Two-storey. Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC, 1 x super-king-size, 1 x twin. Bathroom with walk-in shower, basin, and WC. Cloakroom with basin and WC. Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area, and sitting area with woodburning stove
Medlands, a two-storey lodge, consists of an open-plan living space with a double electric oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, dining seating, Smart TV, and woodburning stove. The bedrooms include a king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC, a super king-size, and a twin. There is also a bathroom with walk-in shower, basin, and WC, and a separate cloakroom. A cot and highchair are available on request. On-site, you’ll find EV chargers available on the site car park for an additional fee, a spa, outdoor and indoor heated pool, gym, beauty treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, farm, indoor playroom, outdoor playground, restaurant, Summer tractor safaris, South West Coast Path access, and a traffic-free cycling route on the Camel Trail. WiFi, fuel, power, bed linen, and towels are included in the rent. Outside, there is a fenced garden with furniture and barbecue area. Designated parking for 1 car with on-site car park available. Two well-behaved pets welcome at a charge of 13GBP per pet per night. Sorry, no smoking. Medlands is your starting point for a memorable Cornish stay.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
