The Cottage
Trish and the Dugmore family have lived at South Hooe Mine for over 40 years. Slowly the undergrowth was cleared by generations of donkeys and the Count House, once almost a ruin devoured by ivy, came back to life. The cottage became a home for Trish's mother and now, a creative and peaceful retreat, it welcomes painters, writers and guests to stay beside the river.
Kitchen
The cottage has a well equipped, cosy kitchen with a table and chairs, fridge, electric oven and a Rayburn, which helps keep the cottage warm in winter and slowly cooks your meals. Bi-fold doors open onto a terrace with spectacular views up and downstream and a table, chairs and barbecue are all provided for your use.
A short hallway leads to the utility room, where there is room to keep coats and boots, a washing machine, Belfast sink and separate WC.
Sitting Room
In the sitting room there is a wood burning stove, next to a cosy armchair and a large, comfortable sofa. There are plenty of books for you to delve into during your stay, from classic novels to local history books. You will also find a television, Scrabble and binoculars waiting by the window, ready to spot herons, curlews and avocets. There is wifi and mobile coverage throughout.
Bedrooms & Bathroom
The bedroom has a super king bed with a pocket sprung mattress, a chest of drawers and plenty of hanging space. The sunny window seat is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a good book or just to sit and watch the ebb and flow of the tide.
Next door is a well lit bathroom with a double ended roll top bath with shower attachment, a sink and loo. Fresh, white towels are provided.
Outside
The Count House is found at the end of a long, grassy driveway with parking available just a few steps from the front door. Bi-fold doors open out from the kitchen onto a private terrace overlooking the river, the perfect place to enjoy an alfresco breakfast in the morning sunshine or a glass of wine in the evening watching birds return home to roost.
Not far from the terrace, steep steps lead down to a croquet lawn, and beyond to the jetty where you can swim at high tide or explore the upper reaches of the Tamar by canoe, rowing boat or paddle board. A footpath from the garden leads you straight into the woods and there are fantastic walks to be had all around the local area.
A Dog Friendly Cottage
You are very welcome to bring 1 or 2 well behaved dogs to stay with you at the Count House. Our border collie Taggles is always thrilled to have other four legged friends to play with!
There are plenty of fantastic walks from the doorstep on footpaths through the woods, miles of quiet country lanes to explore together and, of course, the river to swim in.
An additional charge of £30 per dog per week's stay applies and we have just a few house rules we ask you to respect if you are bringing your dog, which you can read in the Additional Information.
History of the Count House
It may be hard to imagine today as you approach the cottage in its quiet clearing between the river and the woods, but the Count House (or 'Account House’) was once at the heart of the activity at South Hooe Mine. This is where accounts were held, records kept, miners paid and the rights to work in the mine were auctioned.
The mine has played a significant part in the Tamar Valley’s long and important mining history with both silver and lead being mined here from as early as the 13th century. It was most active in the 1800s with 3 tons of silver mined between 1814 and 1815 alone and by 1861 was thought to be the deepest lead mine in England, stretching almost half a kilometre under the river.
The mine eventually closed in 1885 and though nature has reclaimed the area, the remains of the engine house and chimney still lie just a few metres away from the Count House.