Centred around a landscaped courtyard and Grade II listed clocktower above the secluded Duporth Beach, our new homes at The Courtyard are surrounded by a wealth of Cornish history. Lovingly restored to reveal a stunning new collection of thirty-eight 2 and 3 bedroom homes, in this latest blog we uncover the rich heritage behind the site and follow the journey Acorn Blue has taken to transform the area into an exclusive collection of coastal homes available now.
Formerly home of the Duporth Manor Estate, The Courtyard boasts a fascinating history and is connected to one of Devon and Cornwall’s most prominent families, the Rashleighs – powerful merchants from the time of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Putting Duporth on the map, entrepreneur Charles Rashleigh (1747-1823) built the estate between 1791 and 1805. Sometime during the 1840’s, Duporth Manor was transferred to George Freeth, Rashleigh’s solicitor, where under new ownership the Duporth Manor Farm was added between 1839 and 1882 and the clock tower around 1882. Boasting a history of its own, the clock was made by John Thwaite of Clerkenwell London, a brand name of Thwaites and Reed, who are the oldest clock manufacturing company in the world, and are responsible for some very famous clocks including the striking clock outside Fortnum & Mason, London.
With the expansion of the mining industry at the turn of the 18th Century, Charles became interested in developing a port on the south coast of Cornwall at West Polmear. With the aid of John Smeaton, a famous designer of lighthouses and harbours, Charles began construction of the harbour and in 1799 West Polmear changed its name to Charlestown in his honour.
Just a short walk from The Courtyard, today the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Charlestown attracts many visitors and has been featured in several films and television series including the BBC drama Poldark. Renowned for its historic harbour, Charlestown is full of character with majestic ships and beautiful period architecture along with a range of great cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from.
Duporth Manor was sold in 1933 where the estate was converted into a holiday camp, Duporth Holiday Village and was passed through several private owners, until it closed in 2006. After remaining vacant for more than a , Acorn Blue realised the stunning potential of the location: coastal views, natural beauty, homes that are authentic with a history and genuine connection to the community, and with direct private access to Duporth Beach.
Embarking on a new chapter, the former holiday park is now home to The Courtyard, a stunning collection of thirty-eight 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, bungalows and houses. Providing architectural and design inspiration, the Grade II listed clocktower underwent full restoration, with the original working John Twaites clock sitting proudly at the centre of the development. The new sections of the development also take their architectural cues from the original buildings and traditional Cornish design.
Overlooking a secluded private beach and access to private woodland, residents at The Courtyard can enjoy southerly and sea views across St Austell Bay, with each home having been thoughtfully designed with Perfectly located for exploring the South West, The Courtyard is just a short drive from the beautiful harbour town of Fowey and market town of Liskeard.
Part of our Lifetime Living Collection, exclusively for over 55s, to find out more about the homes available at The Courtyard, please call the team on 01637 876 000. Our Show Home is open Thursday to Monday by appointment.
For the safety of our visitors and staff, we encourage you to book an appointment. Please rest assured that the health and safety of our visitors and staff is of the utmost importance to us and there are a number of precautions in place.
