A Guide to Lifestyle Properties in Cornwall
Insights From An Award-Winning Country Estate
Owning a lifestyle property is about more than finding a beautiful home. It’s about creating a way of life that brings together home, business and the countryside in a way that feels both rewarding and sustainable.
Drawing on years of experience at Kernock House & Cottages, this guide explores what defines lifestyle properties, why properties in Cornwall continue to attract people seeking a different way of living, and what we’ve learnt from building a successful holiday letting business on an award-winning country estate.
A Different Way of Living
There comes a point when many people begin asking a different question.
Not “Where do I want to live?”
But “How do I want to live?”
For some, the answer is more space. More time outdoors. A stronger connection to nature and the opportunity to build something meaningful.
For us, that journey led to Kernock Cottages.
Over the years we’ve learnt that creating a successful lifestyle property is about far more than owning land or welcoming guests. It’s about thoughtful stewardship, continual improvement and creating somewhere that enriches both your own life and the lives of everyone who visits.
Whether you’re exploring lifestyle properties in Cornwall, researching a holiday let business, or simply interested in what goes into running a successful country estate, we hope our experience helps you understand what makes this way of life so rewarding.
Explore This Guide
What Is a Lifestyle Property?
Understand what defines a lifestyle property and what makes the best examples stand apart.
Why Cornwall?
Discover why Cornwall, and the Tamar Valley in particular, has become such a desirable location.
Running a Lifestyle Property
Learn what goes into balancing home, guests, land and business.
Lessons from Kernock
Explore what years of running an award-winning estate have taught us.
Further Insights
Continue exploring our articles on estate management, sustainability and guest experience.
What Is a Lifestyle Property?
A lifestyle property is more than simply a beautiful home.
It’s a place where home, business and the surrounding landscape come together to create a different way of living.
Across Cornwall, many lifestyle properties combine a private family home with holiday accommodation, allowing owners to generate an income while enjoying the space, freedom and rewards of rural life.
When thoughtfully managed, the business supports the lifestyle rather than defines it. The strongest properties evolve over time, developing a reputation, welcoming returning guests and becoming places that people genuinely remember.
The Best Lifestyle Properties Include:
- A private family home
- Established guest accommodation
- Proven income
- Beautiful grounds
- Long-term potential
- A distinctive identity
Why Choose Cornwall for a Lifestyle Property?
Choosing the right location is just as important as choosing the right property.
Cornwall offers an exceptional quality of life, but every part of the county has its own character. For us, the Tamar Valley offers the ideal balance between rural tranquillity and everyday practicality.
Why Cornwall?
Cornwall has long attracted people searching for a different pace of life.
Its coastline, countryside and villages are undeniably beautiful, but for many owners the appeal extends far beyond the scenery.
It is about creating a life that feels more connected to nature, community and the changing seasons, while remaining practical enough to support both family life and a successful business.
For owners of holiday accommodation, Cornwall also benefits from a strong visitor economy, with guests increasingly choosing independent, experience-led stays over traditional hotels.
Why the Tamar Valley?
Within Cornwall, every area offers something different, but we chose the Tamar Valley for its unique balance of privacy, accessibility and natural beauty.
Surrounded by ancient woodland, rolling countryside and quiet lanes, it provides a sense of escape without feeling remote. Plymouth, the A38 and the wider South West are all within easy reach, allowing owners to enjoy rural living while staying well connected.
For us, this balance has always been one of the estate’s greatest strengths, and one of the reasons we believe it is such a special place to build a lifestyle property.
Running a Lifestyle Property
Successfully running a holiday-let business is about much more than bookings.
The most successful lifestyle properties balance home, land, guests and business to create an experience that people genuinely remember.
Looking After the Land
Healthy gardens, woodland and open spaces create a setting that benefits both owners and guests.
Maintaining the Estate
Continual investment keeps buildings, grounds and facilities performing at their best.
Creating Exceptional Guest Experiences
The smallest details often become the biggest reasons guests return.
Planning for the Future
Sustainability and thoughtful long-term investment help a lifestyle property continue to evolve.
Balancing Home and Business
The strongest lifestyle properties support family life while allowing a successful holiday letting business to flourish naturally.
Lessons from Kernock
“Every improvement we’ve made has started with one simple question: how can we make this place even better for the people who call it home and the guests who come to enjoy it?”
Over the years we’ve learnt that memorable lifestyle properties are shaped by consistency rather than quick wins.
Looking after the landscape.
Listening to guests.
Investing in sustainability.
Making thoughtful improvements every year.
Those are the things that create somewhere people remember and return to.
Explore More from Kernock
If you’d like to explore these topics in more detail, we’ve shared more of our experience across the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lifestyle property?
A lifestyle property combines a private home with a way of living that often includes land, gardens and an income-generating business such as holiday accommodation.
Is Cornwall a good place for a lifestyle property?
Yes. Cornwall remains one of the UK’s most desirable regions for lifestyle properties thanks to its natural beauty, strong visitor economy and exceptional quality of life.
Do lifestyle properties always include a business?
No. While many include holiday accommodation or another income stream, others focus purely on rural living and the lifestyle the property provides.
What makes a successful lifestyle property?
Successful lifestyle properties combine a beautiful setting with thoughtful management, quality guest experiences, sustainable long-term planning and a strong sense of identity.
Why is the Tamar Valley so appealing?
The Tamar Valley offers peaceful countryside, excellent accessibility and a unique balance between rural living and modern convenience, making it one of Cornwall’s most attractive locations for lifestyle properties.
