Carnebo Barn

Trenoweth, Mabe, Falmouth, Cornwall TR10 9JJ

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Teaser text:

Want a taster of off-grid life? This newly-opened site in the rolling fields of Falmouth takes you far away from the stress of modern life. With great walks and a whole host of sea-borne activities on the doorstep, this is the latest word in camping cool.

This is based on a review from:

Cool Camping England Find out more

Cool Camping campsite review:

Back then it was known as dropping out. In the 1940s it was a slow boat to Tangiers. In the Sixties it was the hippie trail to Kathmandu in a clapped-out combi van. Nowadays it’s called going off grid and you can do it pretty much anywhere. Just shed the trappings of modern life and live as simply as possible. Some people even manage to do without money altogether, foraging for berries, trapping the odd rabbit and sleeping wherever they lay the worn-out hat they can’t afford to repair or replace.

Now that may be going a bit far when all you want is a weekend away but Carnebo Barn, in rolling fields just north of Falmouth, gives you a taster of the off-grid life because it’s got no electricity.

The place is owned and run by Rufus, a carpenter, and his partner Rebecca, a jazz cellist, and has only recently opened as an official campsite, though friends and family have been enjoying the place for years. The five acre smallholding up a very rough and ready track has a spacious, though slightly sloping, camping field in front of the barn, compost loos and solar showers and a communal fire pit with wooden seating with some awning to hide from the rain. What power there is comes from a small wind turbine whirring above a gorse bush (OK there’s a diesel generator as well for calm days but why spoil a good story?). A short walk down the hill from the site through thigh-high bracken you’ll find a glorious little swimming hole in a tiny quarry. Cold, deep and very discrete it’s the perfect place for a wake-me-up plunge in the morning or for cooling off after a long hot day of Cornwalling.

The idea is to attract walkers and cyclists and anyone else with the ingenuity to arrive without the aid of an internal combustion engine (although a pre arranged luggage pick up is offered) and it’s the perfect place to give it a go as there are public footpaths crisscrossing the countryside here so it is possible to get around just as well on Shanks’s pony. Penryn is just a couple of miles away and Falmouth a bit more of a six-mile hike, though there are plenty of local bus services as well.

It’s worth the trip down to Falmouth as it’s really quite a funky little town with a mix of surfers, students, posh yachters and tourists and an agreeably run-down feel. It’s a great base for sea-borne activities and there are some cracking beaches nearby if you prefer salt water to fresh. Elsewhere are all the coastal walks and glorious gardens for which Cornwall is famous.

But it’s the site itself that’s the main attraction. Rufus and Rebecca are charming and interesting hosts, eager to share stories round the fire of an evening, maybe break out into an improv music session and there are even plans to erect a screen in the field and have film evenings of French New Wave classics and the like. It’s all very cool and just sufficiently on-grid not to be too scary to soft city dwellers. After all you can still get Radio 4 on your wind-up radio and that’s always a sign of civilisation.

Cool factor:

Basic camping in a field with a log fire and charming hosts.

Who's in?:

Tents, walkers and cyclists – Yes. Well behaved dogs are fine (there are chickens around). Caravans, campervans, motorbikes, any thing with an internal combustion engine – No.

Onsite fun:

Tucked away in the bushes in what looks like a small Methodist chapel are the compost loos and there are solar showers in a corner of the field. There’s a cold water tap and some rudimentary tin tubs for doing a bit of washing up. There’s also a communal fire pit with wooden seating and a small canopied area just in case it rains.

Offsite fun:

You can start with the swimming hole a short walk from the campsite or try the nearby sea and boat trips from Falmouth. There are gardens galore, the nearest of which are Glendurgan (National Trust) and Trebah. Down by the wharf in Falmouth there’s the National Maritime Museum (01326 313388) with lots of salty goings-on.

Food & drink:

There are a few basic commodities for sale in the barn – eggs, milk and bread – otherwise it’s bring your own (there’s a large ASDA a couple of miles back down the road) or go to the Argal Farm shop (one and a half miles away). For a treat head into Falmouth for award winning burgers at 5 Degrees West (01326 311288) or try Miss Peapods Kitchen Café (01326 374424). In Penryn there’s the charming Little Yellow House (01326 377622). Accessible by public footpath in Constantine is the glasshouse café of Potager (01326 341258) though it’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays in the summer. Otherwise there are plenty of pubs and restaurants along the Flamouth wharfs, including a Latin place called Aquaviva (01326 377943).

The damage:

There’s a simple tariff of £7 per adult per night. Under 5s free and kids up to age 16 are £5. A pre-erected bell tent is available for £50 per night and sleeps four.

Open:

All year.

Visiting Falmouth? Spend less time planning your trip and more time enjoying it. Download Cool Places Falmouth, for the iPhone and iPad, and discover the best places to eat and drink, plus what to see and do when you get there.

You say

Reviews:

Carnebo Barn

BeccyReilly

- Visited on: 08/11

5

This really is a special place. We were lucky enough to have the Willow circle to camp in - just big enough for a 2 person tent and space to cook and store gear. Rufus and Rebecca are very welcoming in a gentle and not ostentatious way - you get a sense that you are welcome guests pitching up in their garden. The field has beautiful South-Westerly views and sunsets - weather permitting - and it really is so refreshing to see off grid living working as they make it work. There's a tin bath on offer, a brazier to use by the tent, and sacks of good burning hardwood for around £3, a lovely communal fire grate with an old sail for shelter, and running water... all you need if this is the kind of place that you'd be attracted to. And if you are, you'll probably fall for it. I'm not sure, but got the sense that they deliberately limit number of tents at any one time - perhaps to make sure everyone gets a flatish spot, but it really makes the stay special. If you stay here, visit the swimming quarry hole. If you can hold your nerve re the depth, swimming across it is truly magical.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 11/08/11
Carnebo Barn

myrtleco

- Visited on: 08/11

5

We stumbled across Carnebo Barn amidst a search for a peaceful low impact campsite in Cornwall. Happily, despite being disorganised enough not to book until the day before arrival there was a beautiful willow encircled pitch and perfectly empty field awaiting us. It was exactly the camping experience we were hoping for, but didn't think we'd find in the height of summer; remote, off-grid, friendly hosts, very friendly dog (with a penchant for burrowing for food inside and out of the tent - don't assume a zipped tent will deter her!), a beautifully crafted compost loo and nearby an enchanting water hole. If you ask Rufus nicely, he might even show you his inspired 'sunken bath in a yurt' creation!

This place encourages you to camp in harmony with nature, not in spite of it. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Until next time,

Myrtle & Julia

Review submitted on: 06/08/11
Carnebo Barn

rogermid

- Visited on: 06/11

5

We had a really remarkable time staying at Carnebo Barn - from the warm welcome, to the perfect pitch in the willow circle... we swam in the quary and spent nights around the fire. it was lovely to have the whole place to ourselves and Ela kept repeating the word enchanting ... again and again ... it got a bit much but she was right. By far the best campsite we've stayed in, it's one of those places where when you think you've seen it all but then you turn a corner and find something else amazing!

Thank you for a brilliant time,

Roger and Ela

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 20/07/11
Carnebo Barn

mriainpaterson

- Visited on: 08/10

5

Finding ourselves squished and waking up to screaming kids was not our idea of camping. After a long search we stumbled across the wonderful Carnebo Barn campsite. Greeted by Rufus and Fig (a very cheeky dog with a nose for sausages) we were warmly invited into our new home for the next two days. As recommended by Rufus, we pitched our tent in the charming willow tree circle which sheltered us from the wind and kept us warm and cosy. The site is basic to say the least, no cars, no noise, and no mod cons, but if you want to leave behind the city just like us, it hits the nail on the head. Enjoying a late night camp fire with the hosts themselves was a beautiful touch. Sharing stories and wine made us feel more than welcome. Rufus and Rebecca shared their knowledge of the area and gave us some amazing places to visit. So much about modern camping has been lost along the way; it’s nice when a simple place with warm people brings a sense of community back to the table, we will definitely be back.

See you next year,
Angela & Iain.
x

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 17/09/10
Carnebo Barn

hampei

- Visited on: 08/10

5

A truly wonderful campsite with the nicest toilet we have ever sat on, that even has a view.
The owners are very relaxed and are always willing to help and give tips on what to do in the surroundings. The dog is available for walks and likes to run with you or after sticks, though you will never see those sticks again.
There were no showers, but there is a small cool efficient old fashioned bath you can fill with warm water from the fire and of course the swimming hole which we took a dive in twice a day.

The only drawback was that there were quite a few prickly plants in the field, which you will have to remove around the tent if you want to play barefoot.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 07/09/10
Carnebo Barn

libbyfizzy

- Visited on: 07/10

4

It was an honour to be the first guests at Carnebo Barn. It was like returning to visit old friends. Rebecca and Rufus were the most amazing hosts, helpful and kind. The camping field is in a gorgeous spot with nothing to hear except the wildlife. We cooked on our own little campfire as well as the communal campfire, where we sat and heard Cornish folklore stories.The facilities are basic but that to me was part of the attraction.We were all impressed with the compost loo, which was a real fascination for the kids. My children absolutely loved it there and were very sad to leave. A return visit is definately on the cards. Ten out of Ten.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 04/08/10

Photos

Getting there

Pen and paper at the ready. From the A30 take the Truro exit. From Truro follow signs for Falmouth and at the Kernick roundabout (opposite the ASDA and B&Q superstores) take the Mabe Burnthouse exit. Go up the hill to what’s known locally as the ‘funny junction’ with red markings in the road. Turn left past the New Inn and follow the road through the village. At the end of the village (by Harmony Cottage on the left) the road turns sharp left. Almost hidden on the right is the entrance to a small lane. Take this lane until you reach some houses and the road veers to the right. There’s a small post box just on the left. Take the road that leads straight on and follow it until it becomes a track. Follow it all the way past some houses and over the brow of the hill. There are telegraph poles on the left and just where the phone line crosses over the road to the last pole on your right is the entrance to the campsite. Phew.

Public transport:

By train: Take the Falmouth branch line to Penryn Station from Truro (half hourly service). Opposite the station take the no 68 bus to Mabe and follow directions as below.

By bus: From London - National Express offer a daily service (number 504) from Victoria Bus Station departing at 11am and arriving in Falmouth at 18.55
From Falmouth - From Falmouth Moor there are two services to Mabe, the no.68 and no.2
From Penryn - Take the no 68 from Penryn station.

On Foot: From Mabe Bus stop walk into village towards the New Inn Pub. Keep the New Inn Pub on your left and follow the road through the village. At the end of the village (by Harmony Cottage on the left) the road turns sharp left. Almost hidden on the right is the entrance to a small lane. Take this lane until you reach some houses and the road veers to the right. There’s a small post box just on the left. Take the road that leads straight on and follow it until it becomes a track. Follow it all the way past some houses and over the brow of the hill. There are telegraph poles on the left and just where the phone line crosses over the road to the last pole on your right is the entrance to the campsite.