All about Ekopod

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

In & around The Geo

• Gas stove in kitchen tent
• Cool box
• All pots, pans, utensils
• Cobb outdoor cooking system (optional extra)

• All provided, even towels

• Selection of board games and cards

• Slippers or flip flops, the Ekopod is no place for muddy boots . . .
• . . . but wellies or boots for walking
• A torch is always handy

• Check in time is 4-6pm, please call Simon if you think you're going to be late
• Check out time is 10:30am
• No children or pets are allowed at Ekopod
• Ekopod is open from April - October
• There is no mains power in the pod

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.

Local activities

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

Booking terms for The Geo

Booking Conditions

Please note that Canopy & Stars is acting as an 'Agent' in the booking of Ekopod on behalf of Simon Cathcart (hereafter referred to as the 'Owner'). The Owner of the property is responsible for your stay and is the 'Principal' in this agreement. Customers renting property through Canopy & Stars are referred to as the Guest. The rental arrangements are made by Canopy & Stars, on behalf of the Owners and the contractual relationship is directly between the Owners of the property and the Guest.

The Canopy & Stars booking line (01275 395 447) is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm except on public holidays. When using the online enquiry form, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours. Online enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment.

1. Booking and payments

1.1 The dates of your booking will be held upon payment of a non-refundable deposit of 25% or payment in full. Deposits are only payable when booking more than 10 weeks in advance of your check in date. Any booking less than 10 weeks in advance of your check in date must be paid in full immediately.

1.2 On receipt of the deposit, a booking confirmation will be sent to you within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, containing the details of your stay and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible. We're sorry for any inconvenience, but payments can only be made by credit and debit cards. A 2% surcharge will be applied to credit cards. We do not accept American Express, cheques or cash.

1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. If you are unable to pay the balance before the stated due date, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.

2. Cancellation

2.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.

2.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.

2.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.

2.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.

2.5 If the location of your booking is inaccessible due to adverse conditions your booking can be deferred to a later date subject to availability and at discretion of Canopy & Stars on behalf of the owner of the property.

3. Alteration

3.1 Alterations to your booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations will incur a £30 administration fee and are subject to availability and at the discretion of Canopy & Stars on behalf of the Owner of the property.

3.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.

4. Complaints

In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner of the property as soon as possible and they will use all reasonable endeavours to resolve the issue. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback.

5. Pricing

Prices on the website are not binding, but costs stated in any booking confirmation email you receive from Canopy & Stars will be honoured as shown and will include all VAT and any charges.

6. Information

Information on the website is correct to the best of our knowledge, but circumstances outside of our control may cause it to become inaccurate. We apologise for any inconvenience that may result from this.

7. Liability

7.1 Canopy & Stars accept no liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury whilst on your stay.

7.2 Canopy & Stars will not be liable for any act, neglect or default on the part of the Owners or any other person not within their employ or otherwise under their control, nor for any accident, damage, loss, injury, expense or inconvenience, whether to person or property, which the Guest or any other person may suffer or incur arising out of, or in any way connected with the rental unless Canopy & Stars is responsible. In addition, the Owners and Canopy & Stars accept no liability for loss of or damage to the Guest’s possessions on the Owners’ property or land.

7.3 Nothing in these conditions excludes or limits the liability of Canopy & Stars or the Owners:

a. for death or personal injury caused by Canopy & Stars or the Owners negligence.

b. for any matter which it would be illegal for Canopy & Stars or the Owners to exclude or attempt to exclude their liability.

7.4 The use of swimming pools, lakes, climbing trees, tractor rides and any other activity on the Owners land is the responsibility of the Guest and is done so at their own risk.

8. Pets

Pets are not permitted at the Ekopod. We apologise for any inconvenience.

9. VAT

Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable the tax is included in the weekly rent.

10. The Holiday – Guest Conditions of occupancy and Conduct

10.1 The Guests have the right to occupy the Property for the paid for holiday period only (within the meaning of Schedule 1 Paragraph 9 of the Housing Act 1988).

10.2 Guests undertake to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner in consultation with the Agents. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property.

11. Breach of Booking Conditions

11.1 If there is a breach of any of these conditions by the Guest or any of their party, the Owners or Canopy & Stars reserve the right to re-enter the Property and end the holiday and ask the Guest and their party to leave in addition to their other rights specified in these Booking Conditions.

11.2 Ending the Holiday by either the Owners or Canopy & Stars, or the Guests does not affect that party’s other rights and remedies.

12 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Any dispute will be governed by the non-exclusive law and jurisdiction of the English or Scottish Courts depending on the location of the Property.

13. Authority to Sign

The person who signs the Booking Form certifies that:

1. he or she is authorised to agree the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons included in the Booking Form, including those substituted or added at a later date;
2. the signatory is over eighteen years of age;
3. they agree to take responsibility for the party occupying the Property, and to notify Canopy & Stars if they are not a member of the holiday party.

14. Discrepancies

In case of a discrepancy between these Booking Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Booking Conditions shall prevail.

15. Validity clause

In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Booking Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Booking Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.