Hi Guys, I honestly can’t describe how incredibly excited I am to share this post with you. I’ve been back from Cornwall for just over a week now however in all honestly I just couldn’t bring myself to sit down and write the post. Why? Because then I’d have to admit that the most perfect weekend was over… I know how very cheesy that sounds but it’s 100% true. Staying in the Lower Yurt at Botelet Farm was like something out of a story book. It was pure bliss and the perfect get away from the city. So without further ado, grab a brew (that’s a cup of tea for you non-northern folks) and a snack (because this is a long one) and enjoy this post and the most beautiful photographs I think I’ve ever taken!
“There’s nothing like the peace of the countryside, the quiet and the lack of distraction. It helps you to focus your mind.”
– Jenny Nimmo
So first thing’s first, I headed to Cornwall with my partner Lloyd on the friday afternoon, his lovely mum agreed to drive us as she was (luckily for us) heading there anyway for a fitness weekend with her triathalon group. We drove from Milton Keynes and managed to get there in around 5 hours which included a couple of service stations stops to top up on road trip snacks. En route to Botelet we drove through the stunning seaside town of Looe (pictured above.) Have you ever seen something so picturesque?! Lloyd and I then continued our drive, which was around 20/25 minutes away to the beautiful Botelet where we went on to stay for the next few days. A quick note at this point, if you do decide to visit yourself, the signal as you head towards Botelet and begin driving through the countryside, the signal and service goes completely so make sure you have your maps/sat-nav etc. fully set as it can get a little confusing trying to navigate your way through the various country lanes… all of which look exactly the same. Saying that, the locals are super nice so we stopped and asked for directions a couple of people and they set us on the right track. 
“Hidden up-stream from Fowey, a special piece of rural Cornwall has been farmed, nurtured and styled by the Tamblyn family for 150 years.”
Driving through the countryside it was easy to see why people love this part of the UK, so many colours making the landscape come alive. Botelet itself is made up of 300 acres of land and you really do feel like you’re in your own little paradise. We met Tia on our arrival who greeted us and showed us around. She told us all the need to know information regarding our home for the weekend and gave us lots of recommendations for things we could do whilst there as well as the closest shops in order to get some food supplies.
We chose to stay in the lower yurt –
“With views stretching out across rolling fields down the valley, staying in a yurt at Botelet imbues a sense of relaxation that is hard to beat. Our yurt is crafted locally from oak and ash, and sits on a platform raised on poles. It blends into the scenery, enveloping you in the sounds, changing colours, peace and quiet of the outer landscape. The interior is fresh and uncluttered with rustic and contemporary furnishing.”
I’d never stayed in a yurt before but something about it seemed so romantic. Our own little space surrounded by nature. We learnt quickly how to use the log fire and the hob and were shown all the essentials. The yurt itself is near to the entrance of Botelet, It looks quite small from the outside but once inside it becomes the perfect size for two. We lucked out with the weather whilst there too which meant we spent the majority of our time walking around the vast amount of land, cooking our meals and eating on the steps outside the yurt itself. As soon as we arrived there was a sense of freedom, a total dis-connect from the fast pace lifestyle of London. Although we could get signal and data there, I chose to put my phone away and enjoy a four day digital detox. It was needed and I was so grateful of it come time to go home. 
“There’s something about the npise of nature. Not being able to hear a single car. We were surrounded by sounds of wildlife, birds chirps, cows mooing – a constant mumur of the leaves rustling. It really did feel like we hit the pause button and took a moment out of our charotic lives to just be.”
We spent four days there in total, Friday – Monday and that was the perfect amount of time to fully hit the reset button. We got to be kids again, running through fields, playing on the swing set and making daisy chains. There is also something so refreshing about walking to get water and heating it up on the stove. It felt like our own little piece of the world and it was perfect. We spent our evening cooking, drinking local ciders and playing cards games. In the day, we’d drive to the local village (Lostwithiel) to stock up on food, a cute little village only 15 minutes away by car. We also headed to The Eden Project whilst there, a place both Lloyd and I have wanted to visit for a while. The Eden Project was around a 30 minute drive from Botelet so again, it was a great little daytime excusion. One thing I will say is that I can’t imagine doing this trip without a car, as a matter of fact I’d say it would be near impossible as everything is very secluded and the public transport is very hit and miss. The Eden Project was as beautiful as we had imagined, we managed to meet up with Lloyds best friend and goddaughter along with their family which was a huge added bonus to the trip. Other than that though, we spent our four days in the yurt exploring the 300 acres of land we had at our disposal. We quickly learnt that all the animals had their own personalities, we’d walk through the fields alongside the cows and sheep, picking wild flowers to take back to the yurt for me to arrange. The sunshine was beautiful and the fresh air un-paralleled. Being able to take a deep breath and fill your lungs with the purest of air is something I miss living in the city. The same goes for watching the moon and stars in the evening. At night time after we heated up the yurt with our log fire and turned on the electric blanket (which oh my god – is the best invention ever created!) I’d lay down and stare up through the clear centre of the yurt ceiling, watching the moon. Again, perfection. 
I honestly can’t thank Tia and the wonderful Tamblyn family enough for having us. Both myself and Lloyd had the most amazing time unwinding, relaxing and truly taking time to switch off. Botelet is a place where nature really does have the freedom to roam, every corner of it is filled with plants and wildlife. I would return in a heart beat and would 100% recommend it to everyone. It’s not often I visit a place where I feel completely zoned out and tuned in at the same time. To move at a slower pace and take in all the beauty that surrounds me. It makes you see the world in a different light and appreciate what an amazing world we actually live in. Although we stayed in the yurt, which again I would highly recommend for couples or a girly weekend for two. Botelet also offer two self-catering cottages as well as the option of ‘wild camping’ in a tent. Alongside this they also hold a monthly ‘Botelet Breakfast Club’ – simple, seasonal and vegetarian with artisan coffee. As well as creative and wellbeing courses taking place throughout the year. 
The Lower Yurt
Sleeps two people in one double bed. Duvet, pillows, bed linen & towels supplied.
Basic kitchen equipment includes electric hob, pots & pans, kettle, stovetop espresso, crockery, cutlery & washing up facilities.
The yurt has electricity including a charging point, radio, lighting, torch and heated blanket on the bed.
Wood from the farm, newspaper, firelighters and matches provided.
BBQ supplied, please bring charcoal (can be purchased locally).
Shared hot shower and lavatory outside farmhouse a short walk across field, along with fridge/freezer.
Water is pure and natural, pumped from below the orchard. Cold tap near the yurt.2 nights £210 • 3 nights £270 • 4 nights £330 • 5 nights £380 • 6 nights £420 • 7 nights £450
Minimum two night stays can be booked online.
I have a feeling that whatever I write about our time at Botelet, it won’t quite do the place justice. I hope the pictures I took whilst there show the true beauty of the place because it really was stunning. It was a weekend I will never forget and perhaps one of my favourite get-aways to date. Thank you for having us Botelet, I can’t wait to see you again one day.
K x
