Quirky Cornwall

Cornwall is full of quirky places, places you can escape the normality of everyday. Here’s just a taste of places to stay and places to visit with a twist.

The Old Luggage Van, Railholiday
With oodles of Victorian charm The Old Luggage Van is a classy lady. She spent her early life working the railway but was cast aside for more than 60 years until she was lovingly adopted by Railholidays. With a spot of tender loving care, and the addition of a few home comforts, she’s come to enjoy a retirement that she deserves in an idyllic spot next to St Germans train station in South East Cornwall and now spends her days treating guests to a holiday with the romance of a bygone era. The Old Luggage Van is just one of four old railway carriages that have been converted into holiday accommodation by the award winning Railholidays team at St Germans.

The Ekopod
Stay in your very own geodome on the edge of Bodmin Moor and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Cornish countryside. At night lie in bed and gaze up into the stars, Bodmin Moor has been given Dark Skies status, so you could get one of the best views in Europe. The geodome can sleep up to four people, has a super king size four poster bed and a sofa that can be split into two singles on request. The off-grid pod, is lit by solar lamps and fairy lights and the water to the kitchen and bathroom is provided by our spring.

Carnglaze Slate Caverns
There can't be many concert venues in the country that are 60 meters below ground, compleatly enclosed in rock? On the other side of Bodmin Moor from Ekopods you will discover Carnglaze, a former slate mine that has made a name for itself over the years as a live venue for all types of music. Echo and the Bunnymen even shot the album cover for Ocean Rain here. During the day you can visit the caverns and explore, and even get married if that takes your fancy!
Not far away from Carnglaze you will find the Cheesewring (main picture), supposedly a pile of stones left by the giant that used to live on top of the hill near Minions on Bodmin Moor.

The Artist's Residence, Penzance
Down in the far west of Cornwall, an area famed for it's inspirational views, you will find this quirky boutique hotel. Chapel Street in Penzance was once home to the mother of the Bronte sisters, has an Egyptian House, a pub with a smuggler on the roof and a selection of quirky shops. In amongst all this sits the Artist's Residence with its original decor and 23 rooms, all styled by different local artists.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
And while staying in Penzance, why not search out these stunning gardens? As well as being full of sub-tropical plants, there's a surprise around every corner as you stumble across a wide range of art instalations. The creations of artists such as James Turrell, David Nash, Richard Long, Tim Shaw and Peter Randall-Page interact with the setting to create site-specific permanent works that harmonise with the landscape.

Deerpark Forest Holidays
Buried deep in the West Looe valley, on the site of a former explosives works, sit Forest Holiday Deerpark cabins. In all shapes and sizes, if you want the true quirky experience choose the Golden Oak Treehouse, a luxury cabin with the addition of an en-suite treehouse, reached by a rope bridge and with views out across the millpond. At the heart of the park is the Forest Hub, where you’ll find an eatery and a bar, a store, and the children’s play area. There are also activities, including Forest Ranger walks, and bike hire.

St Nectan's Glen
A spectacular 60 ft waterfall splashes through a hole in the rocks as you follow a beautiful walk through ancient woodland full of ivy clad trees along the banks of the River Trevillet. A place where animals and birds play amid a mysticism of fairies and piskies, serenaded by the wonderful sound of bird song. You will even find a number of small stacks of flat stones, known as Faerie Stacks, and come across the the Arbor, a stunning and enchanting structure which stands as a homage to the nature, spirituality and beauty that surrounds it.

This is just a small selection of the more unusual places to stay and explore in Cornwall....