It’s a family thing. Come join us.
Ocean, waves, salt, cold water, clean air, sand, dunes, coves, clifftops, sky, horizon, sunrises, sunsets, coastal trails, forest trails, moorland, fields, campfires, s’mores, clear night skies, constellations, rain (always), sun (sometimes), space to breathe, space to roam, space to be. We love where we live, and we love the outdoor lifestyle we lead.
Ann’s Cottage. Born on Polzeath beach in 1978 to serve the needs of British surfers, spreading the love ever since. With over 150 brands spanning surf hardware, next generation wetsuits, must-have outdoor gear and the latest fashion, whatever you need, we’re here for you.
Our History
1978
Our founder Rob Harris starts selling surfboards and wetsuits from Polzeath’s village shop to the pioneers of UK surfing. Not long after, he takes over the petrol station next door, and Ann’s Cottage is born.
2003
We open our second shop in Wadebridge.
2006
Our third shop opens at Kingsley Village in Penhale, spreading the Ann’s Cottage name and ethos further. The shop proves so popular, we open our first shop in Padstow shortly after.
2007
Annscottage.com goes live, taking us out of Cornwall and helping us share our love of the Cornish outdoor lifestyle with a global audience. It’s a special milestone for us, considering our humble beginnings.
2008
We open two new shops in Falmouth, one of Cornwall’s thriving cultural centres.
2009
2009 is a big one for us. We open our two shops in the home of British surfing: Fistral beach,Newquay. We’re especially proud of these stores, which further cement our position at the forefront of the UK surf scene.
2010
We move from Kinglsey Village to St Columb, opening the Cornwall Surf Centre – home to our biggest selection of surf and outdoor lifestyle brands.
2013
We continue to grow by opening our second location in Padstow.
2017
39 years after starting up in Polzeath, we return to our spiritual home to open the Polzeath Surf Centre – a space dedicated to surf hardwear, bodyboards and SUPs, as well as the largest selection of wetsuits in Europe.
2018
It’s 40 years since Ann’s Cottage was founded, and we celebrate a cornerstone of our business– our local and wider surfing community – by opening a new shop in the heart of Cornwall’s surfing mecca: Newquay.
2019
Our name goes hand in hand with coastal life, but we decide to bring the sea to the city by opening our new 7,000 square foot shop in the Cornish capital of Truro – where customers can get all the gear they need to hit the ocean and enjoy the Cornish outdoors. If we do say so ourselves, we think the city suits us.
2021
A devastating year for us; our beloved founder, owner and managing director, Rob Harris, passes away. Ann’s Cottage stays in the family though, as his daughter Becci takes over the business. It’s the end of an era, but also the start of a new and exciting chapter for Ann’s Cottage. One where we continue to celebrate Cornwall, its awe-inspiring nature and the vibrant outdoor lifestyle it inspires.
