Little Menherion

Indulge your soul and senses in a refreshing ‘wildcation', sustainably set within a tranquil, wildlife-steeped Cornish valley on the edge of a World Heritage site.

Friendly owners Huw and Bernice affectionately refer to their glorious 12-acre smallholding as ‘Little M'.  But after you've stayed there yourself, you may well refer to it as ‘a slice of natural paradise'.

Certainly, it's hard to imagine a lovelier setting for your wildcation (that's Huw and Bernice's definition of an adventurous-yet-cosy break amongst nature).  

Part of a rugged, wildlife-steeped valley in the middle of a designated Area of Great Landscape Value, Little M is also on the edge of a World Heritage Site, gently elevated in the picturesque heart of West Cornwall.

Your wildcation will begin just as soon as you've left the main road, with half-a-mile of unmade track (better leave the fancy sports car at home!) that compels you to enter the slow lane before you've even arrived.  

When you do, you'll be surrounded by lush, soft grass, diverse flora and fauna, and idyllic meadow-and-country views strewn with birds, bees, and butterflies. Bliss.

Here, you can choose your favourite sustainable couple's retreat from Log Jam, a dreamy cabin built with a team of volunteers, or Round n Round, a stylish roundhouse crafted in collaboration with a local carpenter.

Whichever you opt for, you can snuggle on a squishy leather sofa inside, or a hammock-for-two outside, where you'll also find a wild jacuzzi and al fresco seating. Round n Round boasts two cosy armchairs and Log Jam an intimate swing seat, both out on their generous decks that are perfect for stargazing... on a clear night, you may even catch a glimpse of a shooting star.

Aside from the obligatory wildlife-watching, you'll have books, games, and a DAB radio on hand for entertainment (Log Jam also features an old-fashioned typewriter, to help you indulge that long-lost creative spirit!)

Meanwhile, generous facilities include a piping hot instant shower with Faith in Nature toiletries, a luxurious compost loo, and a fully-equipped kitchen... though you may prefer cooking outside on the firepit, especially as the sun begins its glorious descent behind the trees.

At the end of the day, all that's left to do is curl up in your kingsize bed - Round n Round's is positioned under a stargazing skylight, while Log Jam's is accessed by a ‘secret' door - and drift off to the comforting, distant sound of owls' hoots.

Continue the bird watching in the morning, with an array of hides down by the reservoir nearby (one of which is handily adjacent to a pub!), or borrow some up-cycled bikes and cycle the historic mineral tramways that surround the site.

Feeling energetic? You can explore Little M's twelve acres at your leisure, with nature trails that pass through the re-wilding area.  

Visit the orchard and cottage garden, relax by the wildlife pond, and say a friendly hello to Huw and Bernice's rescue pets (Brady and Tux the dogs, and Pan the cat), before settling in for another beautiful evening of wonder in the wild.

Things to note

Minimum 3-night stay. Over-18s only. Regrettably, pets are not permitted. Please note that access to both properties involves driving along an unmade track for half a mile. There is no Wi-Fi on site, but mobile phone coverage is ok.