Special feature: Gwel an Mor, Cornwall, UK

Last summer we enjoyed a very relaxing week at the five star Gwel an Mor resort on the outskirts of Portreath in mid Cornwall. After a pleasant welcome, we settled into lodge number 40, also known as ‘Tehidy’. All the lodges are named after the local area and Tehidy Country Park is a 250-acre estate not far away.

Despite there being just the four of us, our lodge could easily sleep six people and so presented us with more than ample space. We enjoyed a sea view and comfortable accommodation that consisted of three bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs and an open plan kitchen, dining area and living room upstairs.

The lodges also have outdoor decking and balconies and some have hot tubs too. Perched high above Portreath, the resort is well positioned for a variety of things to do whether it be spending time on the beaches, coastal walks, or visiting local attractions. The Eden Project – home to the world’s largest greenhouse – is about an hour away.

And if you prefer not to venture too far away, facilities at the resort are good. There is the Terrace Restaurant & Bar (open to both residents and locals alike), serving far better fayre than your average pub but without being so stuffy that you would feel uncomfortable with children. Gwel an Mor is, afterall, a family friendly resort.

Also on site is a spa with views over the Atlantic, a gym and an indoor swimming pool. All useful facilities but for us one of the big bonuses – and a unique selling point for Gwel an Mor – was the resort’s own resident wildlife expert, Gary Zammit. We went rockpooling with him and it proved to be a great experience for the children.

Impressed, we headed straight for the site office to see what else was available. Although Gary looked to be ‘booked up’ for the remainder of the week, we made enquiries and he kindly squeezed in an additional wildlife tour for the four of us the following day. If you stay and are faced with the same predicament, do make enquiries and they will try to accommodate you.

Gary is a very interesting person. Not only has he taught an orphaned heron to fly but he also cares for a host of other animals. His wildlife experience was well-pitched so that it was both interesting to adults and engaging for youngsters. Our two boys – aged just 5 and 3 – enjoyed some wonderful opportunities: they hand-fed one of the foxes, flew Sly the Barn Owl, handled a grass snake and much more.

We really enjoyed our stay at Gwel an Mor and would recommend it for a great family holiday. Plans could be afoot to add more lodges to the resort. If this is to go ahead, hopefully it can be achieved without adversely affecting Gwel an Mor’s charm.