All about Lombard Farm

A family affair...

Lombard Farm is a family business run by David, Catherine and various Collin children. The Farm was bought sixteen years ago at auction, a nerve wracking experience, and was in a bad state of repair. Since then it has been slowly restored to its current state of tranquility and beauty.

David’s background is as an outdoor education specialist, with over twenty years of activity-related professional qualifications and experience. On the way he has picked up a Masters Degree in marine science, qualified as a Yacht Master, a British Canoe Union Coach, and is qualified by the Mountain Leader Training Board to lead groups on high moorland.

But most of all David enjoys life and has put what he really loves at the center of his world. He stays fit by leading a physically active life and has created a beautiful, welcoming place at Lombard. Perhaps most importantly his current lifestyle now gives him plenty of time to be with his three children.

Catherine is a chartered clinical psychologist with extensive experience of providing consultancy and training in areas of stress management, assertiveness, team-building and communication.

She runs her own well-established business Outlook Southwest, which provides a psychological input into a range of work places.

David freely admits that she is the steady one who keeps the Lombard lifestyle on an even keel. David and Catherine have three children, Eliza 18, (going on 25), Tamara 16, Tristan 12 as well as various animals, so Catherine's is more than a full time job!

Eliza loves acting, dancing and art and has just started studying at Falmouth University, Tamara is a proud vegetarian, loves fashion, all animals and hates maths (but just got a B so can’t be too bad). Tristan loves rugby, drumming and anything with wheels. They sometimes even like sailing with David. The animals just like food, which brings us to...

Wildlife & the environment

Sustainability has always been at the heart of the project. Thousands of trees have been planted for both fuel and fruit. A fine vegetable patch and a potting shed have been built, a bore hole dug for the lovely fresh Lombard water, and two barns converted. More recently solar hot water for the farmhouse and guest’s showers and solar photovoltaic cells for electricity have been installed.

Lombard Farm is in a small hamlet surrounded by other small farms and beautiful rolling hills and is within the Fowey River Valley AONB.

The farm sits in seven acres which are organically farmed, so there is plenty of wildlife. You will usually hear or see rabbits, beautiful barn owls, hedgehogs, numerous birds, bats and, if you are lucky, a dear or two, (usually nibbling at David’s newly planted trees!)

The farm is about four miles from the south coast, so on still nights you can hear the sound of breaking waves on the coast and even ships navigating up the nearby river.

Your holiday at Lombard will be carbon neutral; wood burners for heating, pv for electricity, bore hole for water and solar hot water for showers and you can walk where you need to go! David and Catherine also use eco friendly cleaning products and have full recycling facilities.

Getting there

Lombard Farm, Mixtow, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1NA

By public transport - Ordnance Survey map reference of the farm 136533

The nearest train station is either Par or Lostwithiel and the nearest bus station is in Fowey. You can walk from Fowey bus stop in about 30 minutes.

Local taxies are Coastal Cars (01726 832372) and Polruan Taxi (07870 280144),

By car - there are a couples of routes, concentrate!

Slow and steady: M5-Exeter-A38-Dobwalls-A390-East Taphouse-B3359

From the M5 at Exeter, take the A38 to Plymouth and on past Liskeard (on the bypass) to Dobwalls. At the new Dobwalls bypass rounderbout, take the A390 (signpost St Austell). The next village you come to is East Taphouse. At the end of the village, turn left onto the B3359 (signpost Looe).

B3359 - Lombard Farm Not far now!

After about 4 miles, on the rise of a hill, turn right for Polruan. After another 4 miles, you pass through a village called Lanteglos Highway. On the outskirts of the village, turn right (signpost Mixtow). 500 meters later, you reach a T-junction, turn right and Lombard Farm is on the left. Go past the white farmhouse and then immediately left down a lane, past the entrance to the Red and Blue Houses, the entrance to the field, marked by a white top to the gate post! Please open and drive through the gate then park on the right just inside the gate. The yurt and tipi can be found up in the corner of the field to your left.

Quicker but more complex route: M5-Exeter-A30-A390-East Taphouse-B3359

Leave the M5 at Exeter and take the A30 to Launceston. About 8 miles after passing the Launceston turning, you go down a steep hill and take the left turning at the bottom of the hill, signpost Bolventor and brown sign Jamaica Inn. Drive up the hill some 1/4 mile then turn left signed St Cleer, continue up the hill (1/4 mile) into Bolventor and turn left signpost St Cleer and Golitha Falls. Follow this narrow lane for some 6 1/2 miles past Golitha Falls. At T junction turn right signpost Doubleboise. Cross over the A38 (sometimes very busy) signpost A390 St Austell. After about 1 mile turn right onto the A390 signpost St Austell. At East Taphouse turn left onto the B3359 (signpost Looe) and follow the directions above.

St Austell-Fowey-Car Ferry-Lombard Farm

From further west, take the A3082 from St Austell to Fowey. Cross at the car ferry and take the first left (signpost Mixtow). Lombard farm is ½ mile on the left. Then follow the directions above.

Things to do

At Lombard Farm

Why not spend the afternoon in the lovely wood fired hot tub with a glass of beer in hand, nurturing the wood fire carefully to the right temperature then celebrate with the rest of your family and friends with a warm dip, basking in the glory of a job well done!

There is apple picking in season, but if that sounds like too much hard work, just take it easy in the meadow or in the massive hammock, big enough for the whole family.

The Link, a beautiful shared space for the use of both yurt and tipi guests, has books and games. There is even Wifi in the Link, yurt and tipi, if you really can't live off grid the whole time.

If you're feeling really indulgent, get a massage from local masseur Rachel Fisher (APNT MAR), qualified in massage and reflexology. More information can be found on her website at Bodhi Telephone 07971 007331

or

Susan - Body Massage, Aromatherapy massage, Indian Head Massage, Hot stone Massag. Telephone 01726 832950 mob 07764 409212

Rainy days (things guests might be able to do in bad weather)

The Link has a large room with a comfortable sofa, large table, underfloor heating and plenty of space, lots of games; wifi and an ipod hook up for music.

Other good rainy day options are:

The Eden Project (01726 811911) is a must if you have not seen it already

National Trust (01208 74281) there are plenty of great National Trust walks and buildings around this part of Cornwall and Lanhydrock House, which is nearby, is a real gem!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan (01726 845100) combined with a visit to Eden or the south coast make a good day out.

National Maritime Museum Falmouth (01326 313388) is worth a visit and can be combined with a day in and around Falmouth.

Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum St Ives (01736 796226) Both the galleries and St Ives are great for a day out. You can take the train from Par, change at St Earth and arrive in the heart of the town.

Don't miss Kneehigh, our local theater company, if they are playing nearby during your stay!

The Hall for Cornwall (01872 262466) is a good venue for local and national theater. You could combine an afternoon performance with a day in Truro with its excellent shops and beautiful Cathedral. Trains go from Par or Lostwithiel and pass through beautiful countryside on the way to Truro.

Other local theatre and dance performances are at Sterts open-air theater on Bodmin Moor or the beautiful Minack Theater which is further west. (Don't forget to wrap up and take something to sit on.)

Other local productions, workshops and film listing can be found through the Restormal arts website.

Outdoor & Active (walks, watersports)

A few suggestions of ways to earn that hot tub!

Encounter Cornwall – Canoeing, cycling and walking for visitors to Cornwall

Polkerris Beach Watersports is very family friendly and is a short drive from us and offers; dinghy sailing, Stand-Up Paddle Surfing, Sit-on kayaking and windsurfing and if you don’t want to get wet Sams on the beach is a fine restaurant and you can watch the rest of the family in or on the water

Local Yacht clubs for dinghy and yacht sailing or sitting in the bar talking about sailing! Fowey Gallants Sailing Club, 01726 812151 and Royal Fowey Yacht Club 01726 832245

South West Coast Path walk from your front door to the coast!

Mevagissey Ferry Regular ferry from Fowey to Mevagissey

Local boat hire; Fowey Boatyard 01726 832194

Encounter Walking Holidays - Self Guided Walking Holidays across the West Country

For more information about the local riverside town of Fowey you could see the Fowey Tourist Information website or the Fowey Town website.

Local mackerel fishing trips can be organized on Luna Blue by Steve Perrin on 07853 201596 lunablue@hotmail.co.uk

Polmartin Farm a family friendly riding stable for all ages and abilities

Eating & drinking

At Lombard Farm

Orchard Yurt and Meadow Tipi both have their own gas hobs, grills and outside bbq, so you can rustle up a family feast without stepping out of the door. There's even a vegetable garden and apple trees which occasionally provide some fine ingredients, the surplus from which you might find on the table in The Link. If you feel the need for some home comforts, The Link is a beatifully appointed space shared between the yurt and the tipi, a couple of minutes from each. Inside you'll find a fridge freezer (one each for the yurt and the tipi) and a kitchen equipped with a toaster, kettle and microwave. It's also where you'll find a stock of games and books, a drying room for damp clothes (there's also a washing machine), washing up stuff and the loos. The whole of The Link has underfloor heating as well, making it a cosy place to curl up.

Lombard has over 5 acres of meadow for picnics and games and beautiful walks from your doorstep to the river and National Trust woods.

For the basics

There is a small shop at the campsite at Bodinnick, which is open around breakfast and teatime, good for the essentials and about 15 min walk or 5 min drive.

If you are planning some healthy eating you could arrange for an organic 'veg box' from Riverford Farm which is delivered on a Friday, David and Catherine use them and can recommend the quality of their fruit and veg. If you do order from RIverford, ask them to leave the box with your name on it in The Link, or it might end up in the house!

A few other shopping options

The nearest larger shops are in Fowey and the best way to get there, if you are not in a rush, is to walk or drive to the car park at Bodinnick and take the ferry, then walk into Fowey.

There is a small village shop and post office in Lerryn, a pleasant village on the banks or the river, (grid reference 140570). The shop sells papers, food, wine and a good cream tea.

There is a medium sized co-op supermarket in Lostwithiel, (grid reference 106598). If you are looking to do the 'weekly shop' there is a Tesco at Holmbush (grid reference 038526) on the way to St Austell or a Morrisons by the Liskeard bypass (grid reference 642592).

There are fortnightly farmers markets in Lostwithiel and several farm vegetable stands nearby. Churchtown Farm, 01726 870375 fifteen minutes away by car, sells delicious organic beef from the farm.

The fishing port of Looe, about 20 minutes drive away has plenty of fresh fish shops.

Pubs & restaurants

The local pub is the Ferry Inn at Bodinnick, a twenty minute walk away or a five minute drive. It has a good atmosphere and pub food with a superb view down the river from the outside seating. The Ship Inn at Lerryn is a 15 minute drive, with good food and close by the river. There are also good local pubs in Fowey.

Fowey has an excellent selection of pubs and restaurants. David and Catherine recommend: 


Sam's -good 'young' busy atmosphere, bottled beer, seafood and home made burgers, but you can't book. 


The Red Herring -very small with seats outside, simple excellent food. 01726 833693


The Other place -good food, large, so good for families with a very good 'chippie' underneath. 01726 833636


The Old Quay –posh and pricey but good for a treat! 01726 833302


Jolly Jack' Deli -take-away sandwiches 


Pink Murphy's -good for lunch and cream tea, but small!

There are also good pubs which serve food at Lerryn, Lostwithiel (the Globe is worth a visit) Pelynt and Golant.

All about Lombard Farm

A family affair...

Lombard Farm is a family business run by David, Catherine and various Collin children. The Farm was bought sixteen years ago at auction, a nerve wracking experience, and was in a bad state of repair. Since then it has been slowly restored to its current state of tranquility and beauty.

David’s background is as an outdoor education specialist, with over twenty years of activity-related professional qualifications and experience. On the way he has picked up a Masters Degree in marine science, qualified as a Yacht Master, a British Canoe Union Coach, and is qualified by the Mountain Leader Training Board to lead groups on high moorland.

But most of all David enjoys life and has put what he really loves at the center of his world. He stays fit by leading a physically active life and has created a beautiful, welcoming place at Lombard. Perhaps most importantly his current lifestyle now gives him plenty of time to be with his three children.

Catherine is a chartered clinical psychologist with extensive experience of providing consultancy and training in areas of stress management, assertiveness, team-building and communication.

She runs her own well-established business Outlook Southwest, which provides a psychological input into a range of work places.

David freely admits that she is the steady one who keeps the Lombard lifestyle on an even keel. David and Catherine have three children, Eliza 18, (going on 25), Tamara 16, Tristan 12 as well as various animals, so Catherine's is more than a full time job!

Eliza loves acting, dancing and art and has just started studying at Falmouth University, Tamara is a proud vegetarian, loves fashion, all animals and hates maths (but just got a B so can’t be too bad). Tristan loves rugby, drumming and anything with wheels. They sometimes even like sailing with David. The animals just like food, which brings us to...

Wildlife & the environment

Sustainability has always been at the heart of the project. Thousands of trees have been planted for both fuel and fruit. A fine vegetable patch and a potting shed have been built, a bore hole dug for the lovely fresh Lombard water, and two barns converted. More recently solar hot water for the farmhouse and guest’s showers and solar photovoltaic cells for electricity have been installed.

Lombard Farm is in a small hamlet surrounded by other small farms and beautiful rolling hills and is within the Fowey River Valley AONB.

The farm sits in seven acres which are organically farmed, so there is plenty of wildlife. You will usually hear or see rabbits, beautiful barn owls, hedgehogs, numerous birds, bats and, if you are lucky, a dear or two, (usually nibbling at David’s newly planted trees!)

The farm is about four miles from the south coast, so on still nights you can hear the sound of breaking waves on the coast and even ships navigating up the nearby river.

Your holiday at Lombard will be carbon neutral; wood burners for heating, pv for electricity, bore hole for water and solar hot water for showers and you can walk where you need to go! David and Catherine also use eco friendly cleaning products and have full recycling facilities.