A wholesome weekend stay at Big Blue horsebox

Big Blue is even more spectacular in person than it is in pictures. The bright blue horse lorry was so inviting as it glistened in the early (and almost warm) evening light. As we stepped into our humble abode we instantly fell in love with the charming interiors. The scent of fresh daffs (kindly picked by the owner from their beautiful garden) filled the air and we were also greeted with some delicious homemade bakes, which was such a thoughtful touch. 

The space is a pocket-sized paradise. The elevated bed and stargazing roof has to be the highlight. The kitchen is perfectly equipped with everything we needed to prep and cook deliciously easy meals. Another amazing feature inside the lorry was the cosy wood-burner, wonderful for warming up after a brisk coastal walk. As we made ourselves at home, we went to explore the truly unique outdoor bathroom. The neighbouring, converted horsebox is host to the most soulful showering experience. With views out to the rolling countryside, fluffy dressing gowns and towels to wrap yourself up in on your return to the lorry (which is only footsteps away), we were totally sold on this bespoke bathing experience. With the quirky bathroom being separate from the main horse lorry, you might worry about having to pop your wellies on in the night to go to the toilet. Well not here, as the owners have carefully thought through every detail when converting Big Blue. The toilet is cleverly tucked away in the main horse lorry.

Positioned in between the lorry and horsebox is the dreamy woodfired hot tub. On arrival, the tub had already been heated for us, which was the most welcoming sight. After unpacking our indulgent food shop, we quickly poured ourselves a glass of bubbles, slipped into our bathing suits and hopped straight in. The view is just spellbinding. You look out to gently rolling hills and the neighbouring field that is host to the owner's charming alpacas and newly born spring lambs! The sweetest neighbours you could ever dream of. 

As we embraced the sunset from the hot tub, we watched the sky quickly transform from candy floss pink to the clearest glittering night sky we’d seen in a long time.  We even witnessed the beauty of a shooting star from the tub on our first night, which was a truly magical experience. 

After our first hot tub dip, we headed inside to light the wood-burner. With a never-ending supply of wood provided by the generous owners, there’s never any worry of getting cold! We indulged in some nibbles by the warmth of the flickering flames and then cooked a delicious prawn linguine, with a fresh chilli, garlic, white wine, and parsley sauce. We promise you, glamping never looked so good! 

As we let the fire slowly fade, we made our way up the ladder to our starlit, cosy double bed. The sky was unbelievably clear on both nights. St Kew has limited light pollution so providing the weather is calm, the visibility tends to be excellent. It was hard to close our eyes when the most spectacular view was right above us, but once we did drift off to dreamland, we had the most peaceful night’s sleep. 

Saturday morning at Big Blue was the definition of a golden moment. The warmth of the morning sunshine streamed through the double doors making the whole hideaway glow like the first day of spring. We enjoyed bountiful cups of tea in bed with the radio softly playing in the background and admired the alpacas and lambs, quietly grazing in the field out front. We whipped up a lavish lazy breakfast of scotch pancakes, fruit, and honey, followed by a refreshing alfresco shower, leaving us feeling rejuvenated and ready to explore the local area.

The first stop was St Kew Farm Shop. For the lovers of house plants, this is your botanical haven! A tropical paradise full of green goodness, gorgeous gifts, local produce and host to the prettiest café. We stopped for a spot of lunch, and it was absolutely delicious. We went for the local hake ciabatta (basically a very posh fish finger sandwich) and the veggie Thai curry. Both were so flavoursome, beautifully presented, and utterly scrumptious! The array of fresh cakes and bakes on display were too tempting, so we had to purchase a few to take away. St Kew Farm Shop is a must-visit when staying at Big Blue and just so you know, they even do takeaway pizza on Friday nights… you can thank us later. 

Next, we moved on the explore Port Isaac, famous for being featured in Doc Martin and home to the Fisherman’s Friends, this picturesque Cornish fishing village is an absolute delight. We parked quite far out of the village so we could enjoy the walk-in. The rugged coastline dazzled us with its pure beauty. A mosaic of aqua tones and glistening waters is the spectacular view we got to enjoy on our slow stroll along the footpath. We noticed there were still a lot of Christmas decorations up and as we were visiting in late February this seemed a little odd. However, as we overheard others talking, we soon realised this was due to the Christmas special of Doc Martin currently being filmed in the village. After wandering the cobbled streets and indulging in a little shopping, we stopped for a pint at The Golden Lion. Warm and inviting, we took a seat at the bar and enjoyed a moment by the warmth of the fire. 

When returning to Big Blue, we lit the woodfired hot tub and waited for the temperature is rise again. We embraced an afternoon of reading by the fire and playing our favourite card game, Gin Rummy. There is no TV at Big Blue, which we found added to the unique charm of this serene sanctuary. It really helped us to switch off from the outside world and reconnect with nature on a deeper level. 

We indulged in our cheese board with a smooth glass of red before sinking into the hot tub and enjoying our final night under the stars. 

Sunday morning came around and once again we were greeted by beautiful sunshine. Before we departed, we spoke to the owner who arranged for us to feed the friendly alpacas. They were so sweet, and it was such a lovely experience to end our time at Big Blue. 

Waving goodbye to our little wonder, we had one last place waiting to be explored…Saint Nectans Glen. 

Only 20 minutes from our hideaway is this truly magical, fairy-like Eden. You park in the local village and make your way by foot through enchanting woodland, along the banks of the river Trevillet. This journey through the Rocky Valley is a captivating experience. Steeped in history this magical area of Cornwall is a legend of fairy tales, piskies and spiritual encounters. As you arrive at the glen you are guided by the thoughtfully designed footpath leading you to one of the most magnificent waterfalls you’ve probably ever set eyes on. We removed our shoes and carefully made our way across the steppingstones, feeling truly immersed in nature's paradise. When you make your way around the corner the sight that greets you is breathtaking! At this sacred site, the ricer Trevillet has carved a hole through the Late Devonian slate, which has created the most impressive 60ft waterfall which has made a second hole in the original kieve (basin). The water now flows through the gorgeous valley that lies below. 

The Tree of Life Café is onsite and is well worth a visit. We refreshed with a delicious bowl of soup before making our way back through the woodland to the car. 

A visit to Saint Nectans Glen was the perfect way to end our dreamy escape to Big Blue and this utterly stunning area of North Cornwall. We came away feeling truly revived from our digital detox, relaxed from the peace and quiet and inspired to discover more hidden gems across our home county of Cornwall. 

Delve a little deeper into the magic of Big Blue here. And, head to our Instagram to see more videos and images of our time at this truly enchanting hideaway.