Cornish Tipi Holidays

Tipi site

Cornish Tipi Holidays is camping, but not as most of us would recognize it. For one thing, there's not a tent in site, it's strictly tipis (or, if you prefer, teepees) constructed in authentic North American style with unbleached canvas on a framework of locally sourced wooden lodge poles.

Then there's the location. Tregildrans, near Port Isaac, is a former quarry which has reverted to a beautiful natural woodland valley. There's an abundance of wildlife, a lake, and it's the perfect place for kids to discover what life can be like when unplugged from a Playstation.

The tipis are sited individually, in small groups of two or three, as here, and there's a village with around twelve tipis. So whether you're looking for a bit of privacy, want to camp with friends and extended family, or get to know other temporary tipi dwellers, you can find something to suit. Inside you'll find colourful rug-covered floors, a coolbox for your cool stuff and a camp stove if the whole open fire thing seems a bit over the top just for a cup of tea.

Facilities are basic - the emphasis here is on adventure rather than luxury, though there are some concessions to comfort like purpose-built flush loos and hot showers.

Say what you like about British summers, we shot these panoramas on the first day of May 2007 in the middle of a week of virtually unbroken sunshine and temperatures in the twenties.