Creepy Tales from Cornwall

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Family Fun,Mythology,Sea No Comments Beersheba Farm - Glamping - Halloween - Spooky Stories - St Ives - Wildflower Wood

Creepy Tales from Cornwall

As Halloween approaches, it’s time for spooky stories around the fire. We’ve been sitting in the wood after dark, sharing creepy tales about Cornish myths and mysteries. Here are a few of our favourites…

Lost at sea

The coast around West Cornwall is a wild and dangerous place, and with so many lives lost at sea, we’re not surprised that there are so many reports of hauntings. There are tales of bells tolling inland to warn of impending doom at sea, of ghostly lights on clifftops, of the sound of barrels being dragged by long-dead smugglers…

One of our favourite Cornish ghost stories is the ship that sails close to Porthcurno, before vanishing like smoke in the mist. The ghost ship has been sailing by Porthcurno since the seventeenth century, and has also been spotted further west along the coast. Read more chilling tales from Bays of the Dead if you dare!

Local sea myths to explore include the famous Mermaid of Zennor (look out for her carving in the village church) and Morgawr, a terrifying water monster whose name translates as “sea giant”.

Spooky tip: explore the creepy caves at Porthgwarra, and visit the old coastal churches and engine houses that are dotted around the Penwith peninsula.

Wreck of the Jeune Hortense 1888, in front of St Michael’s Mount

Myths on the moors

Moors are naturally places of legends, and our local landscape is no exception. Around Beersheba, our moors are said to be the haunt of giants.

A (very) local legend is that Cormoran had an ongoing battle with a giant from nearby Trencrom. They threw boulders at each other, which still litter the landscape, including the stone at our neighbouring Standing Stones Stables. Cormoran eventually met his match, when he was defeated by Jack the Giant Killer and imprisoned in a well on St Michael’s Mount.

Spooky tip: Walk in the steps of giants. Hike the St Michael’s Way, which you can pick up at Beersheba and takes you over Trencrom to the Mount. Or, take a drive to Cornwall’s most famous moor, Bodmin, home to the legendary Beast and the super-spooky Jamaica Inn.

Sketch of the Cornish Knockers by Marc Potts

Sounds underground…

One of the most hair-raising hauntings in West Cornwall happens underground, in the old mines. The knockers are small, human-like figures who live in the mines – (see the Knockers beautifully brought to life by Marc Potts illustrations here). They’re either very specific members of the faerie clan or the ghosts of dead miners, depending on whose version you read.

The knockers also vary in character from mine to mine and story to story. Sometimes they’re benevolent, knocking to warn of danger or to lead miners to rich seams of tin. In some legends, they’re the ones that cause the danger, by knocking away the supports. Occasionally, they’re simply mischievous, blowing out candles and stealing miners’ crowst (food).

Whichever version you believe, the idea of ghostly knocking underground is enough to keep you safely on grass (the surface) forever! The miners knew to respect the knockers, leaving them bits of pasty as a practical insurance policy against harm.

Spooky tip: take the underground tour at Geevor Tin Mine. You may not encounter a knocker, but you’ll experience first-hand the dark, dank atmosphere of the old mines.

Holidays in spooky St Ives

If you’re coming to St Ives this autumn, make sure you take a walk through our town after dark. With its cobbled lanes, narrow passageways and old fishing cellars, St Ives is a spooky place… To find out more about the ghosts of St Ives, book your place on one of Shanty Baba’s famous lantern ghost walks.

Come and stay in Brea Cottage this autumn or winter. Shut out the moors, huddle up to the wood burner, and share some scary stories…

Glamping – the evolution of camping

04Sep

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Family Fun,Glamping No Comments Glamping

GLAMPING – THE EVOLUTION

Glamping is the best of both worlds: you’re close to nature, but still surrounded by those lovely home comforts.

As we celebrate the launch of two more eco glamping Landpods here at Beersheba, we take a look how the camping holiday has evolved into today’s glamping experience.

What is glamping?

The word “glamping” is a fusion of “glamorous” and “camping”. The word itself first appeared in 2005, and made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016. It’s a bit of a funny term, as arguably, a luxurious motorhome is far more glam than a tipi in a field, but it’s come to mean a holiday under canvas (or similar) where comfort is as important as adventure.

One of the wonderful things about glamping is that you arrive at your accommodation, and you don’t have to tow it behind you or cram it into the boot. Like a holiday cottage, your glamping home-from-home is ready-assembled and waiting for you after your journey. Bliss.

Glamping in western history

When medieval monarchs and noblemen went into battle, they took their miniature palaces with them. The king had to be surrounded by the trappings of majesty even on the frontline. Beds, the finest goblets and plates, and even tapestries were packed up and re-assembled.

Henry VIII, never the most shy and retiring man, used his spectacular glamping set-up to impress the French at a summit in Calais in 1520. The English campsite made such an impression that the event became known as the “Field of the Cloth of Gold” after Henry’s tents.

The instinct to recreate home, even under adverse conditions, continued to be strong. Later western explorers and wealthy early tourists went for the “everything but the scullery sink” approach when staying under canvas.

Today’s holidays borrow more from traditional tribal yurts and tipis than historic glamping. A lot of this is aesthetic: luxurious rugs and blankets, simple wooden furnishings, camp fires… It’s also practical, as nomadic tribes know how to keep warm and comfortable in the outdoors, while leaving no trace of their presence when they pack up. That’s what we’re aiming for at Beersheba.

Glamping as we know it

Today’s glamping began to evolve in the noughties, when people began to seek out holidays in the great outdoors. Staying in a pod or a yurt or a cabin or even a tree house was an appealingly different approach to the classic tent or caravan experience.

Unlike camping, there’s little investment with a glamping holiday. You don’t have to own your accommodation; you simply stay in it. However, unlike a conventional holiday home, you’re closer to nature, and have that wonderful sense of freedom that an outdoor-based holiday brings.

And of course, you’re very, very comfortable. Individual glamping experiences define comfort differently. This could be the cosiness of a faux fur-lined tipi with a wood burner or a modern pod with state-of-the-art memory foam mattresses and superb WiFi. All have something in common: their natural setting.

Eco glamping: the next level

Today’s glampers are often seeking a greener holiday with as little impact upon the environment as possible. At Beersheba, we offer eco-glamping holidays. You have everything you need and you’re comfy in our Landpods, while at the same time you’re treading lightly upon the earth.

Each Landpod has access to its own waterless toilet and hot shower (private facilities are often one of the things that set glamping and camping apart) as well as a covered outdoor kitchen & dining space, complete with fairy lights. The LED lights in the pod are off-grid, as is that essential USB charger. If we were to pack up our Landpods tomorrow (which we won’t!), there would be no sign they’d ever been there.

Glamping in Wildflower Wood

If you want to know more about our Cornish eco glamping experience and our fabulous new Landpods, please get in touch with us at Beersheba.

LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND Part 1

19Jun

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cycling,Family Fun,Glamping,Sea,Surfing,Watersports No Comments cycling - Glamping - Leave the car - Sea - SUP - Surfing

NO-CAR WAYS TO GET AROUND

Next time you’re on holiday in Cornwall, take a break from the car, too, and try a few different ways to explore the county.

The fun alternatives to four wheels include pedal power, a set of hooves or a pair of stout boots. Here’s the first instalment of Beersheba’s guide to getting around Cornwall without a car.

Pop on a bike

As you read in our previous blog, Beersheba now has two new hybrid electric bikes, which are available for our glampsite guests to hire. If you’ve never tried an electric hybrid bike before, trust us, they’re awesome. Hills have never been so easy.

If our bikes are booked and you’d rather not bring your own, there are several cycle hire places near St Ives. Try St Ives eBikes or for pedal power, Lands End Cycle Hire has a good choice.

If you want to make a real outing of it, try one of West Cornwall’s beautiful cycle routes, including The Cornish Way.

Take the train

The closest station to Beersheba is Carbis Bay (near the beach). From here, you can take the branch line train to the main line hub at St Erth, or go in the other direction towards St Ives.

This short stretch of rail is often voted the prettiest in Britain, and you can see why. If you embark at St Erth, it runs right along the coast, taking in Hayle estuary, the sand dunes, and the sweep of tree-fringed beaches towards St Ives. The station in St Ives is just above Porthminster Beach: you couldn’t arrive in a lovelier spot.

Taking the train into town really cuts down on the strain of parking in summertime St Ives. Find out more on the Devon & Cornwall Rail website.

By water

Less of a practical suggestion and more of a fun idea, you can also explore the Cornish coast by sea. Pop down to Ocean Sports on Carbis Bay Beach to hire a kayak or SUP (maybe try the MegaSUP which takes the whole family), and see the bay from a whole new angle.

Learn to surf or brush up your skills at St Ives Surf School on Porthmeor Beach. Prefer to be a passenger? Catch the Dolly P out towards Seal Island.

If you’d like to find out more, or hire a Beersheba e-bike for your stay here, please drop us a line.

Ebike hire at Wildflower Wood

25Mar

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Cycling,Family Fun,Glamping No Comments adventures - cycling - ebike - electric bike

E-XPLORE ON TWO WHEELS

How does this sound: setting out from Wildflower Wood for a cycling adventure in the Cornish countryside? We’re so excited to introduce Beersheba’s latest eco venture: electric bike hire.

Wildflower Wood is now the proud owner of two new hybrid electric bikes, available for our glampsite guests to hire.

You’ll now be able to enjoy the gorgeous Cornish cycle routes without having to bring your own bike on holiday, and because you can reserve them straight from us, you won’t even have to find a hire shop.

The two bikes have been funded by the European Regional Development Fund* (ERDF) Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Kickstart Grant Scheme. They’re supplied by the fabulous Top Gear Ltd based in Penryn.

And we’re delighted with the models that Top Gear have provided. The Kalkhoff Endeavour 3 B8 is a hybrid electric bike. This popular model has a large 500w Bosch in-frame battery, letting you cycle for longer on a charge. If you’ve never ridden an e-bike before, get ready for a pleasant surprise when you first cycle up a hill! Extra features include LED lights, a Sports Comfort saddle and a Bosch LCD display on the handlebars.

Even better, the bikes have rack cargo bags so you can pick a picnic before heading out along the lanes and cycle trails. You don’t have to bring any cycling-specific equipment with you on holiday, as we’ll provide helmets and locks, and even local maps.

So, leave your car at Beersheba for the day and explore Cornwall on two wheels for a change. Our new bike hire scheme also makes it easier to travel to Wildflower Wood by public transport (we’re a mile from the bus stop and there’s a branch line train to Carbis Bay).

The beaches at Carbis Bay, St Ives and Hayle are within easy cycling distance. There are also some great dedicated cycle routes in West Cornwall, including The Cornish Way to Land’s End, which is part of National Cycle Network 3.

Pedal power appeals to us at Beersheba. We’ve made sure that everything about our glampsite is kind to the environment; and our new eco-friendly transport is yet another way to take holidays along a greener route.

Just imagine, out in the fresh air after all these long months, travelling through the beautiful West Cornish landscape with a pasty in your saddle bag… Why drive when you can cycle?

Beersheba’s bikes are ready and waiting to be booked by guests (minimum rider age 18 yrs) from 1 May. Hire prices are £30 for one day or £50 for two days per bike. If you’d like to know more about our glampsite’s eco bike hire, please get in touch with us.

*European Regional Development Fund

The project has received £4701.66 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more info visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Sunrise in Wildflower Wood Rejuvenate in 2021

Rejuvenate this New Year

31Dec

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Family Fun,Glamping,Sea No Comments Beersheba Farm - Eco-friendly - Farm Stays - Forest Bathing - Glamping - outdoor cooking - Sea - wild swimming - Wildflower Wood

REJUVENATE THIS NEW YEAR

The best way to refresh and rejuvenate in 2021 will be in the fresh air. Simply being outside is the new going out (and staying in). At Beersheba, we definitely plan to embrace this advice, and spend as much time in the great outdoors as we can.

Bringing the Inside Out

When we first set up our glamping Landpods in Wildflower Woods, we wanted our guests to be able to do everything they do indoors, outdoors. From showering to family feasts, you can have the full holiday experience under the leafy canopy.

You can easily swap your entire indoor existence for a life outdoors. While you’re in West Cornwall, switch indoor-based hobbies for new outdoor ones. Try cycling, running, hiking or horse riding, and we can recommend the best places and providers for all of these.

It may have become one of the great cliches of 2020; however, nature is healing. Breathe in the ozoney hit from the ocean combined with the ever-changing scents of the woods, and you’ll know exactly what we mean. Here’s the Beersheba guide to a rejuvenating 2021 in the Cornish open air.

Forest Bathing

The Japanese theory of shinrin yoku, forest bathing, reached us Brits a few years ago. You simply spend time in the woods, breathing in the woody, musty and zesty-green scents while quietly observing and listening out for the wildlife around you. Of course, we’ve always known that trees have a calming quality, but it’s nice to put a name to it.

Cornwall isn’t famous for its forests. We may not have as many places to forest bathe as sea swim; however, there are lots of accessible woods across the county. As a family, we regularly go to Tehidy Woods near Pool, which has a choice of easy-to-navigate trails and Cornwall’s cheekiest squirrels. Closer to home, Steeple Woods above St Ives gives you stunning views across the bay, or take the short drive to Gulval near Penzance for locals’ favourite walking spot, Trevaylor Woods.

If a walk in the wood soothes the spirit, how about a whole holiday under the canopy? Our eco glamping pods place you right in the heart of the woodlands. Every rustle, every hoot, every snapping twig is an experience to be immersed in and enjoyed.

Wild(ish) Food

You can go the full wild and book onto a foraging tour. Or in season, take a fishing trip from St Ives and grill your own catch in the fire pit. There’s nothing like freshly caught mackerel, barbecued near the sea. Or you can do what we do: shop at the local farm shops and fishmongers, then cook outdoors. One of the best bits about forest glamping is having your morning cuppa outside, watching the sun rise through the leaves. You might even glimpse a shy deer…

Cooking near the Landpods always felt really important to us. The cosy conviviality of a campfire meal appeals to something in all of us. We set up fire pits, and graduated to fire pits plus cooking areas with worktops and stoves. The camp kitchens are undercover, so a bit of Cornish mizzle needn’t mean the end of cooking.

But don’t feel pressured to be the cook on the wild side. Grab a takeout coffee and drink it on Porthminster Beach. Eat a pasty on the coast path. Order a pizza to come to your glamping pod and eat it sitting on a log. As the Famous Five kids told us in almost every book, food always tastes better when it’s eaten outdoors.

Vitamin Sea

Wild swimming became popular during 2020, possibly because most pools were closed, or maybe because of the feeling of freedom it imparts. Communities of swimmers expanded or sprung into life in 2020. Try Porthminster Beach, Battery Rocks (Penzance) or go for full immersion at the much-loved naturist spot, Pedn Vounder near Porthcurno (please check tide times). At Beersheba, we’re just a mile and a half from the Blue Flag beach at Carbis Bay. Even if you don’t want to swim, its Mediterranean-esque setting sets the soul sparkling (and there are great places to eat and drink on the beach…).

The local lidos kept us all going in 2020, and we hope they’ll continue to flourish. Penzance’s architecturally perfect Art Deco lido, the Jubilee Pool, has become a must-visit place for those in search of a refreshing treat. They have recently added a geothermal spa pool, heated naturally, and gently steaming in the bracing Cornish air. Recommended. Closer to Beersheba, the unassuming and friendly Hayle lido is another favourite place for a swim and chill.

For an indoor dip, Una St Ives is a high-end holiday resort that’s just a ten-minute walk from Beersheba. There’s a swimming pool and spa that welcomes day members, as well as a lovely bar and restaurant. (And you get the child-like excitement of the torchlit walk back in the evening.)

Underneath the Stars

Then it’s nighttime, and this is when the real outdoor magic happens. There’s the glow of the campfire, which appeals to the ancestor in all of us, against the background blackness of the woods. When it’s time for bed, the cosiness of your tent or (if you’re staying at Beersheba) Landpod contrasts with the shadowy, nighttime outside.

It’s probably on many of those “must-do-bucket-list” type articles to sleep under the stars, at least once. Yes, you can find a bivvy bag and an accommodating farmer and spend a night beneath the open sky. I have to confess that we went for a comfier version when we commissioned our glamping pods: simply raise the outside flap and clip it up, and the side of the pod opens out. You can lie in the comfort of your own bed, gazing out at the dark canopy and the distant lights.

If you’re staying in Brea Cottage, delay bedtime. Switch on the hot tub and lie back in the gently bubbling water (ideally with a lightly bubbly drink), enjoying the darkness of the rural night. Fascinating fact: hot tub sales rose by 1000% in 2020 in the UK, and we completely understand this.

Get in Touch

If you like the idea of unwinding in the woodlands, or relaxing in our cosy cottage, please get in touch with us at Beersheba, St Ives.

The Landpods have landed in St Ives!

07Aug

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Family Fun,Glamping No Comments Beersheba Farm - Cornwall - Eco-friendly - Farm Stays - Forest Bathing - Glamping - Landpods - St Ives - Wildflower Wood

THE LANDPODS HAVE LANDED IN ST IVES!

There is a special little pocket of wild woodland at Beersheba Farm, St Ives. On a hill, overlooking St Ives Bay, with views towards Godrevy Lighthouse, it’s a peaceful setting for a new eco-glamping adventure – Wildflower Wood.

Owner Andrew is opening an off-grid, low impact, family-friendly site, where the guests can stay in one of his fantastic Landpods. “It’s a special place where you can get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. You are surrounded by the woodland and farm wildlife – even shy deer visit from time to time.

“The Landpods are brilliant as they don’t disturb the protected woodland. They are carried in by foot, sitting on little legs & pads. They are assembled in situ and can sit quite happily under the trees without impacting them,” he added. “Other than tackling some vulnerable deadwood, the site preparation around the pods is minimal”.

Although off-grid, the Landpods have LED lighting (and can also charge mobile devices), are well insulated, have comfortable mattresses and can sleep a family of up to 5 in comfort. Kids absolutely love the bottom double bunk whilst the adults get a roomy top double bed. The L-shaped sofa seating also can be used as an extra bed. The unique roll back roof can open to reveal the sea views glimpsed through the trees from the beds!

Wildflower Wood enjoying marshmallows

Each pod has been named after local landmarks that form part of the stunning bay view. Godrevy is the lighthouse across the sea, Gwithian is the popular surfing and world-class windsurfing beach, Towans is the Cornish word for dunes that sit along the bay from Gwithian to Carbis Bay.

An outdoor kitchen area, picnic table and fire pit is provided for each Landpod. It’s an antidote to modern living – where the space and peace of relaxing, cooking and eating surrounded by the trees really nourishes the soul. “We have some fun forest challenges for the children and they just love making up woodland games and exploring. At the end of the day there’s nothing like sitting around the fire to unwind as the sun sets through the trees. The kids can test out their fire building skills and toast marshmallows.” said Andrew.

Bathrooms with Swedish waterless toilets

The site facilities are also off-grid. There are state of the art Swedish waterless toilets and waterless urinals, low energy lighting and water saving gas powered hot showers. Eco-friendly toiletries and loo paper are provided. Andrew’s wife and interior designer Vicki has helped with the design, “We don’t want to sacrifice comfort, but everything has been planned to minimise any impact on the woodland environment and designed as sustainably as possible.”

Wildflower Wood at Beersheba Farm is between St Ives and Hayle, just a mile from the sea. Surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, kite-surfing, rock-pooling, building sandcastles or just sunbathing on the golden sands are all available nearby – there is something for everyone in this beautiful Cornish bay.

This unique holiday experience doesn’t stop there. Standing Stone Stables also offers pony treks around the farm and through the woodland for guests. Beersheba Farm has excellent routes for walkers – the South West Coast Path is just a mile away and St Michael’s Way adjoins the farm, linking the north Cornish coast at Lelant to the south coast and St Michael’s Mount at Marazion.

Wildflower Wood cooking

Cyclists can enjoy a variety of coastal routes in West Cornwall such as the Coast to Coast trail, the Penzance to Marazion trail or the Camel Trail to Padstow. Guests are encouraged to arrive by public transport. The nearby Carbis Bay bus and rail links beyond Cornwall and to St Ives are excellent. The closest beach at Carbis Bay is walkable (1.5 miles down a hill). Bedding is provided and cooking equipment can be hired so that guests can travel light.

Wildflower Wood is open until the autumn – book online here.

Spring into family fun in St Ives

29Mar

Posted by Vicki Jelbert Cornwall,Family Fun No Comments art - Easter - Eden Project - family - fun - Minack Theatre - Rogue Theatre - St Ives - Tate

SPRING INTO FAMILY FUN IN ST IVES

Cornwall really bursts into life in spring, and there are loads of fantastic family friendly holiday activities in and around St Ives. Get the most out of your stay in St Ives with our favourite activities:

Looking for a scenic and exciting egg hunt? The National Trust and Cadbury team up for their Easter trails (6/7 – 22 April), follow the clues to get your tasty Easter treat. Our favourites are Trelissick and Godolphin for gorgeous gardens, and Trengwainton and St Michael’s Mount for stunning scenery. Or just head to Marazion beach to look for special dragon’s eggs amongst all the pebbles. If you want to have your own trail on the farm you can roam around the fields and the woods and look for spring treasures on your doorstep!

Easter at Eden

The best family days out! The Eden Project never fails to entertain in the school holidays and this Easter (6-25 April), you can go Down on the Farm and enjoy lots of indoor and outdoor games and activities, story telling, the Great Eden Egg Hunt and trails for the whole family, in their farm-themed Easter event. In Hayle, at Paradise Park, you can get close to goats, rabbits, mini sheep and donkeys in their fun farm field, be a Wildlife Hero or enjoy the Easter Golden Egg Challenge (6-22 April), and the race around indoor soft play area – the Jungle Barn.

Why not get creative? If you want to get more hands on with chocolate – try a fun Chocolate Workshop at Coco Kitchen with St Ives’s very own artisan chocolatier. Or get messy with clay at the Leach Pottery who run clay days for 6-12 year olds on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the school holidays. At Tate St Ives children can get hands on with Tate Create and explore the exhibition by Anna Boghiguian before making their own art figure.

Get out on the coast path – with the gorse and daffodils bursting into colour and the warm spring sunshine its a great time to walk and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery. This spring there have been regular dolphin sightings, even a humpback whale being spotted in St Ives Bay, so make sure you have your binoculars and get out early to get the best chance. Seals love the sunshine and from the clifftops at Godrevy Point you can see crowds of them peacefully sunbathing in the coves below.

Rogue Theatre March Hare

Get in the water!! With the warm spring sunshine its a great time to take to the water – stand up paddle boarding or kayaking from Carbis Bay beach, or surfing at Gwithian or Porthmeor are all fantastic fun and just minutes away – remember (or hire!) your wetsuit!

Have a bit of drama in your holiday! The famous, award-winning Rogue Theatre’s Wild Spring Hare (12-22 April) takes you on a magical journey of immersive outdoor theatre through the wild wood to the Woodland King. Or the Minack Theatre, with its spectacular clifftop setting has family friendly shows throughout the school holidays with the highly enjoyable Squashbox Theatre (Mon/Weds am – book in advance – for younger children), and this Easter are showing Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.

Family Fun