Holiday at Coombe Mill

I am on holiday at the stunning Coombe Mill in Cornwall, courtesy of the bloggers who clubbed together as part of the #S2S2D campaign to support me through my radiotherapy, and the team at Coombe Mill. So who better to write a post on my blog today, than Fiona, the lovely lady who owns Coombe Mill with her husband.

Emma is on holiday this week and kindly asked me if I would like to guest post for her in her absence. Since her holiday is staying with us at Coombe Mill I thought I would reflect on a few of the things I hope she and the family will be enjoying right now!

Waking up in the morning to the sound of the river, the chickens and the sheep is the dreamiest of beginnings to a day. The biggest worry for Emma as she takes in the country sounds will be “Am I in time to get the children ready for the tractor ride?” 9am may sound like the middle of the day if you have young children, but on holiday times takes on a dimension all of its own; so often I have heard parents say “Sorry we missed the tractor today, we all slept in, this never happens at home”. That’s the power of holidays, a good dollop of outdoor fun and relaxing as a family.  I hope Emma will be saying this one morning, but I also hope there will be mornings when the whole family come along to enjoy our special morning feed run. With 30 acres and twelve different animal breeds to help feed from Deer and Donkeys to chickens and rabbits it can take a good chunk of the morning, but in holiday mode with the children learning , questioning Farmer Nick and loving helping out, it is never a chore.

Holiday friendships can make all the difference for children and grownups at Coombe Mill. With three outdoor play areas and an indoor play barn there is plenty of chances to pick up on early friendships formed on the feed run.  I think Emma’s three children are all going to find something they love in one of these, but for a change they might play down by the river. Pooh sticks from the bridge, wellies to paddle in the streams or even just jumping over and splashing in the ford can while away hours of holiday fun.

Emma if you can tear the children away from the farm then there are some local activities I hope you will try. We have beaches to die for with golden sands, rock pools and clear blue waters. No need to be cold, just borrow some wet suits from our reception. There is even a sun tent and fishing nets to be found there. Polzeath, Trebarwith and Daymer Bay are ones I hope you will enjoy.

No holiday is complete without some fish and chips. We have Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop at Padstow, why not hire bikes and tag along trailers at Bridge Bike hire in Wadebridge and enjoy a stunning 5k ride along the Camel Trail; an old converted railway line beside the estuary to Padstow. All off road on an easy surface and no parking hassle and best of all the fish and chips taste so delicious after the exercise!

My third tip would be Lappa Valley, a delightful 3 in 1 train experience with plenty of open space, play areas, boating and crazy golf. I’m sure it will be a winner for your children just as it has been for mine over the years. However I would save this treat till later in the week as new for this summer we have our very own Coombe Mill Railway.

Whatever Emma and the family get up to during the day I do hope that some afternoons they will make it back to Coombe Mill for 4pm to enjoy our train rides. Listen out for the whistle and climb aboard.

Al fresco dining is always a treat and perfect when time is unimportant. With big open BBQs for socialising and sharing, or mini ones for private garden evenings supper is always a fun family occasion; even a shower of rain is no problem with our indoor BBQ hut, warm and dry and a treat all year round.

After all that fresh air I hope that Emma you will enjoy a little glass or two watching the sun fade over the valley. No wonder by morning it will be a rush to make the tractor ride by 9am again!