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on’t worry too much if you forget to leave the bathroom light on while you’re here – the resident ghost will probably turn it off again. It’s just one of the ‘party tricks’ that the ‘grey man’ is said to perform (along with turning it back on again, annoyingly) by many of the guests who’ve stayed at this idyllic cottage over the years.

The ghostly figure is apparently that of a local farmer – aside from that, details are a tad sketchy. And we’d rather leave it that way, frankly. What we can tell you, though, is that the view is lovely – the cottage looking out over rolling farmland and three nearby lakes.

There are 11 acres of Cornish gardens and natural pastures to explore, six spacious rooms, five bathrooms and a cosy wood-burning stove in the lounge – just what you need for a weekend away with friends.

And if you do feel like venturing out, you’re only 10 minutes’ drive from the beaches at Bude and Widemouth Bay.