Family History Short Break to Be Held at Budock Vean Hotel in September

Four-night genealogy break set in historic Budock Vean Hotel near Falmouth

A unique opportunity to explore your family tree is coming to Cornwall this September, offering expert guidance and peaceful surroundings for anyone curious about their ancestry.

From Sunday 7th to Thursday 11th September, the Budock Vean Hotel near Falmouth will host a four-night family history short break, led by genealogist and author Dr Lesley Trotter. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have already started digging into your past, the course is designed to help you go further with expert-led group sessions, one-to-one support and dedicated time for your own research.

What’s Included

The immersive experience begins with a welcome dinner on Sunday 7th September, where guests can meet Lesley and fellow participants. Each morning from Monday to Wednesday, group sessions will cover how to plan and record your research, key sources to explore and techniques to help uncover long-lost ancestors.

Guests will also get a personal one-to-one session with Lesley during their stay, and a follow-up video call after the event to help keep up the momentum. The afternoons are kept free for leisure or independent research, with full access to the hotel’s facilities.

The full package includes four nights of dinner, bed and breakfast in the peaceful setting of Budock Vean. Prices start from £680 per person for a Standard Room, or £820 for a Signature Room.

Day Tickets Available

For those unable to stay the full four nights, day tickets for the morning sessions (Monday 8th to Wednesday 10th) are also available. These include access to course materials, afternoon use of the hotel’s facilities for research, and a follow-up video consultation.

A Hotel Steeped in History

Budock Vean itself has a long and fascinating past. The current hotel stands on the site of a manor house with records dating back to 1538, once owned by Cornish families such as the Penroses and Penders.

Opened as a hotel in 1933, Budock Vean attracted notable guests including Virginia Woolf, who visited in 1936 and described the “unspoilt bays” of the Helford in letters home. During World War II, it offered respite to Royal Navy sailors and even served as an unofficial mess hall in the final years of the conflict.

Surrounded by subtropical gardens and woodland leading to the Helford River, the hotel remains a quiet retreat for those looking to reflect, relax or reconnect with their past.

To find out more or book your place, visit www.budockvean.co.uk.