Please note, in line with the latest travel guidance we are only accepting new bookings that have a check-in date from 5th July 2020. We are available to take any calls on 01275 217575 if you have any queries regarding a current booking, or if you wish to place a new booking and have concerns. Thank you and stay safe

The delights of real glamping at The Fir Hill in Cornwall

We were really excited when Charlie Hoblyn invited us to for a restorative staycation at his off-grid real glamping at The Fir Hill last year. Located in the heart of north Cornwall, his ancestral estate is just five miles from the beaches of buzzing Newquay.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

We headed off to the Cornish coast and, as we arrived, Charlie came out to greet us with his gorgeous dog Lily.

After a wee chat and a cuppa on the terrace outside the communal Cowshed, he transported our belongings in his UTV and we settled into our dog friendly yurt.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

Our traditional Mongolian style 'Ger' yurt was enchanting, with a log burner at the centre, rugs and colourful artworks by Charlie himself adding some homely charms. There was a king-size and two double beds with thick duvets, comfy pillows and bed linen so packing for our trip was easy with no camping gear required (not that we own any!). We took some photos of the spacious, cosy interior for our Staycation Holidays website before unpacking. Clothing rails provided sufficient storage for all our belongings.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

Outside our yurt there was a private terrace with wicker furniture, a personal open fire pit and plenty of surrounding grass for dogs to loll around on (or for pups to run around). There was an outside covered kitchen area with running water for drinking and washing, a gas stove, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery and utensils - even a marshmallow fork! A good quality igloo cool box and ice packs were provided to keep our food fresh. Charlie provides wood, kindling, replacement ice packs and gas cylinders aplenty.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

Our yurt happened to be the closest to the newly renovated Cowshed, built on the site of the old cattle shed, housing eight showers and toilets which are cleaned throughout the day. With comfy sofas, tables, board games, plus a leisure area in the Cowshed with TV for children, there are lots of options for chilling out on a rainy day. When the weather’s fine, the sunny terraces outside the Cowshed and adjacent Barn offer additional areas for relaxing and enjoying the vistas.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

The Fir Hill is perfect for group gatherings. Everyone has their own space yet can come together for food and drinks on the terrace outside the Cowshed, with its barbecue, pizza oven and communal fire pit.

Later we met up with Charlie on the Cowshed terrace for sundowners. There were many guests staying and we observed how Charlie was an obliging and welcoming host, attentive to all his guests’ needs. He always had a fascinating story about the estate up his sleeve too.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

The expansion of the glamping site is part of a five-year vision that combines the preservation of one of Cornwall’s oldest family estates with sustainability and lending the land a new lease of life, Charlie explained.

His plans include renovating the derelict former manor house and incorporating further yurts. “The honeymoon yurt is the most popular this year and I want to be able to respond to the current demand for holidaying in the UK and getting back to nature” he continued. Since our meeting, he has added three further honeymoon yurts, each sleeping a couple or small family, making a total of 13 yurts on site.

Other plans include the introduction of a coasteering package, hamper service and foraging for wild food around the estate. He is also encouraging guests to come for longer stays as he feels that an extended break helps people truly unplug.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

We asked Charlie about how he came to acquire the historic estate. It has been owned by the Hoblyn family since the late 16th century when they moved to the area from Liskeard, he explained. However, it was abandoned and left to nature in the 1940s when John Paget Figg-Hoblyn refused to accept his inheritance. Charlie Hoblyn purchased the 62-acre ancestral estate in 2012 from a distant cousin and, since then, he has been working hard to reverse the neglect from previous generations.

The following morning we watched the fascinating 1994 BBC Bristol documentary, The Curse of Fir Hill Manor, which told the story of former Newquay policeman Derek Fowkes as he searched for John Paget Figg-Hoblyn, the reluctant heir to the estate. This is available for any interested guests to watch.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

After this it seemed only right that we should see Charlie’s sensitive restoration of the neglected grounds for ourselves. It was wonderful to reconnect with nature as we wandered through acres of woodland on the edge of the Porth Reservoir with Charlie and Lily. We realised that Charlie has passionately created somewhere rather magical. Charlie pointed out various archaeological features, shared his seemingly endless knowledge of the trees and plants as we passed and showed us the dreamy setting for the wedfest ceremonies and celebrations. You can also walk down to Porth Reservoir for fishing and bird watching (it’s a designated bird sanctuary), but, as we had a dog with us, we did not venture down that far and contented ourselves with admiring the views.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

Charlie then showed us round his beautifully restored orchard, where he has planted over 200 fruit trees largely consisting of local apple and cherry varieties. Guests are encouraged to pick the estate’s cherries, apples, plums and damsons throughout May to September.

Other improvements have included adding the yurts of course! These are nestled 30-metres apart across a sloping meadow, with hedgerows giving lots of sheltered privacy. They provide guests with an utterly relaxing and luxurious escape from modern life with spectacular views of Porth Reservoir and the stunning Cornish countryside from their private decked outdoor area.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

There are 13 yurts for 2023, nine of which can each sleep up to six in one king size and two double beds and four smaller yurts sleeping a couple or small family in one double and one single bed. The yurts themselves are made from materials including thick 100% sheep wool felt insulation, designed to keep cosy during chilly summer nights and comfortably cool during the day. Each of the larger six guest yurts has a log burning stove, so, if it does get a bit chilly, you can pop a fire on to warm up. Five of the yurts welcome dogs, meaning your canine pal can also enjoy a little adventure.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

A section of the glamping field was taken up by solar panels, and we also noticed thermal panels on the Cowshed roof. The site isn’t connected to mains services and sustainability has been at the heart of the Fir Hill restoration project from the outset. The solar panels provide all the power and hot water for the communal buildings and spring water comes from a borehole.

When we met up for a takeaway with Charlie later that evening, we asked more about his approach to sustainability. He proudly showed us the impressive Froling turbo log boiler that allows the site to run off thermal energy when the sun isn’t out. The sheer amount of work Charlie has put in to make sure the estate is as eco-friendly as possible is inspiring, and the whole operation is extremely impressive.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

There’s plenty to explore on foot or by bicycle nearby and The Cornish Way cycle route passes by the estate. Fishing, bird watching and stargazing around the campfire can be enjoyed without even venturing off the grounds!

During our stay we took a 15-minute drive to stunning Holywell and Crantock beach to walk with Harry. We had to keep the walk short as she was feeling quite sluggish. Harry has Addisons disease and she needed her next cortisol injection very soon. The beach was lovely and we played in the sand dunes. Another day we took a short trip to Carnewas at Bedruthan and took a refreshing coastal walk along the cliff top footpath admiring the spectacular views across the giant rock stacks on the beach.

Just four miles away, the energetic town of Newquay is a hip foodie destination and the surfing capital of the UK. There are plenty of surf schools and spots to rent out wetsuits nearby.

Glamping at the Fir Hill

Having been dealing with the chaos of refunding and rescheduling guests’ holidays because of the coronavirus outbreak, we realised how wonderful it was to take some time away from the pressures of daily life and our regular environment and felt completely recharged. We did need to continue our Staycation Holidays work whilst there and there are charging points and a good WiFi signal in the Cowshed. We absolutely loved sleeping under the stars and cooking by campfire in this magical back-to-the-wild glamping retreat.

Booking your glamping break at The Fir Hill

Glamping at the Fir Hill

The glamping site opens from Easter until the end of the October half term week. You can book the glamping yurts with Staycation Holidays for weekend, mid-week and week-long stays. This gorgeous site can also be booked for wedfests. Please telephone us on 01275 217575 if you are interested in this option.

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