In a quietly stunning waterside location, Georgina and Michael Penruddock’s lovely nineteenth century house is actually on the Waterford side of the Blackwater estuary, with magnificent views across to Youghal - and its tranquil situation offers a degree of solitude that is becoming increasingly rare.
At high water, waves lap the edge of the garden and, when the tide is out, guests have a mile-long private foreshore to enjoy, shared only by the prolific wildlife of the estuary. While by no means huge, it is a well-proportioned and welcoming house with a natural elegance, and has been furnished and decorated with imagination for style, comfort - and to make the very most of its exceptional setting, the beautiful light and surrounding gardens.
There are just two very special guest rooms. A ground floor twin room, the Maugham Bedroom, is named after the author W. Somerset Maugham’s wife, Cecily, who was responsible for the floral designs on painted furniture in the room; it has windows on two sides – one overlooking a delightful courtyard planted with productive raised beds, the other with french doors opening onto a terrace overlooking the estuary – and a luxurious bathroom with separate bath and shower (also a lobby area suitable for a cot/child’s bed).
Upstairs, The Estuary Bedroom is a gorgeous double with windows to the south and west, a kingsize bed and comfy sofa and a beautiful bathroom. Surprisingly, perhaps, you’ll also find television and tea & coffee making facilities in both rooms.
A drawing room with original features is available for guests’ use and breakfast (including home made muesli and honey from their own bees) is served in a stylishly homely dining room in what was originally the harvesters’ lodgings, overlooking both the estuary and the courtyard.
Although dinner is not normally offered (the restaurants of Ardmore and Youghal are nearby), a meal can be provided here on the night of arrival if required – and, if guests are feeling sociable any evening, Michael and Georgie would love to play “kitchen bridge” with them!
Walking, fishing, birdwatching and golf are all nearby, and Newtown House would make a wonderful base for exploring unspoilt West Waterford and East Cork. This is a place you could fall in love with.
Rooms 2. B&B €65pps, single €100/80. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents room, cots available free of charge, baby sitting arranged). Free broadband wi/fi. Dogs welcome (stay in bedroom, no charge). Garden, croquet, walking. Fishing (sea & fly), golf & boat trips all nearby. Open ‘most of the time’. No credit cards.
