Cornish Tipi Holidays

The site is unique. A woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres clothed in ferns and bluebells, oak and meadowsweet. Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals & poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells & dormice, Red Admirals & shy woodland Jays for you to spot.

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.

We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us. We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with a little local knowledge or contacts if you need them.

you choose

Our tipis are arranged sympathetically around the valley so that we can offer a sense of both privacy and community to groups of all sizes. You have a choice of medium (sleeps 2-3 if one is a young child) and large (sleeps up to 6). These can be booked either in the community space of the Village Field, where you'll have neighbours, or in your own clearing with a bit more seclusion on a Private Site. We've also got one double Private Site where friends and family can book two tipis together.

Larger groups often book several tipis grouped together in a Village Field setting, or book part of the site for weddings, parties or workshops & courses (see weddings & parties).

return to real camping

We want to offer our guests a really sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.

We have flushing lavatories (one with limited wheelchair access) and hot showers situated at either end of the site, with an additional showers-only block more centrally located near reception. Our mains water comes from standpipes for your cooking and washing up which you will need to heat up back at your tipi - our basins are plumbed for cold water and are intended for handwashing, brushing your teeth etc rather than washing your dishes.

fires

We know sitting by a crackling campfire with the scent of drifting woodsmoke is part of the camping experience. Few modern campsites allow any sort of fire. We positively encourage you to make a fire in your own firepit and enjoy a night under the stars. Our guidance notes on arrival give advice and safety tips such as using the special trivet provided to help make cooking easier. Also outside you’ll have a locally made table with bench seating for family meals.

the lake

Clear blue one minute and shifting greens the next, Tregildrans Quarry lake is a real Swallows & Amazons experience. You can swim and bathe in the water, fish for rainbow trout, use the boats and canoes to row and muck about, or just sit and watch the swallows and dragonflies dipping the water.

You’ll need to bring your own rods and fishing licences, but we do have life jackets if you don’t have your own. The lake is fenced off from the main path and secured by a gate with a childproof catch so no little ones should be able to wander in by themselves – but please remember that there is no lifeguard and children must be supervised at all times. If you fancy bringing your own kayak or Topper to use on the lake by all means do so.

cars

Our aim is to keep use of vehicles to the absolute minimum. We ask that you walk throughout the site, except for unloading and loading at your tipi or pitch on arrival and departure, and park your car in the parking areas provided. The main car park is beside reception and the overflow car park is in the marquee meadow, but both areas are firmly on our property and away from the road.

In a place with few rules this is the one we ask you most strongly to respect. If you cannot bear to be parted from your car this may not be the holiday for you. One vehicle is included per booking and we will need advance information of make, registration number etc. Additional cars are charged as extras when you book.