Set in a terrace of genteel Victorian villas in Bude on the north coast of Cornwall, Beachmodern No. 28 blends in unassumingly among the family houses and bed and breakfast hotels; yet open the door and you’ll find a revolutionary approach to the Great British seaside holiday. Beachmodern No. 28 takes the style and comforts of a boutique hotel and combines them with traditional delights of coastal walks, ice cream on the beach and picnics on the clifftops. Throw in Bude’s surfer chic scene and some excellent local seafood and you’ll quickly realise those fondly-remembered childhood holidays were never this good.
The house is surprisingly spacious, and the owners Emma and Errol Flanagan have added to the airy feel with cool white interiors that let the light stream in. Stripped wood floors and sleek furnishings give the rooms a minimalist feel, but large comfortable sofas, snug beds and the open fire in the living room give Beachmodern No. 28 an inviting sense of warmth. Each of the eight bedrooms is decorated in a similar style but the ones at the front of the house also get fantastic sunset views over Bude's Links Golf Course. Make sure you snap up the first floor master bedroom with the balcony before someone else does.
If you’re here out of season, the gas wood burner keeps the fully equipped kitchen toasty even in the colder months – particularly welcome after a bracing walk on the beach or a day swimming in the surf. Designed in stainless steel and oak, the kitchen is the heart of Beachmodern No. 28 year-round; you can easily fit 15 people around the dining table, although there is additional space for more if necessary. The Rangemaster Elite cooker is ideal for preparing large family meals as well as for preparing a dinner party for friends, and if the weather’s good there’s also a barbecue in the back garden. It’s often possible to hire the excellent Dan Stockland to cook for you. Dan caters to the stars as well, so if he’s not free you can console yourself that you probably lost out to Elton or Kylie.
The house is very child-friendly; with stair gates, highchairs, children’s cutlery, and enclosed front and back gardens. There’s even a small sandpit at the front of the house although this is only an appetiser for the wonderful beaches in the area. The nearest stretch of sand is Crooklets Beach; a few minutes walk away. In fact, the beautiful coastline is an adventure playground for everyone, which makes Beachmodern No. 28 a very popular choice for a seaside holiday with friends, too.
Bude has a dedicated contingent of surfers – local lunatics who can be found happily messing around among the breakers even in February. The surf scene gives the town a young and lively atmosphere. Beachmodern No. 28 can arrange for you to get tuition from a European champion (of surfing that is, not hypothermia). Don't worry; seeking out monster waves isn’t for everyone, so for something a bit more sedate there are fantastic clifftop walks, horse riding, golf and plenty of peaceful spots for simply lying in the sun. Of course, if you’re in one of the excellent local seafood restaurants later in the evening, it may not be as easy to impress your fellow diners with tales of the ‘totally awesome’ sandcastle you built in the afternoon, but it’s worth a try.
Reviewed by Jim Whyte
