What the papers say about glamping at Tehidy Holiday Park in Cornwall

Glamping for beginners

I’M NO particular fan of ‘glamping’ – not least as a wordsmith railing  against an obnoxious trend (glamorous camping, geddit?).

As a concept, such glam accommodation can boast so many creature comforts it’s almost like being at, uh,  home, somewhat defeating the purpose of getting out into nature, and about as  far from roughing it as The Dorchester.

It can also seem to cost nearly as much.

And although the nosediving economy – and middle-class pretensions towards  ‘greener’ hols (staycation, grrr) – have seen camping rocket in popularity, it  can be a step too far – outside to the loo, for example – for many (says the man  who years ago abandoned sleeping under canvas for the relative comfort of a now   30-year-old rusty campervan).

However, I think Tehidy Holiday Park has pitched it just right with its  chalet-style wigwams – not as primitive as their Native American bark or  hide-covered namesakes, but solid, basic, cosy and affordable.

The covered porch is welcome when it pours incessantly like the weekend Miss  Eight, Master 11 and I stayed at the award-laden park in the Tolskithy valley at  Illogan, between Redruth and the sea.

Tardis-like, the interior can comfortably accommodate a family as a roomy  daytime space or five-bed platform at night.

Again toeing a fine line, the microwave, kettle, fridge and flat-screen TV,  as well as plenty of indoor (ie, DRY) storage space, combine and contrast  perfectly with the rustic, covered cooking shelter (for your own cooker), sturdy  barbecue, clean and bright toilet and washing-facilities and indoor washing up area.

Outdoors, the tranquil setting couldn’t be more of a delight on many levels.  Since swapping his Norfolk head teacher’s office for a new lifestyle in 2007,  adventurous owner Richard Barnes and his family do not seem to have put a foot  wrong at the site they instantly fell in love with.

Their commitment to detail and particularly natural splendour and  appreciation have seen four-star Tehidy Park showered with awards and accolades,  topped by Practical Motorhome magazine’s Best Small Site in the UK 2012,  including recognition from Cornwall Tourism  Awards, AA and Enjoy England.

Recently they have added the Alan Rogers European Award –  the only site in  UK to be nominated in it by their inspectors, also  the  fifth David Bellamy  Gold Conservation Award in a row.  This year Practical Motorhome voted Tehidy Park best family  site,  and the park was also Practical Motorhome regional winner  in the top 100  sites in UK 2013.

Among the comfortably spaced-apart cottages, caravans and camping areas  nestle shady trees, subtropical plants and borders and patches bursting with  wildflowers, attracting all manner of wildlife to the gently sloping site.

Features too numerous to mention include a shop/off-licence, stocked games  room, launderette, picnic benches and children’s play area which overjoyed my two with its  in-ground trampoline, table tennis, grassy expanse and wooden climbing  frame.

Beyond its borders, I suspect few rivals can boast their own streamside  stroll, a gentle amble through thick woodland starting and ending at the park,  and a handy shortcut to the pub.

With easy access to the Mineral Tramway cycle trail and woodsy two-mile walk  both leading to Portreath, its beach beckons, and swimming pools, shopping,  dining and other conveniences and leisure pursuits are all within a short  drive.

Taken all together, it’s like a playground designed by Mother Nature, but  with all the trappings of modern life within easy reach and hosts who bend over  backwards to keep their guests happy.

And after an intrepid exploration in the rain, we couldn’t be more pleased to  return to the heated wooden wigwam to snuggle up with a hot cuppa without having  to traipse back and forth through the wet.

It also opens up the great outdoors to early and late-season enjoyment.

The unique layout made bedding down for the night an adventure in itself, and  waking to the stunning views and sounds of the Cornish countryside struck the  perfect balance for anyone keen on the outdoors – glamorous or  not.