A couple who used to live in Australia took “a leap of faith” when they purchased an eight-bedroom guesthouse and relocated to Cornwall – 10 years on, the pair are living the dream. Ulrica Harris, aged 58 and husband Bradley Harris, 60, bought the one-cottage guesthouse in Perranporth, and despite facing challenges over the decade, they have managed to make a success of their business.
The decision to start a new life across the globe came from what Ulrica described as a “midlife crisis”. Ulrica told Cornwall Live: “We were too old to go back to university and thought ‘what can we do that offers a great lifestyle?’ and we can’t really cook so we thought we’d forget about restaurants.”
The couple managed to find a way through and in 2015 they purchased The St George’s Hotel in the Cornish town despite never having lived in the UK before. The hotel owner revealed that the journey hasn’t always been easy, but has been well worth it.
She added: “The past few years have brought challenges for many businesses, but we’ve found that running a small guesthouse in Cornwall is a journey filled with opportunity and joy. The industry is evolving and we’ve embraced the shift. Gone are the days of constant front-desk staffing, modern tools have made operations smoother than ever.
“Guests book through online platforms, payments are automated just like guest correspondence. In the future, we might also introduce self-check-in. It’s allowed us to focus on what truly matters – creating memorable experiences in this stunning corner of the UK.”
Not only that but the couple have managed to scale back housekeeping, part of an eco approach as well as encouraging guests to conserve water and energy. As a result, Ulrica and Bradley are able to run the entire business without any extra support. “By midday, we often find ourselves strolling along Perranporth Beach, pinching ourselves that this is our life,” she says.
“Every day brings something new: a guest’s story, a stunning sunset, or a quiet moment savouring Cornwall’s charm.
“We’d do it all again in a heartbeat, and to anyone dreaming of a life by the sea, we say: now’s the time. Cornwall’s pull is stronger than ever, and a small guesthouse here isn’t just a business – it’s a chance to live the dream.”
