This two-storey apartment is situated within an architect designed house on the site of an old heritage railway building, once a part of the Great Western Railway empire designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Isambard’s Retreat is named after the engineer who brought the railways to Cornwall, and occupies the top two floors of this impressively designed property, the finish of which is second to none and provides a stunning holiday home in the middle of the ancient Stannary town of Lostwithiel which spans the River Fowey. In fact, the 13th-century bridge is where you will cross the river every morning if you fancy your breakfast in one of the many excellent cafés or local bakeries.

Lostwithiel was once the capital no less of Cornwall, and is a pretty town following the river with walks and kayaking opportunities along its banks. The town is the centre of Cornwall’s antique trade and ‘slow food’ movement, meaning its teeming with antique shops, cafés, fine dining restaurants and excellent pubs serving local ales and home cooked food galore.