We'd never tried Glamping before (that's 'Glam camping') but thought we'd like to do something a bit different so opted for a four-night stay in a yurt in Cornwall. Pictures of the plains of Mongolia sprang to mind, but East Thorne Farm turned out to have a snug little campsite with nine yurts spread out over the area, each with their own outdoor decking and kitchen area, and with plenty of room in between. First impressions were fantastic as we were met by the very friendly Naomi, who runs the site with her husband Adam: she gave us a quick tour of the facilities and the yurt – the main thing to remember is to keep your head down on entering as the door is painfully low – and then left us to it. It didn't take long to explore the yurt – after all, it is only one living space – but it came with everything you could wish for: a power supply, light, wi-fi, comfy bed with crisp fresh linen, logburner with a supply of kindling and logs, crockery and cutlery, outside bbq, cooker and fridge. And the on-site facilities were immaculate: spotless wash rooms and showers, outside dish-washing area, laundry room and pool room above. There was plenty for younger visitors with a play area and cuddly farm animals to meet, and a central campfire area (with the fire lit most nights) for anyone who wanted to gather round and end the day with a bit of friendly conversation. What we liked was the space within the yurt, the cosy feel (even with the rain lashing down one night the woodburner quickly heated the yurt and the felt insulation kept us nice and snug), lying in bed and looking at the stars at night through the central roof window, and the fun of camping without much of the pain. There was nothing we didn't like – except maybe bashing our heads on the doorway when we forgot to duck, and the walk to the toilets in the middle of the night – but that is part and parcel of camping, however glam. The situation was lovely – a quiet piece of farmland, with the sea just a few miles away and the local village of Kilkhampton offering essential food supplies. But what made it special were the little details, such as the range of oils, spices and basics in the reception area – free to take and replace if you'd forgotten something – and the herb area where you were able to pick anything you needed. It was warm and welcoming, and we enjoyed four days of fantastic weather, a relaxing break from the hassle of normal life. If mobility is a problem then glamping probably isn't for you, but we found it a very comfortable way to spend a few days chilling out. This is only Naomi and Adam's second year of running the yurts but we reckon they're onto a winner, and we'll be back. Highly recommended.
