, loads of lovely beaches and coastal path walks close by the explore. A great base for a short trip!
Mair S.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
10/10 Excellent
luke o'tooe o., Bristol
Jan 4, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas at the chapel.
Fantastic! We was a party of two families age 7-58. The chapel was amazing, pictures and description just don't show how amazing this property is! Everything you can ever need is at hand even wetsuits for our Boxing Day swim/bodyboard! Cooking Christmas dinner for 8 was a doddle with ample of space in the kitchen. Parking out front was more then enough. Ok you have to drive as property is semi rural but everything is a stone throw away.
Great for exploring and Visited beaches and pubs new to us all.
Thank you for a Christmas never to be forgotten.
luke o'tooe o.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
10/10 Excellent
Bassem Z.
Sep 21, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
great place for family
nice place to stay ...really clean and everything is there for the family
Bassem Z.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Andrew C.
Sep 11, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
unique property, we loved it
great
Andrew C.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
10/10 Excellent
Carine M.
Jun 6, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Magnificent chapel!
Great surprise when we opened the door into the chapel.
Carine M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
10/10 Excellent
Philip B.
Oct 31, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay in South Cornwall
We enjoyed a wonderful few days exploring the beautiful South Cornish countryside. There's some fantastic coves and beaches nearby, each one with their own character. The property itself was amazing; the giant space of the chapel, plus the attached cottage. It had everything we could have wanted and would love to visit again.
Philip B.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020
8/10 Good
Anthony C., Oxford
Oct 22, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Great unique and spacious base to discovery the surrounding area!
Perfect, great value and absolutely unique. Sadly no ghosts!
Anthony C.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
8/10 Good
Paul Y.
Aug 8, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
A really good base for our holiday. It does have WiFi. Would recommend it for families.
Very good overall.
Paul Y.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
10/10 Excellent
Eve C.
May 7, 2019
Lovely space, atmospheric, we all loved it x
Well equipped, comfortable, full of quirky features and beautiful furniture. Very different and kids loved the space! Great music collection and thanks for use of beach gear x
Eve C.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
10/10 Excellent
Karsten K., Hamburg
May 29, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
A very special Accommodation
Never before we have been in such an impressive holiday accommodation as the Chapel. If you are looking for a hypermodern home you are definitely wrong here but in any other cases you should try! We enjoyed the loving interior and the complete facilities and missed nothing. One of our favorites was the sound system…
:)