Tuesday 27 November 2012

Post New Year Relaxing Break in Cornwall ?

With the Festive Season fast approaching I don't suppose you have even given a thought to the inevitable Post New Year anti climax. It's always nice to have something to look forward to especially over the seemingly long Winter period. Merlin Farm is offering Post New Year Relaxing Breaks for the Girls from 4th Jan - 29th March (exc. Feb Half Term) in our 5* Eco Cottages.  Go on - treat yourself, you deserve it after all the cooking and entertaining over Christmas ! It's also nice to unwind after the Party Season and start the year in a positive way.
 
4 people pay £138 each when sharing an Eco Cottage (2 bedrooms: King & Twin) @ £552.50
 
3 nights Friday - Monday OR 4 nights Monday - Friday
 
Complimentary Bottle of Champagne (quote 'ladies Only' when booking)
 
The rate quoted is for 'luxury self catering accommodation only'. We recommend incorporating the following to create your perfect Post New Year Relaxing Break...
 
Book a 'Journey' at the Scarlet Spa (closed until 1 Feb).
 
Purchase a day spa pass (£15pp) at the Ocean Spa (Bedruthan Hotel - closed until 25 Jan) and treat yourself by adding a treatment or two and Lunch (3 Courses £15pp).
 
Book a treatment at the Emerald beauty Salon.
 
Ladies who Lunch - Lunch at Rick Steins or Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Restaurant ? Visit our Places to Eat page for more recommendations
 
Take an exhilarating walk along North Cornwall's Beaches and Coast Paths
 
Pick up some sale bargains in the fabulous shops in nearby Padstow

For more details please visit our Spa Breaks Page


Saturday 27 October 2012

Christmas Breaks Cornwall

Looking for Cornish Cottages for Christmas ? Stay at Merlin Farm at Mawgan Porth in Cornwall. You can expect a festive welcome with mince pies and Mulled wine, a festive treats hamper and each cottage has a real decorated Christmas tree. Click here for more information on Christmas Breaks Cornwall.

Christmas time is a wonderful occasion for spending time with family & friends. The build up to Christmas can also be fun, enjoy the dramatic North Cornwall coastline and Winter walks along one of the many beautiful beaches, join in the festive cheer with traditional local festivities



10% off Christmas & New Year Breaks.
Enter code: XMAS&NY2012 at checkout
Offer ends 31st October
(valid only on holiday dates 21 Dec 2 - 4 Jan 13)


Visit Merlin Farm Holiday Cottages Cornwall
 
 

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Merlin Farm Eco Cottage receives glowing review from Coast Magazine !


Merlin Farm Eco Cottage receives glowing review from Coast Magazine !

At the beginning of September we were delighted to host Alex Reece from Coast Magazine and her family in one of our Eco Cottages....

"These three glass-fronted holiday cottages, converted from disused barns, are a master class in eco luxe. Interiors are high-spec: walk-in showers, roll-top baths, wood-burning stoves and fluffy (bamboo) bathrobes. Equally impressive are the green credentials, including solar-powered hot water and under-floor heating from a ground-source pump. Young families will love the ‘Constantine’ cottage, with its outdoor play area and well-thought-out kit (a stroller, steriliser, toys and more) plus the opportunity to feed the farm animals. And it’s just a ten-minute walk through lush, Cornish countryside to the beach."
Alex Reece
Coast Magazine

This comes just weeks after being named in The Independent Newspaper as one of the '50 Best British Escapes'. Read the article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/travel/the-50-best-british-escapes-7936341.html




Visit our website: 
www.merlin-farm-cottages-cornwall.co.uk


Thursday 6 September 2012

Golfing Holidays in Cornwall

Looking for Self Catering Holiday Cottages near Golf Courses in Cornwall ?


Merlin Farm offers 4 &-5 star Holiday Accommodation within miles of many golf Courses on the stunning North Cornwall Coast. A Self Catering Golfing Holiday offers the maximum flexibility and the freedom to experience the many golf courses Cornwall has to offer in fabulous locations. Please find below a list of Golf Courses in Cornwall and the distances from Merlin Farm Holiday Cottages.



Bowood Park - 22.2 mi, 37 min. Lanteglos, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9RF
Bude & North - 40.5 mi, 1 hr 7 min. Cornwall Burn View, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8DA
Budock Vean - 35.8 mi, 1 hr 6 min. Nr Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5LG
Cape Cornwall - 45.9 mi, 1 hr 14 min. Cape Cornwall, St Just, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 7NL
Carlyon Bay - 20.2 mi, 37 min. Carlyon Bay, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3RD
China Fleet - 45.8 mi, 1 hr 8 min. Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6LJ
Clowance - 29.5 mi, 52 min. Praze an Beeble, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 0PT
Falmouth - 33.5 mi, 1 hr 2 min. Swanpool Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5BQ
Killiow - 21.9 mi, 46 min. Killiow Golf Park, Kea, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6AG
Lanhydrock - 20.8 mi, 35 min. Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club, Lostwithiel Rd, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5AQ
Launceston - 43.1 mi, 58 min. St Stephens, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8HF
Looe - 37.6 mi, 55 min. Bin Down, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1PX
Lostwithiel - 23.1 mi, 40 min. Lower Polscoe, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0HQ
Merlin - 0.5 miles, 1 min. Mawgan Porth, Nr Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4DN
Mullion - 37.2 mi, 1 hr 12 min. Cury, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7BP
Newquay - 6.8 mi, 19 min. Tower Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1LT
Perranporth - 13.5 mi, 33 min. Budnic Hill, Perranporth, Cornwall, TR6 0AB
Porthpean - 19.9 mi, 38 min. Porthpean, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6AY
Praa Sands - 40.8 mi, 1 hr 6 min. Praa Sands , Nr Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 9TQ
Radnor - 22.0 mi, 41 min. Radnor Road, Treleigh, Redruth, Cornwall, TR16 5EL
Roserrow - 19.2 mi, 33 min. G&CC; St. Minver, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6QT
St Austell - 18.8 mi, 38 min. Tregongeeves, Tregongeeves Lane, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 7DS
St Enodoc - 19.3 mi, 33 min. Rock, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6LB
St Kew - 15.4 mi, 24 min. St Kew Highway, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 3EF
St Mellion - 44.5 mi, 1 hr 8 min. St Mellion, Near Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6SD
Tehidy Park - 25.1 mi, 46 min. Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 0HH
Treloy - 6.1 mi, 14 min. Treloy, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 4JN
Trethorne - 39.4 mi, 51 min. Kennards House, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8QE
Trevose - 5.7 mi, 12 min. Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8JB
Truro - 20.2 mi, 41 min. Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LG
West Cornwall - 33.2 mi, 55 min. Lelant, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 3DZ
Whitsand Bay - 43.7 mi, 1 hr 4 min. Portwrinkle, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL11 3BU

Monday 16 July 2012

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

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 !



Monday 2 July 2012

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
Merlin Farm, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall TR8 4DN
+44 1637 860236
Book in advance for peak dates. Now taking bookings for 2013 !

Tuesday 29 May 2012

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

Wednesday 21 March 2012

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












Sunday 15 January 2012

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




Saturday 14 January 2012

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