Review of The Green Cornwall, Cornwall, England

>> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: The Green Cornwall

The Green Cornwall consists of a large house, five newly-converted self catering holiday cottages and an indoor wedding venue on 14 acres of land, high up on a Cornish hillside.

One barn converted into three luxury holiday cottages. Photo: Tom Watts

The accommodation
The first thing you'll be struck by when you arrive at The Green Cornwall will no doubt be the view. High up on a hillside, guests are immediately greeted by a seemingly endless ocean of Cornish fields that rolls into the distance. The accommodation itself consists of five luxury self-catering cottages sleeping between 2 and 6 people and the main house, which can sleep up to 12. Up until 2006, the site was used as a dairy farm, and this history is exemplified by the plaques and maps that adorn the hallways and living rooms of several of the cottages. In the short period since the closing of the farm, owner Moira has succeeded in creating a handful of fantastic holiday cottages from what was once the farm's production rooms, tea rooms and shop. Having lost none of their Cornish character, the cottages are also decidedly luxurious, with stylish interiors, kingsize beds, underfloor heating and private gardens. Converted from a single large barn, three of the cottages all have access to a gorgeous balcony that offers perhaps the best views of the entire property, an ideal setting for a relaxing afternoon in the sun.One of the cosy cottage bedrooms. Photo: Tom Watts

The main house lacks nothing when it comes to luxury. Made up of seven bedrooms (2 twin, 3 kingsize and 2 singles), the master bedroom even boasts its own ensuite, dressing room and balcony. There's also a modern, open-plan kitchen, colossal dining table  and an open fire in the lounge for those long winter nights. There's also plenty of board games, DVDs and books (found in the mini library) that'll keep you busy if the sun goes in.

The activities
Considering the main house backs onto Bodmin moor, there simply couldn't a better location from which to enjoy some of Cornwall's best mountain biking and hiking routes. The cottages all have a number of walking guides listing the area's top routes. From certain vantage points around the grounds you'll even be able to spot Cheesewrings, Sharp Tor and the engine houses at Minions in the distance. Guests can also visit the local stables and take a horse out to experience the moors at a more relaxed pace. The 14-acre site is also home to beautiful woodland, an orchard, a stream and a lake, so there are countless paths and routes that wind through trees and fields. It seems that any given spot could be an ideal location for a picnic - this is particularly true of a small clearing that looks out over Rilla Mill. On top of this, there's a play area for small children that is a stone's throw from the cluster of cottages. There's also a pretty path that leads down into the town of Upton Cross. Here, you'll not only find the Caradon Inn, but also Sterts Theatre, which puts on highly-recommended shows and performances. Further afield is the famous Eden Project as well as an array of beautiful beaches.

This is also arguably one of the best locations in the country for a green wedding. Having only recently been granted their license, the owners have gone about creating the perfect green-wedding venue, complete with a beautifully located wooden arbour that looks out over the rolling countryside, but there's also a specially-built indoor venue that, when combined with a marquee, can accommodate even the biggest wedding parties. The cavernous indoor area has a huge glass entrance that lets in a dramatic amount of natural light, and would no doubt provide fantastic views of the starry sky as the sun sets over the hills. Wedding parties are invited to rent out the entire site for an all-inclusive wedding event.

The Green Cornwall's indoor wedding venue. Photo: Tom Watts

The food
There are two excellent farm shops nearby, plus a local village shop in Rilla Mill. Rilla Mill is also home to the Manor House Inn, a pub that not only serves up impressive food, but is also within stumbling distance of The Green Cornwall. There are also excellent pubs in nearby Upton Cross and Minions.

What makes The Green Cornwall green
Each of the cottages is heated using renewable ground source heating, as well as being insulated well beyond current standards. In addition, all of the accommodations are fitted with low energy-consumption appliances. The Green Cornwall also has its own private water source - naturally filtered from the moors, plus they encourage recycling, using a large 'bin shed' where guests can deposit all waste. They also make sure to use all eco-friendly cleaning products.

The owners of The Green Cornwall have made sure the natural environment actively encourages biodiversity. There's a wild flower meadow, acres of woodland and an orchard that grows countless varieties of apples. The area surrounding the property also acts as a safe habitat for many species, including deer. Bats have their own stone cottage dwelling on site, while owls are catered for with nesting boxes.

Top tip
Wander down into the nearby Rilla Mill and make the most of the fantastic food and drink on offer at the Manor House Inn. Another tip is simply to wander the meadows, orchard and woodland, taking in the panoramic views of the Cornish countryside. If you have kids, a stop off at the lake is a must.

Verdict
Thanks to the combination of the stunning location, the wealth of activities on the doorstep, and the top-end accommodation, this is a great place for anyone looking to make the most of their Cornish experience. Also, following the completion of the arbour and indoor venue, this is now a perfect setting for anyone considering an alternative green wedding.

An ideal picnic spot with Rilla Mill in the background. Photo: Tom Watts

>> For contact details and to check availability, see our full listing of: The Green Cornwall