In March 2020, as the UK entered lockdown, Gordon Ramsay, the fiery celebrity chef, whisked his family to their £4.4 million mansion in Trebetherick, near Daymer Bay, Cornwall. This beachfront retreat, one of three Cornish properties Gordon owned at the time, became a sanctuary for Gordon, wife Tana, and their children—Megan, Holly, Jack, Matilda, and toddler Oscar—during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lavish home, with its sprawling kitchen, sea views, and family-friendly amenities, was both a haven and a stage for Gordon’s heartwarming cooking tutorials, though their stay sparked local controversy.
Gordon, born in 1966 in Scotland, had built a culinary empire by 2020, with his three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and TV hits like Hell’s Kitchen. His Cornish mansion, purchased in 2016, boasted a 2.5-acre plot with a tennis court, infinity pool, and manicured lawn leading to the beach. The open-plan kitchen, a chef’s dream, featured a marble island, midnight-blue drawers, and duck egg blue cabinets with glass fronts, perfect for Gordon’s Instagram tutorials like “Lamb Chops in 10-ish” and “Perfect Burger.” Filmed by daughter Megan, these videos, often featuring Oscar playing in a toy kitchen, showcased Gordon’s softer side, evoking tears of joy from fans.
The home’s design reflected Gordon’s taste for spacious, minimalist luxury. Wooden floors, a dark blue fireplace, and wicker baskets gave the living room a rustic beach vibe, while glass doors opened to a patio ideal for al fresco dining. The front garden, with furniture set for sea breezes, offered stunning ocean views, a feature Gordon highlighted on This Morning with daughter Tilly. The pool and tennis court kept Jack, then 20 and later a Royal Marine, and his siblings active, while the family’s dogs roamed the grounds, adding charm to Instagram posts.
Gordon’s lockdown experience wasn’t all idyllic. He humorously lamented cooking non-stop for his “ravenous” children, joking it was a “living nightmare” compared to his career. His tutorials, supporting the NHS with a £10,000 donation challenge, blended culinary expertise with family banter, like when Tilly challenged his burger-making speed. These moments, echoing his MasterChef Junior kindness, connected with fans, though his move to Cornwall drew ire from locals. Residents, concerned for vulnerable neighbors, criticized Gordon for relocating from London, accusing him of flouting travel guidelines. Gordon, a face of the “Stayhome” YouTube campaign, faced backlash but stayed, filming from his kitchen.
The Trebetherick mansion, sold in 2021 for a record £7.5 million, was a pinnacle of Gordon’s £11 million Cornish portfolio. Its renovations, including a boathouse and wine cellar, boosted its value, though neighbors lamented the 1920s home’s demolition. Gordon’s bond with Jack, rooted in shared discipline from his own tough childhood, shone quietly, with Jack’s presence grounding the family. Tana, a steady force, supported their stay, later keeping her 2023 pregnancy with son Jesse private at their nearby Rock property.
The Cornish retreat, a blend of luxury and family warmth, captured Gordon Ramsay at his core—a chef, father, and polarizing figure. His lockdown tutorials, filled with love for his craft and kids, left fans teary, while the controversy underscored his complex public image. The Trebetherick mansion, now a memory, remains a testament to the Ramsays’ resilience, proving that even in isolation, family and food can create moments of joy.
