Escape to the beautiful wilderness of the North Cornish coast, close to Port Isaac & Polzeath. Stay in a handcrafted shepherd's hut with curved ash beams & Salamander wood burner on a converted railway line. Relax in your own private hot tub with only the local cows for company. Or explore the nearby woods, go swimming, fishing & boating on the magical freshwater lake. A perfect break for couples or a solo traveller wanting to unwind. For updates check "Free Range Escapes" on social media
The space
The shepherd's hut is based at Cornish Tipi Holidays/Weddings also known as Tregildrans Quarry and this is our beautiful first hut at this unique site. All our huts have their own individual character, so it is purely personal preference which would suit you best. Elderflower Hut also has a private woodfired hot tub - perfect for relaxing in style in the great outdoors. The site has a woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old quarry. The hut is at the top of a secret 20 acres clothed in ferns and bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Undisturbed by modern agrochemicals and herbicides the natural ecosystem has flourished, providing a thriving habitat for flowers and butterflies, birds and mammals.
It’s a place a world apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat.
The Shepherd's Hut itself is situated in a recently reclaimed part of the site on the old railway line which was taken out in the 60's, reclaimed by nature until now!
Guests will have full access to the whole site & all its faculties. 20 acres of woodland to explore and a freshwater lake to swim, boat and fish in. As well as your own secluded garden space complete with an open fire and garden furniture & couples wood fired hot tub.
The shepherds hut has its own private compositing loo and wooden shower shed (made partly from pallets) both outside. You are of course allowed full access to any of the other loo/shower blocks on site.
There is also electricity!! Solar powered lights & USB sockets make it easy to charge items or read a book after the sun goes down. However please be aware that there are not any standard plug sockets in the hut.
The aim is to have created a space which makes you feel like you are out in nature & the elements but with more comfort than basic camping.
Guest access
Once guests have parked their car (in the mini car park) they will have to walk about 4 minutes down a footpath with their luggage. We use a self check in system, guests can be met if arranged prior to their arrival and within working hours.
Then it is up to you to explore the 20 acres of woodland clothed in ferns, bluebells & ancient oak.
Other things to note
Guests should also note;
The hut is very much a nature experience not a hotel one, if you aren’t happy being out in the elements (sometimes it rains, snows, is windy, is sunny, gets muddy on the track, gets dark at night), or using a compost loo which (although well maintained ) can smell slightly of compost, or want to wear stilettos/bright white trainers for example we may well not be the right place for you.
That the Shepherd's hut has no fridge. There is a cool box under the sink – fresh frozen ice blocks can be collected daily from the main car park just outside the wood clad reception/little shop.
That I supply only a starter amount of firewood. So depending on the time of year (and weather) & how much you want to use the fire/hot tub you may need more - this can be purchased at £7.50 a net or you are welcome to bring your own.
Happy to have a well behaved child and parent or a couple and an infant staying as long as the guests are aware that we are not set up with children in mind. You can fit a travel cot in the hut but then there isn't much room to move.
Please bring sensible foot ware - wellies/boots are an essential item in Cornwall (especially in the winter) - our weather can be unpredictable & white trainers in the rain won’t end well.
We use a self check in system unless arranged otherwise.
Guests are expected to heat their own woodfired hot tub as part of the experience. The tub can be pre heated by a member of the team (when arranged in advance) at an additional cost or £40 plus the wood required to heat it, usually 3 nets worth (at the moment wood prices are £8.50 a net).
Happy to have a well behaved child and parent or a couple and an infant staying as long as the guests are aware that we are not set up with children in mind. You can fit a travel cot in the hut but then there isn't much room to move.
