A former royal retreat with its own private slipway built for the Royal Yacht Britannia has gone up for sale for £8.5 million.

Penolva, a magnificent six-bedroom waterfront home in the exclusive Cornish village of St Mawes, was once a beloved seaside escape for the Queen Mother and other members of the royal family.

The property was built in the early 1960s by Dick Wilkins, a wealthy London stockbroker, keen yachtsman, and close friend of the Queen Mother. 

Keen to make the royal visits as easy as possible, Wilkins added a private slipway so that the Queen Mother and her daughters could step ashore directly from the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Over the decades, Penolva became a regular stop for royal family holidays, before later being transformed into a luxury holiday rental.

The name Penolva means ‘lookout on the headland’, fitting for a property boasting breathtaking 180-degree views over Falmouth Bay, St Anthony’s Lighthouse, and St Mawes Harbour.

The house offers 3,659 sq ft of living space, including a kitchen and breakfast room, dining room, elegant drawing room with a reading area, and a media and sitting room. Upstairs are four bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms.

A detached two-bedroom annexe provides extra accommodation, while the landscaped 0.34-acre gardens feature tiered terraces, direct access to the foreshore, and a private stone stairway leading down to the water.

Penolva, a magnificent six-bedroom waterfront home in the exclusive Cornish village of St Mawes

Keen to make the royal visits as easy as possible, Wilkins added a private slipway so that the Queen Mother and her daughters could step ashore directly from the Royal Yacht Britannia

The property was built in the early 1960s by Dick Wilkins, a wealthy London stockbroker, keen yachtsman, and close friend of the Queen Mother. Pictured: A twin bedroom

Over the decades, Penolva became a regular stop for royal family holidays, before later being transformed into a luxury holiday rental

The name Penolva means ‘lookout on the headland’, fitting for a property boasting breathtaking 180-degree views over Falmouth Bay, St Anthony’s Lighthouse, and St Mawes Harbour

The house offers 3,659 sq ft of living space, including a kitchen and breakfast room, and dining room (pictured)

The property is being marketed by Fine & Country, who describe it as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.

A spokesperson for the estate agents said: ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of Cornwall’s most distinguished homes being set on the shores of the enchanting and exclusive Cornish coastal village of St Mawes.

‘Penolva is a rare and distinguished waterfront residence with a remarkable royal legacy. St Mawes holds a particularly special place in the heart of the Royal family.

‘Nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Penolva has hosted members of the monarchy for decades. Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, and The Queen Mother all made regular stops here during their Royal Yacht Britannia voyages coming ashore on Penolva’s slipway.

‘Offering panoramic world-class views, a private slipway, and direct access to the scenic coastline of the Roseland Peninsula, this spectacular home is a unique opportunity for those seeking heritage, privacy, and a premier coastal lifestyle.

‘On a clear day one can see for 50 miles or more.’