REAL GLAMPING - RESTORATIVE ESCAPE AT THE FIR HILL ESTATE, CORNWALL

Take time out and reconnect with nature on the north Cornish coast

Back in September, when the ebbs of summer were stretching on, the nights drawing in, yet the air still warm, we packed our bags and headed to the Cornish coast for a restorative post-lockdown stay where we could connect with nature at the Fir Hill Estate - an off-grid real glamping retreat in the heart of a historic family estate in north Cornwall. 

The dreamy setting is nestled amongst beautiful woodlands on the edge of the Porth Reservoir, five miles from Newquay with 62-acres of private land to explore; ten spacious yurts provide an utterly relaxing escape from modern life, with guests able to benefit from a luxury glamping experience which combines sustainability, abundant wilderness and the preservation of one of Cornwall’s oldest family estates.

Sleep under the stars

Accommodation is provided in Mongolian style 'Ger' yurts, nine of which can sleep up to six people in a king-size bed and two double beds, with the newest ‘honeymoon’ addition sleeping a couple or small family. Each yurt – spaced 30-metres apart - has its own fire-pit, personal BBQ and covered cooking area with gas stove, cool box, running water for drinking and washing up, tea and coffee making facilities, food storage facilities as well as pots and pans. All bedding and bed linen is provided too, making packing for the trip an effortless task. 

Five of the yurts welcome dogs, meaning your canine pal can also enjoy a little adventure.  

With Partridge in tow, we settled into our dog friendly yurt, which happened to be the closest to the barn, with the most stunning hedgerow of Silver Willow giving us lots of sheltered privacy. Inside we had a king-size and two double beds, with a log burner at the centre - a super cosy space with plenty of room to move about. 

Sustainability at the heart 

From the outset, energy and utility sustainability has been at the heart of the Fir Hill restoration project. The site has never been connected to mains services and now benefits from solar thermal panels, borehole and spring water supply.

Into the wild

We spent our days exploring the estate and woodland - accessible to guests on foot, or by mountain bike - and stargazing around the campfire by night, drinking local gins, and tucking into hearty Cornish produce cooked over our fire pit. 

There is also fishing and bird watching at the reservoir - which is a designated bird sanctuary, and within a few miles are some of the most lauded beaches of Newquay and the surrounding area, including Fistral Beach, Watergate Bay, Lusty Glaze and Crantock. 

One of Cornwall’s most popular surfing spots, the town is quietly emerging as the place to be for a more refined escape, having undergone the slow transition from party-town to hip foodie destination. 

A Foodie’s Haven

There is so much happening on the foodie scene right now, with a plethora of eateries propping up, including Emily Scott’s new pop-up at Watergate Bay, The Boathouse Food Hub at Newquay Harbour, as well as Jam Jar Jess’s newly opened, Jam Jar Kitchen in Crantock, just two miles south west of Newquay. Alfresco dining is also on the rise; Dine With Iris, a bespoke, luxury and personalized picnic experience allows visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, with the addition of a picnic package that is all taken care of.  

Tailored Picnics

Briony Gilbert, founder of Dine With Iris kindly popped by to set up one of her luxury bespoke picnics, in our secluded garden, next to the Silver Willow. 

 The tailored picnic packages include everything from a full set up and clear up of the picnic to cushion piles, rugs and beautiful china, seasonal/themed flowers, a seasonal savoury grazing-board - topped with local produce - a decorative umbrella, Bluetooth speaker and customized chalkboard message. 

 Each picnic is completely bespoke, and therefore can be tailored to your exact requirements, meaning you can get creative with your chosen colour schemes, and personalized décor. 

We were treated to the most sumptuous spread of delicious local produce including a selection of Cornish cheeses, cured meats, crackers, artisan breads, exotic fruits and savoury treats, as well as homemade cakes and puddings from the Jam Jar café in Crantock. A bottle of rose from Knightor Winery to complement the spread, we sat on comfy cushion piles and tucked into a true taste of Cornwall, watching the dipping sun and enjoying the peace of the surrounding countryside. 

 It’s not only the cafes and restaurants stealing the show however, whether it’s a laid-back beachfront retreat or a tranquil countryside dwelling off the beaten track, there are a variety of contemporary and historic staycation offerings, including the beautiful Fir Hill Estate.  

History of Fir Hill 

Purchased from a distant cousin, by Charlie Hoblyn in 2012, the Fir Hill Estate has been owned by the Hoblyn family since the late 16thcentury but was abandoned and left to nature in the 1940s. Since acquiring the estate, Charlie has been gradually developing it as a retirement project, so far having restored the orchard, planting over 200 fruit trees largely consisting of local apple and cherry varieties. Other improvements have included adding the yurts and construction of the Cowshed, built on the site of the old cattle shed and housing showers, toilets and a leisure area. The adjoining Barn is available for yoga, meditation or raiding the games cupboard on a rainy day, while the sunny terrace is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the vistas.

 A big part of Fir Hill’s appeal is the charm and hospitality extended by Charlie, who is a real character, with his dog Lily in tow, he’s likely to invite you to join him on the terrace for a local cider or to toast marshmallows around the campfire.

 The vision behind Fir Hill is to provide modern usage to an ancient Estate, and to maintain continued unbroken ownership by the Hoblyn family - the land originally purchased by the Hoblyns in the 16th century.

Reconnect With Nature

Old meets new within a dreamy setting where the Cowshed incorporates triangular architectural windows, that add a contemporary vibe to a 19thcentury style barn, the perfect setting to take time out, just a stone’s throw from the north Cornish coast; a magical retreat where you can sleep under the stars, reconnect with nature and discover acres of woodland, orchards, small lawns and defined walks. 

 Charlie has secured planning permission for another ten yurts, to be installed over the next five years, allowing more like-minded folk the chance to discover the magic of the estate.  However they’re set to progress, I’m pretty sure I’ll be returning.

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