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As Victoria and Albert's nine children grew up and ...Just sometimes here at South Penquite Farm on the edge of Bodmin Moor, when it's long gone midnight and there's the sound of rustling in the undergrowth, you might find yourself wondering whatever happened to the Beast of Bodmin Moor?
Supposedly a large wildcat that had either escaped from a sci-fi lab or was a throwback to some kind of sabre-toothed ancestor, it was reputed to prowl the moor scaring the wits out of anyone unlucky enough to cross its path. The story was at its height some years ago and the hoo-ha has died down, but when you're creeping to the loo in the middle of the night and hear a twig snap behind you, you'd better pray the big cat hasn't come back looking for a midnight snack.
Come daylight and you can forget all about it — safety in numbers and all that - and just enjoy the site. It's a fully certified organic farm and takes sustainability very seriously, from using solar energy to recycling everything, even yogurt pots.
Numbers are limited in the camping fields so you shouldn't ever feel penned in. Or if you fancy a bit of luxury you can opt for one of the Three Bears: the Mongolian yurts that occupy a separate field. Daddy Bear's the biggest and sleeps six; then there's Mummy Bear, who sleeps four; and Baby Bear, a snug little place for two.
There's walking galore to be had around the 200-acre farm, and plenty of ducks and hens and horses to entertain the kids, too. Or you can lace up your boots and strike out on to the moor. If you dare...
COOL FACTOR Location, location, location.
WHO'S IN? Tenters and vanners, but no doggies (they don't tend to mix well with the animals).
ON SITE Campfires allowed and wood can be purchased from the farm. New facilities have been installed since the last edition: a shower block with roomy showers, a loo block (watch out for the psychedelic panels made from recycled pencils), with a disabled toilet and shower and covered washing-up areas. There are even bushcraft courses (£20 per person), including the art of fire making. You can also walk the South Penquite trail around the circumference of the farm, taking in standing stones, stone circles, a canyon, and a quarry.
OFF SITE Explore various trails across Bodmin Moor on horseback from Hallagenna Farm (01208 851500; www.hallagenna.co.uk). There are pony treks, which are ideal for kids (over 5), or hacking and trail rides for the more experienced.
FOOD AND DRINK Sausages and burgers are available from the farm to cook over your open fire, but if you fancy something else there's an award-winning pub in the village of Blisland, about a mile away: the Blisland Inn (01208 850739).
GETTING THERE As you head west into Cornwall on the A30 just short of Bodmin the dual carriageway narrows to a single lane. There's a right turn signposted St Breward. Follow this road over the moor for 2 ½ miles until you see the large South Penquite sign by a rough track on the right.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT The closest you can get really is Bodmin Parkway railway station, but it's nearly 10 miles away.
OPEN May-October.
THE DAMAGE Tent/campervan plus 2 people £14 per night. Additional adult £7; child (5 to 16) £3.50, under-5s free. A week in a yurt Ј220-Ј360 (depending on which yurt and season). There's a new wooden pod available for £25 a night.
Supposedly a large wildcat that had either escaped from a sci-fi lab or was a throwback to some kind of sabre-toothed ancestor, it was reputed to prowl the moor scaring the wits out of anyone unlucky enough to cross its path. The story was at its height some years ago and the hoo-ha has died down, but when you're creeping to the loo in the middle of the night and hear a twig snap behind you, you'd better pray the big cat hasn't come back looking for a midnight snack.
Come daylight and you can forget all about it — safety in numbers and all that - and just enjoy the site. It's a fully certified organic farm and takes sustainability very seriously, from using solar energy to recycling everything, even yogurt pots.
Numbers are limited in the camping fields so you shouldn't ever feel penned in. Or if you fancy a bit of luxury you can opt for one of the Three Bears: the Mongolian yurts that occupy a separate field. Daddy Bear's the biggest and sleeps six; then there's Mummy Bear, who sleeps four; and Baby Bear, a snug little place for two.
There's walking galore to be had around the 200-acre farm, and plenty of ducks and hens and horses to entertain the kids, too. Or you can lace up your boots and strike out on to the moor. If you dare...
COOL FACTOR Location, location, location.
WHO'S IN? Tenters and vanners, but no doggies (they don't tend to mix well with the animals).
ON SITE Campfires allowed and wood can be purchased from the farm. New facilities have been installed since the last edition: a shower block with roomy showers, a loo block (watch out for the psychedelic panels made from recycled pencils), with a disabled toilet and shower and covered washing-up areas. There are even bushcraft courses (£20 per person), including the art of fire making. You can also walk the South Penquite trail around the circumference of the farm, taking in standing stones, stone circles, a canyon, and a quarry.
OFF SITE Explore various trails across Bodmin Moor on horseback from Hallagenna Farm (01208 851500; www.hallagenna.co.uk). There are pony treks, which are ideal for kids (over 5), or hacking and trail rides for the more experienced.
FOOD AND DRINK Sausages and burgers are available from the farm to cook over your open fire, but if you fancy something else there's an award-winning pub in the village of Blisland, about a mile away: the Blisland Inn (01208 850739).
GETTING THERE As you head west into Cornwall on the A30 just short of Bodmin the dual carriageway narrows to a single lane. There's a right turn signposted St Breward. Follow this road over the moor for 2 ½ miles until you see the large South Penquite sign by a rough track on the right.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT The closest you can get really is Bodmin Parkway railway station, but it's nearly 10 miles away.
OPEN May-October.
THE DAMAGE Tent/campervan plus 2 people £14 per night. Additional adult £7; child (5 to 16) £3.50, under-5s free. A week in a yurt Ј220-Ј360 (depending on which yurt and season). There's a new wooden pod available for £25 a night.