All about Ekopod

Ekopod came about because its creator Simon Cathcart found the contrast between city life in London and his native Cornwall striking. He set about creating a place where you could find the ultimate in solitude but also comfort, a place where people could really get away from the confinement and crowds of city life. His design background is in evidence everywhere: the living space itself is a structural echo of the nearby Eden project. He personally designed the bespoke tents that house the kitchen and the bathroom and has carefully crafted the Ekopod's distinctive look.

There was also the chance to bring something vibrant and new into the area without having a significant impact on its rightly protected wildlife and heritage, an opportunity thankfully not lost on the planners and the tourist board.

Environmental policy

The last known sighting of the Beast of Bodmin

With almost half the Ekopod being a window, it is an extremely effiicient structure to heat and light during its seasonal operation. It was made locally too, by Albion Canvas in Devon. Solar power and efficient wood-burners are employed wherever possible and the furnishings are locally sourced as well as being gorgeous. Simon is considering adding another couple of Ekopods in locations around his land and is taking every precaution against negative environmental impact.

Wildlife

Whales and dolphins can often be seen on many sections of the Cornish coast. There are wildlife boat tours from Fowey or you could make some speculative whale watching part of a visit to Tintagel, a beautiful historic site.

Closer to the Ekopod itself, Bodmin is a massive wetland with a rich variety of wildlife, especially birds. There are impressive flocks of Golden Plover and the moors, now that they are less frequently used for cattle, are a rare refuge for Stonechat. There is also, of course, the legendary Beast of Bodmin. Despite the almost complete absence of any evidence at all, except a skull that had come from a leopardskin rug, the story of a large, wild, cat-like creature prowling the moors lives on.

Photography of Ekopod by Kirstin Prisk

Getting there

The Old Vicarage, St. Clether, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8QJ

By car

Come out of Launceston on the A30, fork right onto the A395 and then turn left, signposted St Clether.

By train

Bodmin Parkway is the nearest station, pick ups can be arranged at a price of £60 both ways.

If you are getting to the Cabin by train, bus or any other non-car means you can think of be sure to take a photo and enter our Go Greenly competition to win a 4 night stay at The Wagon or The Ark.

Things to do

Outdoor & active

Surfing at Widemouth beach

You can walk the coastal path as far as you like (it's quite a long loop) but a pleasant section is the 2 miles from Tregardock to the beach café at Trebarwith.

There's also the Camel Trail, a 17 mile traffic-free cycle and walking path based on the route of the old railway.

The surrounding area offers not only some incredible scenery, with over 360 miles of Dartmoor to explore, but plenty of activities. You could climb Roughtor and Brown Willy, the highest peaks in Cornwall and the whole area is criss-crossed by walking and cycling trails.

Just one of the many sights is Golitha Falls, a long series of cascades located a short walk along the river Fowey through ancient oak and beech woodland. If you start from the carpark on the east side of Sibblyback lake, it's a 7 or 8 mile hike.

If you fancy learning to surf, Widemouth beach is a popular spot with plenty of places to hire gear or get lessons.

Places to visit

Simon's plans for Ekopod. (not really, it's the Eden project)

Tintagel castle, supposedly (along with a few hundred other places) the site of Arthur's Camelot, is just north from you.

Padstow is just half an hour up the coast and aside from being a beautiful port town, it's home to Rick Stein's restaurant, fishmonger and cookery school.

Of course, if you're in the area and you're staying at Ekopod, you can't miss the chance to visit The Eden Project. Cornwall's iconic complex of biodomes is much more than a botanical garden, with activities and educational things to see and do, making a full day trip almost a necessity rather than a possibility.

Festivals, celebrations and special days

Continue the theme of ancient history by getting involved in Padstow Obby Oss Day on the 1st of May, a celebration of the Celtic festival of Beltane, spring rite for Bel the Sun God.

There are a number of great arts festivals in Cornwall. The Run to the Sun music festival lasts from the 27th - 30th of May and features top DJs, bands and a couple of comedians, plus the 'VW campers only' area and the silent disco now running over all three nights.

The Port Eliot festival is a joyous melée of literature and music which runs from the 21st to 24th July and St Ives September Festival, from 10th to 24th of September is a gathering of musicians and the artists of all kinds and street entertainers.

Cornwall Open Studios is a rare chance to see inside artist's studios and watch them at work. It runs from the 28th May to the 6th June all over Cornwall.

Naturally, there is a great deal going on on the water near Bodrifty. There's the traditional craft in the biannual Sea Salts Sails festival in Mousehole in early July and Henri Lloyd Falmouth week and theFowey Royal Regatta, 6th to 14th and 14th to 20th August respectively, which form a fortnight-long seafaring carnival.

Eating & drinking

Eating & drinking at Ekopod

The breakfast hamper includes fresh home-baked rolls, local jams, marmalades and apple juice and optional home-cooked evening meals available from the vicarage courtesy of Ekopod's very own Tiny Takeaway. A wooden chest lies just down the path from the Ekopod and breakfast will be delivered to it every morning at a time of your choosing. If you'd like an evening meal delivered in the same way, just tick a box on the menu inside the chest and it will be left there for you, again at a time decided by you. Evening meals aren't complimentary, but they are fresh and home cooked and, most importantly, not by you!

All guests at Ekopod receive a gourmet welcome hamper full of local and seasonal produce sourced from within a 30 mile radius of Ekopod. So there's no need to stop off on the way to pick up lunch. Once you've got through that, the local farm shop at Lifton has a good variety of local products and also strawberry picking in season.

Pubs & restaurants

The Jamaica Inn

The Rising Sun, Altarnun (1 mile). A half-hour walk through the valley over a stream and bridge. Local ales and traditional pub atmosphere in this 16th Century moorland inn.

Jamaica Inn, Bolventor (8 miles). Famously haunted, with a museum commemorating its literary appearances and its smuggling history. A most fascinating, but friendly place, to have a meal.

All about Ekopod

Ekopod came about because its creator Simon Cathcart found the contrast between city life in London and his native Cornwall striking. He set about creating a place where you could find the ultimate in solitude but also comfort, a place where people could really get away from the confinement and crowds of city life. His design background is in evidence everywhere: the living space itself is a structural echo of the nearby Eden project. He personally designed the bespoke tents that house the kitchen and the bathroom and has carefully crafted the Ekopod's distinctive look.

There was also the chance to bring something vibrant and new into the area without having a significant impact on its rightly protected wildlife and heritage, an opportunity thankfully not lost on the planners and the tourist board.

Environmental policy

The last known sighting of the Beast of Bodmin

With almost half the Ekopod being a window, it is an extremely effiicient structure to heat and light during its seasonal operation. It was made locally too, by Albion Canvas in Devon. Solar power and efficient wood-burners are employed wherever possible and the furnishings are locally sourced as well as being gorgeous. Simon is considering adding another couple of Ekopods in locations around his land and is taking every precaution against negative environmental impact.

Wildlife

Whales and dolphins can often be seen on many sections of the Cornish coast. There are wildlife boat tours from Fowey or you could make some speculative whale watching part of a visit to Tintagel, a beautiful historic site.

Closer to the Ekopod itself, Bodmin is a massive wetland with a rich variety of wildlife, especially birds. There are impressive flocks of Golden Plover and the moors, now that they are less frequently used for cattle, are a rare refuge for Stonechat. There is also, of course, the legendary Beast of Bodmin. Despite the almost complete absence of any evidence at all, except a skull that had come from a leopardskin rug, the story of a large, wild, cat-like creature prowling the moors lives on.

Photography of Ekopod by Kirstin Prisk