Dawn French's life in quaint coastal village after leaving £6.6m mansion behind

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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The British comedian Dawn French, celebrated for her memorable characters in 'The Vicar of Dibley' and 'French and Saunders', has traded her picturesque Fowey sea view for a more secluded location near the Devon-Cornwall border. This comes as Fowey became "too cool and trendy" for her preference.
Dawn French has become synonymous with life in Cornwall since making it her home nearly twenty years ago, enchanting her fans with snapshots of her life by the sea.
In 2021, she sold her expansive 15-bedroom waterfront mansion in Fowey, which boasted breathtaking estuary views, for £6.6 million – a considerable increase from her initial investment in 2006.
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A native of Wales, Dawn French opted to leave behind her substantial property, as reported by the Express, in favour of a more serene environment within the quieter reaches of Cornwall.
Now, alongside her husband Mark Bignell, Dawn French enjoys the tranquility of a secluded Cornish village, basking in the serene waterside scenery, far removed from the crowds of tourists that flood Fowey during the peak season, reports Devon Live.
French had first made Fowey her home in 2006, residing in a Grade-II listed property with her then-husband Sir Lenny Henry and their daughter Billie, prior to their separation in 2010.
In 2013, Dawn French tied the knot with her current spouse Mark, a therapist, and decided to remain in their Cornish home. During her time in Cornwall, as Cornwall Live has documented, Dawn has become an avid advocate for the county's breathtaking scenery and gastronomic delights, frequently praising local eateries for their "unpretentious" atmosphere and delectable dishes.
The adored comedienne shares glimpses of her life in Cornwall with her followers, often humourously showcasing lesser-known gems like the dog-friendly Par Beach, which is also a preferred stroll for her furry companion.
One of Dawn's favourite spots for a meal out is Edie's Kitchen in Carlyon Bay, which is just a brief walk from where she used to live.
She acclaimed it on Twitter as the peak of her dining experiences that particular year, extolling the restaurant for its "unpretentious, fresh, tasty good-lookin grub".
Come September 2018, national gem Dawn French brightened the spirits of patrons at Edie's Kitchen by popping in whilst filming the third series of her hit show 'Delicious'.
Another treasured spot is the Hidden Hut in Portscatho, hailed as one of Cornwall's finest. Esteemed not only by locals but also by celebrities such as Rick Stein and Alice Levine, it even accommodated international dignitaries during the G7 Summit in 2021.
Back in 2017, Dawn delighted her fans by posting a stunning snapshot of Par Beach shrouded in mist while walking her beloved pooch.
The eagle-eyed residents of St Austell quickly recognised their cherished Par Beach in Dawn French's online photo, triggering a buzz of excitement among the Friends of Par Beach Facebook community.
Dawn French, known for her brilliant wit, demonstrated it once again in a 2019 tweet that married her affection for Cornwall with a naughty twist. She shared a snap of her pet against a breathtaking coastal scene, wittily captioned: "Cornwall. Ghastly."
Fast forward to 2024, purchasing a home in Cornwall now comes with a hefty price tag of £299,000 on average, as reported by the Office for National Statistics.