Meet your hosts

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

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 has now added The Curve, a second pod, though has no plans to expand further keeping the site very low-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