Meet the owners: Stars and Embers Glamping

When thinking of a new holiday let business it is good to look for new trends and up and coming areas of the market. This gives you the opportunity to create an interesting and unique proposal for guests to enjoy, letting them sit back and escape day to day life while on staycation. 

We recently met up with Amber and Tony, the owners of Honey (Ref. 1026534) and Bumble (Ref. 1026537); two beautifully crafted glamping properties at Stars and Embers Glamping. A former cow pasture became a unique holiday experience in the form of a glampsite, set amongst the picturesque rolling hills of East Cornwall.

The start of their glamping journey began on Valentine’s Day, 2017.

Amber recounted where it all began; “We moved in on Valentine’s Day 2017, following a twelve-month search for a property in Cornwall, which had potential to be a family home together with the possibility for a glamping business. We were fortunate the property came with planning consent for two existing static caravans used by farmworkers. The local authority agreed with our view that safari tents would be more sympathetic to the stunning local landscape instead.”

“Following the financial crash in 2008, we were looking for a way to run our own business and one we could run as a family.  We had been glamping and felt it was a business we could enjoy running while offering guests a really good experience.”

What can guests expect from Stars and Embers glampsite?

“Our site offers a unique combination of tranquility, quality accommodation and convenient access to the very best Cornwall has to offer.”

Do you have a favourite part of the glampsite?

“We love our whole site; the views down the valley, the wild flowers, the stream, golden sunsets over meadow grass as it comes into seed. However, if you made us choose just one aspect of Stars and Embers, it would be relaxing in one of our wood-fired hot tubs, looking up at the stars”.

Any tips for off the beaten track things to do in the local area for guests?

“Stars and Embers guests have great access to attractions like Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, coastal villages such as Charlestown, St Mawes and Mevagissey as well as a host of beaches. There are also opportunities to go off the beaten track and enjoy a guided shoreline foraging session, go kayaking to hidden coves or visit the Hidden Hut for something to eat.”

What would you say has been your best feedback?

“The best and most frequent feedback is that as good as the site looks when booking, it exceeds expectations on arrival.”

How have Cornish Cottage Holidays been as your letting agents?

“The most important thing Cornish Cottage Holidays has done for Stars and Embers Glamping is to make our business visible to a massive market very quickly. In a difficult and unpredictable year, we are fully booked through July and August and taking bookings for September. We even have our first booking for 2021 too!”

What advice would you give to others who may be thinking of holiday letting/ glamping?

“To anyone thinking of starting their own glamping business, we would say go for it. Do your research, visit other sites, be clear what you want to offer. Above all else get planning advice. Different councils take differing approaches to glamping sites.”

What are your hopes and plans for the future of the glampsite?

“Our first hope for the future is that we see a swift solution to the current circumstances with Covid-19 and that society can return to some degree of normality, allowing holiday businesses to plan properly for 2021. For Stars and Embers Glamping, we are always looking for ways to improve the site. A wood-fired pizza oven to compliment our fire pit area is high on our list of ideas.”

You can sit back and watch the world go by from the comfort of your own veranda, submerged within your own private wood-fired hot tub or maybe take that morning coffee down by the stream, listening to the gentle burbling of water as it meanders by. The choice is yours.

The site is dog friendly, meaning you can bring your four-legged friends along so they too can enjoy the surrounding quiet countryside.

Each property comes furnished with a double bed, two single beds, a day-bed all draped in sumptuous bed linen. Venture outdoors to find the wood-fired hot tub, perfect to sit and soak as you watch the stars go by. Honey and Bumble both have their own enclosed shower room complete with toilet and washbasin. Perfect for cooking up a treat, make use of the wood-burning stove in the well-equipped kitchen. For those who cannot forego contact with the outside world, there are even plug sockets for charging phones.

The site also offers the opportunity of a yoga session with glampsite co-owner Tony from Tone Up Wind Down. You can relax and enjoy a truly unique outdoor yoga experience for the mind, body and soul.

You may choose to head down to the stream, where Amber and Tony have created a beautiful spot to enjoy the last of the sun’s rays and watch the night sky open up above you.

Snuggle up together under a warm blanket while reliving the stories of the day while toasting marshmallows on the fire.

We cannot wait to see what comes next for Amber and Tony in their successful glamping business and we wish them every success on this exciting venture.

To find out more about these two stunning glamping properties, visit Honey (Ref. 1026534) and Bumble (Ref. 1026537).