Bodmin Moor hotel opens eight wooden "hobbit house" cabins
Bodmin Moor hotel the Wheal Tor has opened eight wooden "hobbit house" cabins in its grounds, increasing the property's guest capacity by 40.
Located in the hotel's surrounding woods on 990-ft-high Caradon Hill, each wooden cabin has a double bed, and space to accommodate up to three extra people in camp beds. All share a shower block, a BBQ area and fire pit, and guests have access to the hotel's restaurant and other facilities.
They are intended to provide an alternative to camping on the moors, which is illegal.
The huts form part of the eight-bedroom hotel's overall refurbishment plans, which have been ongoing since husband-and-wife team Maxine and Mark Frost (pictured in front of the cabins, below) bought the property in 2012.
They have included a recently-built conservatory in the bar, renovation of the bedroom and bathrooms, and an infinity deck with views over the wood. There are also plans to build a traditional gypsy caravan camp elsewhere in the two and a half acre woodlands, and install a sauna and hotel tub in the gardens, by July this year.
Maxine Frost said: "Bodmin Moor hosts beautiful scenery but it is illegal for people to camp. Through the new Hobbit Houses, families and couples alike will be able to enjoy the next best thing."
The couple received funding from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to enact their plans.
The hotel's six bedrooms each have a personal name, including "the Stampers" and "the Seccombe", with facilities including TV, free Wifi, ensuite and bathroom underfloor heating. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, with live music some evenings, and can also help organise guest activities such as archery, cupcake decorating, dance lessons and bird of prey workshops.
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