Merlin Farm Eco Cottages in Cornwall makes it into 'The 50 Best British Escapes !'

Merlin Farm Eco Cottages in Cornwall makes it into

'The 50 Best British Escapes !'

We are delighted to have been included in The Independents recent article

'The 50 Best British Escapes'.

Click below to see the article

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/travel/the-50-best-british-escapes-7936341.html

We still have Availability this Summer between the dates of 20 and 27 July, click here for more details: www.merlinfarm.co.uk

Have a Great Summer !

Special Offers and Late Availability for Cottages this Summer in Cornwall

Special Offers and Late Availability for Cottages this Summer in Cornwall

Click here to see our Holiday Cottages in Cornwall

5 star Eco Cottages within a short walk of beautiful Mawgan Porth beach !

Cottage sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Save upto £145 off week 20-27 July 2012
7 nts was £1695, now £1550. Arrive Fri 20th July
6 nts £1400. Arrive Sat 21st July
5nts £1250. Arrive Sat 21st or Sun 22nd July

http://www.merlinfarm.co.uk/eco.htm

Merlin Farm, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall TR8 4DN

+44 1637 860236

Book in advance for peak dates. Now taking bookings for 2013 !

Merlin Farm Eco Cottages in Cornwall are Highly Commended at Green Tourism Awards

Founded by the internationally renowned Green Tourism Business Scheme, the Goldstar Awards honour those businesses and organisations that have done the most to promote sustainability within the industry by implementing cost-saving practices that help the environment, improve customer services and benefit the bottom line. They form part of Green Tourism Week which ran from 21st to 27th May 2012 and the winners were chosen from over 2,300 green tourism companies assessed for their innovation, cost savings and green ambassadorship during 2011-2012. This years Green Tourism Goldstar Awards Ceremony took place on 25th May in Edinburgh.

The Old Rectory B&B in Boscastle, Cornwall was presented with the Goldstar Award for the ‘Best B&B/Guest House’. Other Cornish tourism businesses praised in The Goldstar Awards ceremony was Merlin Farm Eco Cottages, the stylish eco-hotel- The Scarlet, and Camping Caradon Touring Park, who were all Highly Commended in their respective categories.

Lucy Wheeler of Merlin Farm Eco Cottages enthuses: "When we began renovating our redundant farm barns it seemed obvious to proceed in the most environmental, sustainable and conservational way. The finished product not only provides guests with an eco-friendly holiday but educates them too. It's all the little things that make a big difference and we are proud of what we have achieved. We were delighted to be in the running for a Goldstar by scoring in the top 2% of GTBS businesses and we are overjoyed to be Highly Commended and recognised for our commitment to green tourism."

Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service, adds: “This collective of four businesses are true role models for others in the industry, in Cornwall as well as across the country, and offer inspiration for environmentally friendly practices. The Old Rectory’s Goldstar award, along with the three equally impressive Highly Commended accolades, go a long way to putting Cornwall on the UK sustainable map and showcases our strategy for mindful growth of the visitor economy.”

For further information on the GTBS,the Goldstar Awards and Green Tourism Week please visit www.green-business.co.uk or www.facebook.com/greentourismweek.

www.merlinfarm.co.uk
www.ecocottagescornwall.co.uk

Green Tourism Awards

Merlin Farm Eco Cottages has been shortlisted for the Green Tourism Business Scheme Goldstar Awards 2012 !

The shortlist is compiled from the highest scoring Gold graded businesses from 2011 representing the greenest 2% of the total 2400 GTBS membership. The awards will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Edinburgh on Friday 25th May.

Also up for grabs is the 'Peoples Choice' award for the shortlisted business that earns the most 'likes' on the Green Tourism Facebook Page. To vote for our business click on this link and 'like' the photo of our Eco Cottages.


To view our Green Policy please visit www.merlinfarm.co.uk/green.htm

Easter Fun in Cornwall for Families 2012

EASTER EGG TRAIL AT ANTONY HOUSE 6th, 8th and 9th April Follow the clues around the garden to complete the trail and earn your chocolate treat. We did this last year and had a great time, please see post http://merlinfarm.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html Price: All Tickets £2 (per trail) http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-antony EASTER GARDEN TRAIL AT LANHYDROCK HOUSE 31 March - 15 April    Find all the clues to win an Easter themed prize Price: All Tickets £2. 10:00am to 5:00pm http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lanhydrock/ EASTER TRAIL AT TREBAH GARDENS 24th March - 15th April A sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop. One of the Great Gardens of Cornwall and rated among the 80 finest gardens in the world. Normal admission applies plus £2 per trail to include a special prize. http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/ EASTER FAMILY FUN TRAILS AT PENDENNIS & TINTAGEL CASTLES 31 March - 15 April Can you crack our clues to complete this ‘egg-citing’ trail? Find the missing eggs around the grounds to be rewarded with a yummy Easter prize. Also take part in our egg-tra special craft activities, for all the family. Normal admission prices apply 10am -5pm (4pm Sat)  http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/  and http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/tintagel-castle/ TIME TRAVELLERS GO... SECRETS & SPIES   9-13 April Calling all super sleuths, secret agents, and investigators! Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguising yourself and cracking codes and clues. Normal admission prices + £1 per child for the spying activities 11am - 5pm http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/ We'll add more events as soon as we find out about them ! MERLIN FARM STILL HAS AVAILABILITY FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAYS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR PRICES AND AVAILABILITY HTTP://WWW.MERLINFARM.CO.UK

10 things to do this Feb Half Term in Cornwall !

When guests come to stay at Merlin Farm, we like to give some pointers so that they get to see and visit the best places in Cornwall. Here are just a few, perfect for a fresh February stay......(some are weather permitting, obviously !)

1. Take a walk along the North Cornwall Coastline. Walk direct from Merlin Farm to Mawgan Porth Beach, then choose which direction you want to walk: to Watergate Bay (call i
n to the Beach Hut cafe for an Extreme Hot Chocolate !) or Bedruthan Steps (where you'll find Carnewas Tea Rooms where in our opinion serve the best Cream Teas in Cornwall !)


2. Hire a bike and cyle the Camel Trail. Or you can walk. Follow the beautiful Camel Estuary from Wadebridge to Padstow. Reward yourself with a proper Cornish Pasty from the Chough Bakery (award winning pasties !) and some fudge (white chocolate coated Baileys fudge is my favourite !)


3. Ice Skating at the Eden Project. The Eden Project in itself is a must see attraction in Cornwall, and their Ice Skating Rink is open until the end of Half Term (we rccommend you book your slots online to avoid disappointment).


4. Get on a Train and visit St Ives for the day. You can drive straight there, but personally we prefer to get the Train and enjoy the sights leading up to St Ives. We suggest parking at Lelant (free parking at station). There are some lovely places to eat and drink (Porthminster Cafe), lovely shops and the Tate Gallery.


5. Visit Lanhydrock House. You can drive to this National Trust House near Bodmin, or to make more of an adventure of it by parking at Bodmin Parkway Railway Station and walking along the old Coach lane (about 30-40 mins).


6. Horse Riding. Take a Beach Ride on Perranporth: Reen Manor Riding Stables, Perranporth, TR6 0AJ, 01872 573064 or a Ponk Trek along the Ganel Estuary in Newquay: Trenance Riding Stables, Trenance Lane, Newquay TR7 2HU, 01637 872 699.


7. Visit Newquay Zoo. Get closer to over 130 species at award winning Newquay Zoo! Feed a Lemur Experience and Penguin encounters. See the penguins relaxing in their pool, visit the creepiest crawlies in the atmospheric tropical house, watch the big cats get their lunch and learn more about conservation. Animal encounters and exciting keeper talks as well as activity trails, face painting, children’s play area and Dragon maze offer plenty to keep people of all abilities and ages occupied – a perfect day out for the whole family!


8. Go to the Movies. Newquay Cinema (or Wadebridge) is always a good back up plan for rainy days ! For whats on visit http://wtwcinemas.co.uk/nqytim.htm


9. Visit St Michaels Mount. Walk along Marazion Beach at Mounts Bay and across the causeway at lowtide to this iconic National Trust Island.


10. Visit Fowey. We love this place for its charming tiny Cornish streets, Readymoney Cove, St Catherines Fort and the passenger Ferry across to Mevagissey.


Merlin Farm is perfectly located centrally in Cornwall making everywhere in the County accessable within a day drip  !

Check availability at Merlin Farm Holiday Cottages now http://merlinfarm.co.uk/rates.htm

Dog Poo Composter !

Here we show how we made a dog poo composter using reclaimed materials 

First Darrel digs the hole.....(about 8 ft)
A layer of hardcore is added to aid drainage and dispersal of composted matter

Then 10mm holes were drilled around the sides of the plastic water barrel.

A hole was cut out of the top to accommodate the 6" pipe, fastened around the edges with 'L' brackets

(the bottom of the barrel has no bottom by the way)

The poo composter is then lowered into the ground

and backfilled.......

And here we have it ! Our exciting new dog poo composter.

Sacks / bags must not be used, as it prevents the composter from working efficiently, scoops are provided