Meet Rachael, who – along with brother Matt – runs Ekopod – a family and pet-friendly glampsite featuring beautifully appointed geodomes, glamping tents and a holiday cottage, privately nestled in secluded farmland on the edge of Bodmin Moor.
Rachael and Matt at the Cornwall Tourism Awards
What first inspired you to create Ekopod as a retreat?
I (Rachael) run Ekopod with my brother Matt. Our move into glamping was inspired by 2014 backpacking travel where we attempted to get to Australia without flying. Part of the journey involved wild camping in Russia and staying in yurts in Mongolia. We were blown away by the sense of wonder and adventure that living so close to nature can create. So, we came back determined to create an experience in the UK that could try and capture that magic, for our guests. Once back we took three years of careful research to find the perfect spot.
One of the yurts Rachael and Matt stayed in in Mongolia
Have you always been in hospitality? If not, what else did / do you do?
Yes I have now been working for 19 years in hospitality and managed an independent hospitality group in Bristol for nearly ten years before taking over Ekopod. I also spent two years as the vice- chair of the hotelier’s association in Bristol. My brother Matt was also working in Bristol as a restaurant manager for years before we took over Ekopod. So, we already knew it was something we loved!
What’s the best thing about being the owner of Ekopod?
We love being in a business that creates core memories for our guests! We’ve had first holidays, proposals, honeymoons, and all kinds of things celebrated here.
We also love having a business that allows us to work closely with nature. Improving the biodiversity here on site is one of our key aims and it’s lovely to be able to have a business where we are able to achieve this.
Ekopod taking shape
What’s your favourite feature of the retreat?
The views from the units, they’re all so pretty in different ways. There’s something so relaxing about sitting in one of the hanging chairs next to the wood burner, listening to birdsong and watching how the light changes the landscape throughout the day.
What do you love about the local area?
The stars on a clear night. We’re on the edge of Bodmin Moor which has international dark skies status. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen them they never fail to take my breath away! Also all our gorgeous beaches and the amazing sea pool at Bude. I also love seeing the millions of starlings performing their murmurations in winter. There are so many things I could go on forever!
Safari tent at night
What’s next for Ekopod?
We’ve just created a new pizza oven area and now we’re working on plans for a wild spa area..
If you couldn’t stay at your place, where would your ideal holiday be?
Something similar, where I can have space to be in nature with my partner Ben, our daughter Lyra and our dogs! So we’ve done lots of glamping holidays as a family!
Al fresco pizza feast
Sum up Ekopod in three words.
Relaxing, Beautiful, Peaceful
If you were visiting, how would you spend a day at Ekopod?
I would order one of our hampers for the morning and enjoy an alfresco breakfast. Then I would head over to the moor for a hike up Brown Willy – the highest point in Cornwall – or visit Tintagel Castle. I’d then stop at one of the many farm shops for lunch on the way to Bude to enjoy a sunset swim in the sea pool. I’d then finish with making a pizza in our new pizza oven followed by a long bath with a glass of wine looking up at the stars.
An evening dip in the outdoor bath tub
Find out more about Ekopod via their Host Unusual listing below!
