Michael House

A vegan guest house in Cornwall

Michael House is a vegan guest house/bed and breakfast offering delicious food in a wonderful setting. The house is set just over a mile from Tintagel in north Cornwall, in the pretty hamlet of Treknow. It looks down towards the sea over rolling fields and the valley leading to Trebarwith Strand, whose stunning beach is five minutes drive away, or fifteen minutes on foot.

We are conveniently situated for the coastal footpath, which is a ten minute walk away, with dramatic scenery in both directions. Bodmin Moor is a half hour drive away and Tintagel, at the centre of the Arthurian legends, the site of the ancient castle, is just down the road.

There are two double bedrooms – both with en-suite bathrooms. One of the rooms can be a twin room.

We grow some of our vegetables in the garden.

Liv F
Liv F
March 19, 2020.
Best B&B ever The most amazing b&b ive ever had the pleasure of staying with. The breakfast was truly fantastic, with a full English, pancakes, fruit, and freshly baked bread every day. The rooms are absolutely beautiful with amazing views. Vanessa, the host, is so welcoming and friendly as well as her parade of cats! Also the value for money is outstanding. I really cant wait to return!
Graham D
Graham D
September 5, 2019.
Lovely place Spent a week here with my partner. Had a fabulous time. Lovely friendly owners, fabulous food, and good amenities. Highly recommend this place. When we next go to Cornwall this place will be top of the list of places to stay. Vegan and very dog friendly.
Violet Panda
Violet Panda
August 7, 2019.
Great little getaway! Fantastic little haven for vegans, or anyone that likes beautiful scenery and needs a bit of peace and quiet. I could even see the sea from my bedroom window! Vanessa is a brilliant host, and makes delicious meals. I travelled alone and felt at ease as soon as I arrived. Would love to come back again 🙂
Bosschaert-Devroe
Bosschaert-Devroe
July 13, 2019.
Vegan delight Ultimate argument for an animal friendly lifestyle: Michael House. Vanessa will cook you an inventive and tasteful three course meal. In the morning homemade pancakes, bread and cooked breakfast (scrambled tofu). Lovely rooms and books (literature, poetry, Cornwall, on veganism), great views, quiet environment, short walk to the coast, and cats and dogs that welcome you.
453dp1976
453dp1976
July 6, 2019.
Lovely Stay Had a lovely week. Imaginative and tasty vegan breakfast plus the option of a two or three course vegan evening meal were very welcome. The breakfast pancakes were particularly lovely! Comfortable rooms with picturesque views. Vanessa and Simon were so welcoming and friendly, offering lots of good suggestions for day trips. Very gentle and affectionate pets too! Particularly Sheba the cat who joined us for meals and Pickle the cat. A good base for travelling around Cornwall and we will definitely be coming back.
bexybexy
bexybexy
June 28, 2019.
Fab place!! This is an absolutely fabulous place for vegans to come and stay. And if you have vegan friends or family who are open-minded they would absolutely love it too. The rooms are comfortable and definitely a home from home with all the amenities you would want. It was lovely having a bath in my room and a beautiful view. There is tea and coffee making facilities with soya milk and also the fridge you can use to store your own stuff, in the porch. The breakfast and evening meals are divine. My highlights would be the freshly baked bread at breakfast, The crispy potato rosti that comes with the full English, and the heavenly sticky toffee pudding. The added bonus of cuter than cute dogs and cats -particularly Pickles who tinkles outside your bedroom with her collar!! Being a cat lover this was heaven! And Sheba who loved spending time with the guests at breakfast. Have a look on their Facebook page and you will see these lovely animals and of course the delicious food! Vanessa and Michael were very welcoming and kind and the perfect hosts. It's a lovely area and perfect for exploring other parts of Cornwall. I will be sorry to leave tomorrow and would recommend this wholeheartedly.
Sarahsixty5
Sarahsixty5
May 31, 2019.
The best B&B experience What a find. Such a welcoming host, comfortable room and bed, delicious home cooked vegan food and a wealth of information by way of books and leaflets on the local area. A really relaxing atmosphere with amazing views. This must be a popular choice by vegans and non vegans alike!
Sarah Hardy
Sarah Hardy
May 27, 2019.
Relaxing stay Lovely stay at Michaels house Tintagel. Vanessa fed us so well with delicious vegan food. The house has amazing views and we felt at home in this beautiful part of North cornwall. Cannot wait to return to this lovely welcoming ethical compassionate guesthouse
Carol W
Carol W
September 26, 2018.
Mines and Quarries. This must be something like our 12th visit to Michael House since we first came in 2013!! It's not possible to grow tired of this part of Cornwall, with its magnificently beautiful coastal path walks and glorious beaches, and the hospitality at Michael House is always excellent. Recently a new vegan cafe has opened up in nearby Tintagel, - a little place called Vega, serving delicious lunches and evening meals, and the only place in the town to be offering vegan ice cream! The food is excellent quality and very generous portions. Our holiday on this occasion seems to have been one of interest in Cornwall's Industrial past, beginning with a most fascinating visit to East Pool mine, near Camborne, now managed by the National Trust, featuring a spectacular beam engine and very detailed models of how tin mines worked. Luckily most of the exhibit is inside, which makes it a good idea for a rainy day! We also visited a working engine, just across the road from East Pool and the preserved engine house near Trebarwith, something often seen on the skyline on previous trips to this area, but never before explored. This one is part of an old slate quarry. We've also been to St Agnes where the remains of the Wheal Coates mine may be seen - again very impressive, and managed by the National Trust. I think our recent interest in the mines must have been inspired by the Poldark series! There are loads of booklets, maps, guides and so on at Michael House, to give guests ideas of where to go and what to do. Having been here so many times now, we have walked nearly all of the local coastal paths. but never tire of any of them, visited Padstow by hired bike from Wadebridge, many times, along the Camel Trail, and also Bodmin - which has a very interesting old gaol. The Truro museum and cathedral are well worth a visit on a wet day. We also like the art galleries in Padstow, and the Arthurian Centre, near Slaughterbridge, when the weather lets us down a bit. The old Post Office in Tintagel is another great place to duck into when it's raining but TIntagel Castle is very exposed and needs a dry day with - preferably - not much wind! Michael House breakfasts are sumptuous - cereal and fruit, a full cooked meal, toast and/or pancakes and there is a wide choice of meals on the evening menu. Guests choose in the morning what they will eat in the evening - everyone eats the same. It's a small, cosy place, just two bedrooms. both en suite, comfortable beds, very clean and well equipped with all you need for tea/coffee. There is good wifi and a guests' lounge where you can watch tv, read, listen to music or play games. Pets are welcome, and all the beaches in the locality are dog friendly. This is a Must Visit place for anyone, vegan or not.
magyk85
magyk85
September 11, 2018.
Lovely BnB and (vegan) meals Stayed 2 nights at Michael House, getting spoiled by Vanessa‘s meals - breakfast and she also offered dinner (2 or 3 courses vegan) The room is very cosy with a beautiful view towards the coast in the distance. Comfy bed and nice touches. The cats and dogs add an extra charm to the place and give it a very homely feel. Much enjoyed staying here, and also the company at meal times of some other guests. Thank you, Vanessa and Simon, for. lovely stay.

Michael House is set at the top of the valley, looking towards the sea at Trebarwith Strand in the hamlet of Treknow. It is situated just over a mile from Tintagel. The A30 trunk road is an easy 30 minute drive away and Bodmin Parkway main line station and Newquay Airport are a 45 minute drive.

There are circular and coastal walks locally and the walk to Tintagel along the coast passes slate workings from the turn of the last century, which have added to the drama of the coastline.

Through the field to the front of the house, across the stream and passing through the valley wood, it is a ten to fifteen minute walk to the beach at Trebarwith Strand. Popular at low tide, this lovely beach, like many locally, offers excellent surfing, and equipment can be hired by the beach. Trebarwith Strand is a great beach for dogs and families.

A little further afield are Boscastle, Padstow and Port Isaac, all attractive harbour villages with plenty to see. Bodmin Moor provides a scenic contrast to the coastal areas. The Eden Project is an hour’s drive away.

Here are some useful links:

Tintagelweb – a very useful site for information on the local area

Be Vegan Today page for Cornwall and Devon

Vega Tintagel

Happy Cow vegan restaurant guide

Happy Cow App from the iTunes App Store

Vegan Cornwall

I walk North Cornwall – a selection of short and mid distance guided walks

Elixirhealth.co.uk sells vitamins, slimming, detox, herbal supplements, juicers, bodycare, homeopathy and alternative medicine, based in Cornwall, with health encyclopedia.

The Food

As well as delicious and extensive breakfasts, we offer evening meals to guests and non-residents, by arrangement. These are on a set menu basis and draw inspiration from traditional and world cuisine. Colour and flavour will be paramount. We aim to use the best local, fairly-traded, home produced and/or organic produce we can obtain.

Breakfast

Fresh fruit salad, juice, cereals, home-made muesli, freshly baked bread and preserves, and…
Cooked breakfast, including scrambled tofu, tomatoes, beans, vegan sausage, potato rosti, spinach, mushrooms, toast
Tea/ coffee/herbal /fruit drink

We hope the following will tempt you! All dishes are subject to availability of ingredients. First person to book a meal can choose, or plan with fellow guests. Only one choice available for each course. The list is not exhaustive, do suggest other things as well!

All meals finished with hot drink and chocolates. £25.00, three course, £20.00, any two courses, (same courses please!). All dishes are vegan. Always happy to try out new things! Always happy to be asked for a surprise, if you prefer, or to be told only the things you would prefer not to have. Children’s menus can also be devised around preferences. Sauces and accompaniment can be swapped around. I use alcohol in my cooking quite extensively.

We are currently not licensed but you are welcome to bring vegan alcoholic drinks to enjoy with your meals

Menu Ideas

Starters
  • Carrot and coconut soup – rich and filling
  • Roasted tomato soup – best when tomatoes are in season, summer
  • Asparagus, with lemon sauce, or not. Best when in season, May.
  • Carrot and orange soup – light
  • Mushroom soup
  • French onion soup
  • Mezze – houmous, olive tapenade, etc. – can be main course
  • Sushi – can be served as a main course.
  • Pasta with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and olives, when available
  • Corn chowder – thick and filling
  • Lentil and tomato dahl
  • Mushroom, puy lentil and walnut pate
  • Filled mushrooms – lemon and garlic
  • Leek and potato soup – warming, not liquidised
  • Pasta salad
  • Filo parcels, tend to be one mushroom and one tomato
  • Sweetcorn fritters, can be main course

All served with home baked rolls or bread

Main courses
  • Thai green curry – coconutty, not very hot
  • Quinoa filled pepper, with currants and capers, with rich tomato sauce
  • Nut roast, made with roasted nuts, with gravy
  • Macaroni cheese
  • Mixed curries – at least three different vegetable curries,
  • Vegetable satay
  • Spice crusted tofu with maple syrup and lemon glaze
  • Cauliflower cheese
  • Butterbean and mushroom puff pastry
  • Minted couscous with lemon and rosemary infused roast vegetables
  • Spinach lasagne
  • Asparagus, broad bean, mushroom or pepper risotto, depending on availability and season
  • Moussaka – aubergine based dish
  • Tagine – spicy
  • Shepherds pie
  • Sweetcorn fritters
  • Mushroom, spinach and sun dried tomato flan
  • Macaroni cheese

All served with vegetables or salad, according to preference or availability and suitability

Desserts
  • Steamed ginger and fruit pudding with lemony sauce
  • Pan fried pineapple, with or without rum – light dessert
  • Pear, almond and amaretto puff pastry tartlet, dependent upon availability of good pears
  • Chocolate pots, with or without cointreau or other spirit! – tiny pots of intense chocolatyness
  • Blackcurrant or other fruit tartlet, depending on availability, seasonal
  • Spiced apple and pecan or walnut crumble, or rhubarb, or gooseberry, depending on season and availability
  • Fruit kebabs with chocolate sauce
  • Fruit trifle
  • Strawberries with hazelnut shortcake
  • Sticky toffee pudding
  • Bakewell tart
  • Apple tart
  • Chocolate and pecan tart
  • Rum marinated fruits with coconut and lime cream
  • Lemon or lime cheesecake
  • Michael house mess, meringue, fruit
  • Chocolate mousse
  • Bread and butter pudding
  • Lemon meringue pie

The House

The house was built by a Cornish family, with locally quarried slate and stone, about 120 years ago and was transformed into an entirely vegetarian/vegan guest house in 1995. Vanessa and Simon Lackford took over the guest house in 2004. Whilst the family house character remains largely unaltered, it now provides good sized guest rooms. Both rooms are comfortably furnished and have relaxing views towards the sea. There are facilities in each room to make drinks.

There is a patio area with views towards the sea at the front of the house available for the use of guests. The sitting room, with TV, is also for guest use at all times.

People with limited mobility may find the situation of the house, on a steep hillside, problematic.

Room One

This room has views to the front, towards the sea and the valley above Trebarwith Strand. The room can be made up with either a super king size bed or as a twin room with two beds. The bathroom, with a full size bath with sea glimpses, has a hand held shower over it. The room is spacious and has a table and chairs looking towards the view.

Room Two

Has a standard double bed and a large bathroom, with both a full size bath and a separate walk-in shower. There are views in three directions, to the front towards the sea, to the side over Treknow hamlet and to the back, over fields. This room is also spacious, and can readily accommodate a fold up bed or cot.

Pictures of rooms in the house can be found in the sidebar of the Michael House Blog

The Tariff

Prices for 2024

Accommodation

Per person, per night, bed and breakfast

Double or twin, en-suite

  • One night: £52.00
  • Two to four nights: £45.00
  • Five nights or over: £42.00
  • Child, 10 or under: half adult price

Add-ons

  • Additional child or adult in fold up bed: half adult price
  • Tiny child, in own or our cot: £5.00
  • Single supplement: £15 per night

Michael House is open all year.

Meals
  • Meal, three courses: £25.00 per adult
  • Meal any two courses: £20.00 per adult
  • Child 10 and under, half adult price
  • Picnic, all ages £10.00 per person
Pets

Companion animals by arrangement: £15 per visit per dog, per week. (We have cats and dogs living with us).

Transport

Bodmin Parkway, £30 per trip, total. Other journeys, by arrangement. 

Deposit and Payment
  • Deposit: £25 per person booked
  • Cash or direct transfer

The Terms

If you make a provisional reservation, please note that this can only be held for a maximum of three days. During August, no provisional bookings can be made.

A deposit of £25.00 per person is required to confirm the booking. Confirmation will be sent by email to the guest with details of the booking. Deposit payment preferred by direct transfer.

In the event of the guest cancelling (except during July and August), the deposit is non-returnable but is transferable to a new booking. Obviously, if we have to cancel your booking, we will return the deposit in full.

These may be subject to different conditions.

The house is strictly non-smoking.

Well-behaved companion animals welcome by arrangement at a charge of £15 per visit per animal per week. Our animals use the sitting room by invitation at times.

The balance of payment for your holiday will be due at the end of your stay. We accept payment by direct transfer or cash. Card may be possible.

The Location

Directions to Michael House
The hamlet of Treknow is one mile south of Tintagel. From the A39 Bude to Wadebridge road, take the B3266 just after the BP garage outside Camelford, then B3263 (Camelford – Tintagel) stretch until you reach Trewarmett. Carry on for about one mile, until you reach Tregatta. After a sharp left hand bend, you will see a sign to the left for Treknow. Take this turn. Go through the hamlet and fork left up Trelake Lane. We are then about 100 yards up the lane on your left. We have off-road parking for three vehicles.
Postal Address

Michael House
Trelake Lane
Treknow
Tintagel
Cornwall
PL34 0EW

Telephone

01840 770592
(+44 1840 770592 from outside the UK)

E-Mail

info@michael-house.co.uk