A luxury yurt village on the north Cornish coast takes glamping to the next level.
Words by Hannah Tapping
The Park, Cornwall is an exclusive five-star luxury holiday park just yards from Mawgan Porth beach, set in 27 acres of tranquil gardens. The holiday accommodation is nestled in a secret valley where luxury lodges, cosy cottages and stunning park cabins make for a huge choice when it comes to choosing your holiday accommodation – more than half of which are dog friendly with enclosed gardens to keep yours safe and sound.
However, for those looking for a more traditional experience, The Park’s yurt village offers the perfect balance of luxury and natural surroundings. Mongolian shepherds have made yurts their homes for over 2,000 years, such is their versatility, being able to be put up and taken down in a matter of hours. Traditional yurts are made from a round wooden frame with canvas stretched roofs and The Park is no exception, giving them a wonderfully authentic atmosphere and the round room exuding a sense of calm. Having undergone a recent makeover, all of the yurts now have underfloor heating, double-glazed windows and wood burners, meaning they are suitable for year round stays. Each has a stunning bespoke wooden front door carefully crafted by a local carpenter. Imagine coming back from a blustery winter beach walk and hunkering down in front of the fire in your own special space, or visit the communal yurt at the heart of this coastal village which offers sink-into sofas and a place to get to know friends old and new.
There is a spacious communal country-style cookhouse with individual fridges for each yurt, as well as a microwave and a full-size range cooker. This is a great space for guests to cook up a feast from some locally caught or grown ingredients sourced from Cornwall’s burgeoning larder. You can even order a grocery box from the Cornish Food Box Co. – delivered to your yurt so you have all you need for your stay and packed full of local ingredients and produce. When the weather’s dry, even in the colder months, the fire pit and clay oven are great for outdoor feasts or sundowners with a stunning backdrop and views of the valley, while the communal hot tub is ideal for that little bit of luxury as the warm waters soothe the body and soul. A pair of Shepherd’s huts house the communal bathroom and toilet facilities and there’s even a laundry room with a washer and dryer so that you don’t have to return home with a case full of laundry. The magical, fairy tale-like yurt village is a unique glamping experience, where you can expect to wake up in beautiful, secluded surroundings after a cosy night’s sleep in a super-comfortable bed. The sleep-two yurts are intimate, cosy spaces while the sleep-four has plenty of space for a family.
With breathtaking beaches on your doorstep, guests in the yurt village are welcomed to enjoy the on-site facilities across The Park as well. An indoor swimming pool with sauna and steam room are a place to retreat on bad-weather days, while the outdoor swimming pool (open from April to September) and outdoor children’s play areas are a great place to play and let off some steam! When you’ve worked up an appetite, The Kitchen by the Beach serves hearty Cornish breakfasts, lunch and dinner favourites, as well as a special menu for the little ones. The Sunday roasts are renowned and deserve a leisurely long lunch, be that with family or friends.
The Park, Cornwall is the perfect base for exploring the wider north Cornwall coast. It sits midway between Padstow and Newquay, each offering a great day out. Newquay, having shaken off its ‘party town’ reputation, is now home to a unique range of cafés, restaurants and boutique shops. Nalu coffee house is a favourite for wraps, rolls and bowls of healthy goodness. The Fish House Fistral serves up the local catch landed at Newquay harbour. Chef Proprietor Paul Harwood, learned his skills working for Rick Stein for 14 years, and brings his own take on seafood to the shores of Fistral beach. Roo’s Beach at Porth is an independent fashion and lifestyle emporium that really is worth a visit and with a coffee shop next door you can get both your shopping and caffeine fix all in one go.
For the little ones, Newquay Zoo is home to some of the world’s most amazing animals, from lemurs and lynx to marmoset and meerkats, a happy day can be spent meandering from the penguin pool to the tropical house. Or for exploration of a more historic nature, the National Trust’s Trerice House invites a journey through history in the Elizabethan manor house or a stroll through the small, but perfectly formed, garden.
Head north and Padstow embraces visitors with open arms. Foodie outlets galore include favourites such as Prawn on the Lawn, Paul Ainsworth’s Caffé Rojano and of course Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant. Its narrow winding street, with an eclectic mix of shops, lead to the harbour from where you can catch the ferry over to Rock for a day on the sand or a pint at The Mariners. Fancy something a bit more active? The Camel Trail runs from Padstow to Wadebridge and takes in stunning views of the Camel Estuary.
If your idea of a heavenly stay is to arrive at your yurt, park the car and not return to it until you leave then you’re in luck. The South West Coast Path is literally on the doorstep and gives access on foot in both directions to spectacular scenery and secret coves. A stay here provides a holiday that ticks every box. From family breaks to gatherings of friends, romantic retreats, and weddings, The Park, Cornwall has everything you need for a memorable getaway… you can truly make yourself at home.
theparkcornwall.com