CABILLA CORNWALL

We stayed at Cabilla for (their first) Summer Solstice retreat and loved every minute of it.The bell tents are beautiful and comfortable, and The Barns area looks amazing. And this is coming from someone whose idea of hell would be camping.The toilets and showers are fitted out to a very high standard and considering we were some of the first guests, there were no teething issues. The showers were brilliant and everything was kept spotless, while never actually seeing anyone do it.The forest was open for us to enjoy and it was the most breathtaking part for me.Proper ancient woodland, unlike anything I've seen before.Vegetarian meals were provided on our retreat and although I'm a long way from being a veggie, it was actually very tasty and everything was really fresh.I've left the staff part of the review until the end, because it's the friendliness of the owners and hosts that really makes Cabilla.They have a passion for this place and this comes across with every interaction.Nobody is here just for 'a job', they enjoy having you here as much as you enjoy staying. You can see a lot of hard work and money has gone into creating Cabilla as a place to stay.If you get the chance for a tour of the forest by Merlin, then jump at it.His knowledge is mind blowing and he wants you to see how incredible this place is.Oh, and among a lot of other animals, they have a family of Beavers living wild on site.

We had the most relaxing stay at The Keep at Cabilla and really didn't want it to end! The cottage was so beautifully designed and thought through with so many special touches. We had everything we needed from the fully equipped kitchen, to the cosy living room to the fire pit outside. I also had one of the best night's sleep I've ever had, waking up to only the sounds of the birds - idyllic! The grounds of Cabilla are absolutely stunning and feel so remote, we were lucky enough to see a baby beaver at night time which was just incredible. We managed to have two days out on each coast and visited the beautiful Duchy garden centre, so it really is the perfect location for exploring the very best that Cornwall has to offer. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat and an escape from the city. Thank you Merlin and Lizzie! x

Probably one of the best and inspirational places I've ever been. Merlin is a true world hero re-wilding and improving the world for generations to come.

We did not know what to expect from Cabilla Cornwall - Jake has never been glamping or camping, so for him to enjoy the stay above and beyond a hotel holiday, it really does speak volumes.Upon pulling up we were a little weary and it was raining hard. We were greeted by Emile and the owner Merlín - both of which were absolutely top guys, really welcoming, attentive and they managed to immediately diffuse Jake's grouchiness from the long drive with their charming demeanours.One really key positive aspect of Cabilla is the aura; the non judgemental, open and free environment they create. Every inch of their 300 acre site oozes good vibes and it is exactly what you want when you’re getting away from real life for a few days.The site itself is stunning. The open plan kitchen, living, dining and yoga area creates a conscious state of zen where you feel at home to read, listen to music, eat, talk, cook, relax, or even sleep (as we did for a good hour or so after lunch one day) - everyone is very respectful and there is a mutual understanding of how to behave in Cabilla. It attracts the right crowd and you go there knowing you will feel safe and comfortable.The communal bathrooms were beautiful and always kept so clean. You didn't really feel like you were sharing it with others. The underfloor heating in the shower cubicles were a wonderful touch!One of the hosts, Cam, gave us the most amazing woodland walk around the estate - we saw Gloria the resident pig, walked through the temperate rainforest, took a dip in the outdoor ‘jacuzzi’, which we loved, and we learnt a lot about our natural ecosystem and all it’s inhabitants along the way. You really do feel at home with these guys - there Jake was walking through a rainforest bare foot with pink swim shorts on, soaking wet (forgot the towel) and it seemed insignificant. In the evening, Emile took us on an unforgettable beaver watching walk - we learnt about their history, their present role and the hopes for them to be reintegrated in the U.K. as a keystone species. We sat on an embankment for well over an hour seeing Sigourney Beaver gnawing some sticks and every moment was special. It was also amazing to discover that Cabilla is situated within one of the UK's rare dark sky environments, which is perfect for star gazing in front of the fire pits that they provide you with!The bell tents are kept very nicely, really cosy and are so lovely to sleep in, even when it’s rainy and windy. Everything is locally made and the beds are extremely comfortable (Jake is a light sleeper and frequently complain about a poor nights sleep in hotels). They’re actually quite spacious too and have a coat rack, blankets and bed side tables in as well as a chair!We spent 2 nights here and did not have the urge to leave the site, even in some torrential rain - we never felt bored or claustrophobic once. It does, however provide a nice base for those looking to stay longer to have a nice balance of getting that much needed rest & relaxation within nature and exploring Cornwall, which is what most chose to do. When we go back, we would like to stay for at least 4 nights.If you are new to glamping and want to give it a go in a comfortable environment then you should definitely visit. If you’re a veteran, then add this to your bucket list and get ticking it off ASAP! I can’t recommend highly enough and we don’t usually leave nice reviews often, so it goes to show that the right people in the right place can create the right experience for the most sceptical guest.Until next time, thank you all for an amazing holiday. Keep doing what you’re doing and we look forward to seeing how Cabilla has developed at our next stay.Jake & Leah