The Boathouse is situated just yards from the beach at the old working harbour and tiny cove of Portholland, Cornwall on the Caerhays Castle Estate. The castle has been used as the fictional "Manderley" in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and is a wonderfully evocative estate.

We were impressed before we arrived by the atttention to detail of this agency. It was possible to order online groceries and then have them unpacked and stowed away by the housekeeper on the day we arrived. This was very convenient as we travelled down on our annivesary to find the table all set for 2 with a lovely white cloth, flowers, candles and wine in the fridge. As this cottage is a "get away from it all" destination we were able to relax from the moment we arrived, just what we needed to do after a very long journey.

Enter into a small hall with 2 bedrooms and 2 bath/shower rooms off. Both bedrooms are compact but comfortable and nicely decorated with a seaside theme. (Had the master bedroom had a king sized bed rather than a double I might have a awarded 5*.) Both bath and shower room are attractive and functional with large fluffy towels provided.

The hall offers good storage for wet coats and/or buckets and spades and then upstairs to a wonderful open plan sitting/dining room with an excellent kitchen. This large room is light and airy with magnificent sea views and sounds with the windows open. Lovely, comfortable seating, a good sound system and excellent lighting meant you could linger here on a cool or grey evening and still feel very much beside the seaside.

The kitchen was very sensibly organised with good quality equipment and appliances of every kind. Cutlery and china were also very high quality and everything was a pleasure to use and all extremely convenient.

This is a lovely part of Cornwall; go in the Spring for special treat to view the spectacular Spring Gardens at Caerhays, English Heritage listed Grade 2, and many other wonderful gardens. Heligan is but a short ride away where we enjoyed shopping at the farm shop. (This was a real treat, a whole week without having to visit a supermarket!) This area is a walkers paradise not far from "Camomile Lawn" country, the book by Mary Wesley but probably better known for the television adaptation made in 1992.

Niche Retreats comes highly recommended. I am still searching for an agency that provides the extras they do at expensive - but good value for money - rental prices.