Escape to the beautiful wilderness of the North Cornish coast, close to Port Isaac & Polzeath. Stay in a handcrafted shepherd’s hut with curved ash beams & Windy Smithy wood burner on a converted railway line. You can relax in total privacy with only the local cows for company. You can explore the nearby woods, go swimming, fishing & boating on the magical freshwater lake. A perfect break for couples or a solo traveller wanting to unwind.
About
Free Range Escapes was create because of a need to escape the hectic life of the city! For people who want and love to surround themselves in nature and the elements but who sometimes like or deserve a little with more comfort than just basic camping. Our Shepherd’s Huts are based at Cornish Tipi Holidays/Weddings also known as Tregildrans Quarry. The site is unique. A woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old quarry. The hut is at the top of a secret 20 acres clothed in ferns and bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Undisturbed by modern agrochemicals and herbicides the natural ecosystem has flourished, providing a thriving habitat for flowers and butterflies, birds and mammals.
It’s a place a world apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat.
The Shepherd’s Huts are situated in a recently reclaimed part of the site on the old railway line which was taken out in the 60’s, reclaimed by nature until now!
Location
At Free Range Escapes you are a five minute drive from some of the prettiest villages and most spectacular coastline in Cornwall. You can buy fresh mackerel, scallops and crab in the fish cellars at Port Isaac within 10 minutes of leaving your Shepherd’s Hut, go sea kayaking under soaring cliffs at Port Quin or take a surfing class on Polzeath’s trend setting shoreline.
We have some phenomenal walking right on our doorstep; the Cornwall Coastal Footpath, the Saints’ Way, but unfortunately a car is still usually needed to get you there. 15 minutes up the coast brings you to Tintagel Castle and the ancient village of Boscastle, and the same distance inland lets you walk the rugged solitude of Bodmin Moor.
We have a variety of good shops, pubs and restaurants in the area including the now nationally famous Seafood Restaurant in Padstow – book a return with the late water taxi across the moonlit estuary from Rock for a special evening out.
You can go on fishing trips, bird watching walks, sea safaris, sailing and windsurfing courses, learn to ride, golf, play tennis, see a touring theatre production, work in watercolours, take a master class in seafood cookery, explore Cornish history, attend a music or literary festival, or just go cycling together on the beaufiful Camel Trail nearby.
If you’re prepared to go a little further afield try a day trip by tiny plane to the glorious Isles of Scilly off Land’s End, or a trip to the Minack Theatre set outside on the cliffs high above Porthcurno, or closer by visit the massive biodomes of the ever popular Eden Project.
Having your own transport is advised because of the rural location, although we have had walkers stay who were exploring the North Cornish Coastal Footpath and they loved it!
The nearest bus stops are Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, St.Kew, Trelill or St.Teath – buses operate on a hail & stop basis. They will often stop on the main road and let passengers get off if you give them prior warning.
Prices/Booking/Availability
Prices
Prices range from £99-£185 per night.
With a minimum stay of 2-3 nights depending on the season.
Booking/Availability
You can either book directly via bank transfer by e-mailing info@freerangeescapes.co.uk (which avoids paying extra online fees) or online using Airbnb.
Below are the links to each huts online booking calendar on Airbnb which will show you their available dates. You can either book this way or check out whats available then e-mail us to book.
Bluebell Hut
Dandelion Hut
Elderflower Hut
The Huts
We now have three Shepherd’s Huts at Free Range Escapes. Both set on the re-wilded Railway Line at Cornish Tipis also known as Tregildrans Quarry. The site is unique. A woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old quarry. The huts are at the top of a secret 20 acres clothed in ferns and bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Undisturbed by modern agrochemicals and herbicides the natural ecosystem has flourished, providing a thriving habitat for flowers and butterflies, birds and mammals.
It’s a place a world apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat.
The Shepherd’s Hut themselves are situated in a recently reclaimed part of the site on the old railway line which was taken out in the 60’s, reclaimed by nature until now!
Guests will have full access to the whole site & all its faculties. 20 acres of woodland to explore and a freshwater lake to swim, boat and fish in. As well as your own secluded garden space complete with an open fire and garden furniture.
The huts have their own private compositing loo and wooden safari style shower both outside. Guests are of course allowed full access to any of the other loo/shower blocks on site.
There is also electricity in the huts!! Solar powered lights & sockets make it easy to charge items or read a book after the sun goes down. However please be aware that the electricity system in the huts only powers the lights and USB sockets. The only sockets in the huts are USB sockets. All huts are fully equipped with a comfy double bed, a kitchen area complete with cutlery and kitchen equipment, there is no fridge just a cool box – ice blocks can be collected daily.
The aim is to have created spaces which make you feel like you are out in nature & the elements but with more comfort than basic camping.
Elderflower Hut
Our original hut is called Elderflower and is still looking as beautiful as ever, with vintage curtains and old fashioned lanterns this hut has a certain country chic to it as well as its own woodfired hot tub;
BlueBell Hut
Our second hut is called Bluebell and has all the same charm as our original hut. With its own individual character and unique features such as reclaimed scaffold board shelves, Salamander wood burner and custom made elm windowsills. This hut also has a romantic couples woodfired hot tub, perfect for relaxing evenings enjoying the dappled sunlight through the trees;
Dandelion Hut
Our first re-claimed hut and the last one along the railway line. This hut really has a character of its own, with its high ceilings and stained glass windows you get a real feeling of light and space. Decorated inside with a unique scandi/African/boho chic vibe, soft blues and natural wood really make for a romantic, relaxing environment. Of course this hut like the other two also has it’s own private woodfired hot tub outside underneath a wild apple tree;
Guests should note
Guests should also note that the Shepherd’s Huts have no fridge. There is a cool box under the sink – fresh frozen ice blocks can be collected daily from the main car park just outside the wood clad reception/little shop. There are also only USB sockets in each hut. Only a starter amount of wood is provided stored under the wood burners, so more wood maybe required. This can be purchased on site or you can bring some with you or you can really get back to basics and forage in the woods!