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The Lake

Cardinham, Cornwall, England
1 acre hosted by Rupert H.
Glamping heaven for couples on Bodmin Moor: a unique, tranquil Cornish site where guests reconnect with nature in a secret lakeside location

Naming your new glampsite should be simple, right? Most owners highlight the one stand out feature, which sets the place apart. Easy. Unfortunately for Rupert and Fran – owners of Cornwall’s newest glamping venture – they’ve created a getaway with half a dozen headliners. Take the location; hidden by a disused china clay quarry, worked from the Victorian era until the 1940’s, the site provides exploring opportunities a-plenty for history buffs. Then there’s the accommodation itself: a converted shipping container from China, which once roamed foreign seas. Or how about the wildlife? From grazing Galloway cattle to migrating Canadian geese and swooping Sand Martins. And then there’s… ok, perhaps not so simple after all.

In the end Rupert and Fran opted simply for The Lake – “having your very own spring-fed lake to swim, row a boat or cast a line feels like the icing on the cake”. We think they picked wisely.

After a couple of wrong turns and some unexpected off-roading, guests arrive by car, which is swiftly abandoned – often for the entirety of their stay – before being warmly greeted for check-in. But this is no ordinary check-in: opening the industrial container lock-by-lock feels like unwrapping a giant, Transformers-like Christmas present, quickly morphing into a cosy cabin. Inside, the design is simple, functional and contemporary – probably owing to Rupert’s Scandinavian roots – and comes with a comfortable double bed, fully-equipped kitchen, double-glazed French windows, LED lighting throughout, and should the sun not blaze, warmth is supplied by a small wood-burner.

The ablution facilities, all stationed at the rear of the container, are designed to strike joy into the heart of the eco-conscious glamper. The hot showers – and we mean hot – are solar powered (the site is completely off-grid), and the water is pumped directly from the lake. Sorry, I mean your lake.

Any negatives? Well, the surrounding area comes under ‘Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000’, meaning you may see a dog walker or the odd solider scurrying through. Yes, you read that correctly. Survival courses – often the last exercise before being deployed to war – occasionally take place on Bodmin Moor's stark expanse, sometimes involving Chinook helicopters and mock battles! This is, of course, not everyone’s idea of serenity, but for most will make incredible viewing.

As for things to do in the area, when we asked Rupert for suggestions he replied, “Why would you want to leave?” And after spending a couple of hours exploring the crumbling Victorian ruins and watching in awe as moorland ponies clip-clop to the water's edge for an evening drink, we couldn’t help but agree. What you do here is up to you; drift away on the boat like Huckleberry Finn, build the evening fire or climb the short, but extremely fun, white sand mountain and make friends with the resident raven, who sits atop surveying the tranquil jade water below. Difficult decisions indeed. But not nearly as hard as naming your cool new glampsite.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Forest
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Location
Cardinham, Cornwall, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Rupert H.Joined in October 2015
From the host
Glamping heaven for couples: a unique, tranquil Cornish site where guests reconnect with nature in a secret lakeside location. Guests have exclusive use of this solitary hideaway, with far-reaching views across the wild heaths of Bodmin Moor.
Nearby attractions

There are stacks of things to do locally if the mood takes you: be it exploring the 17,000+ unspoiled acres of Bodmin Moor, pockmarked by treeless heaths and bogs, or visiting historic Restormel Castle (0370 333 1181) for a picnic with 360-degree views of the Cornish countryside and the River Fowey. For something a little more adventurous head to Adrenalin Quarry (01579 308204) and soar 50-metres above a flooded quarry at heart-pumping speeds, or join the South West Coast Path and take in some of the most spectacular sections of the English coastline.

Food and drink

When you arrive there will be a welcome pack of essentials, but please remember that given the sites remote location, the nearest shop is 8 miles away. It is highly recommended you bring supplies or use Rupert and Fran’s food service, where shopping can be pre-ordered to be waiting upon your arrival. There is no electric fridge, however a cage (which hangs off the jetty) keeps milk, margarine and beers cool. Local pubs – relatively speaking – include the cosy St Tudy Inn (01208 850656) and the Blisland Inn; winner of CAMRA's National Pub of the Year.

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