A festive invitation to Coombe Mill
When I started writing Tin Box Traveller, one of the first blog linkys I came across was #CountryKids run by Fiona at Coombe Mill in Cornwall. A linky is a place where bloggers share their posts with people who have similar interests. I run the Monday Escapes linky with fellow travel bloggers Extraordinary Chaos, Mini Travellers and Travel Loving Family.
But back to #CountryKids… As the name suggests it’s all about outdoor family adventures. It was and still is somewhere I get a lot of inspiration for our day trips in the UK. It also introduced me to the wonderful holidays at Coombe Mill, which has a collection of lodges and holiday cottages nestled in a valley on the edge of Bodmin Moor. As well as providing guests with a beautiful location and family-friendly accommodation, there’s farm animal feeding, activities and model train rides almost every day.
Fiona who runs Coombe Mill somehow also manages to write an award-winning blog and manage the popular linky. She’s been asking us to visit for quite some time and, after meeting her in person at a blogging conference last June, I promised we would. The opportunity came at Christmas. Christmas Eve in fact.
Christmas Eve at Coombe Mill
We joined Fiona and her guests for an afternoon of festive crafts, a Christmas treasure hunt around the estate and a train ride to meet Santa ahead of his very busy night. The girls also enjoyed letting off a bit of steam on Coombe Mill’s play area, which I’m sure had something to do with a relatively easy bedtime later on.
It was wonderful to finally see a place and experience some of the activities I’ve read about so many times before. Thank you to Fiona and the Coombe Mill team for inviting us to share in a small part of their Christmas celebrations.
Have you holidayed at Coombe Mill? I’d love to hear about your highlights.
![[AD] Continuing our 2019 highlights, here’s another nod to our week in Wales in the summer.
I don't think a day passed when I didn’t say or think ‘I miss this’. We had a caravan for four years before we sold it because we couldn’t use it as much as we wanted to. This summer we borrowed and reviewed a @baileyofbristol Phoenix 650, and loved it (click on the link in my smart.bio for the full review).
Our days were spent exploring in South Wales, returning to the caravan for amazing views from our @campandcaravan site in Llanelli, sparking up the barbecue and enjoying a glass of wine stretched out on the sofa while the girls were snuggled up in their bunk beds. Bliss!!
Next up in my highlights, I’m going to be taking you back to 🇮🇹
#caravanlife #BaileyofBristol #yourholidayyourway
#familytravel #travelwithkids #familyjaunts #ftb100 #familytravelblog #ukexplore #VisitWales #explorerkids #findyourepic #llanelli #caravan #walesadventure #campingadventures #writetotravel #outdoorfamily #Snaphappybritmums #lovelifeoutside #travelinspiration #tinboxwales #instatravelling #igerswales #travelawesome #travelwithkids #myhappycapture #familytrip #discovercymru #Bailey](https://tinboxtraveller.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
I really want to try and get to Coombe Mill. I think my two would love it! Looks like you had really fantastic and festive time! #FamilyFun
It was a lovely afternoon. We’d love to go for a stay too. It’s just getting the timings to work. It would be lovely to go out of the peak season as we don’t have far to travel but from September we’re more restricted. Blinking school holidays!
I love Fiona’s blog too and you are right – just how does she manage to juggle everything? Looks like you all had a ball! #familyfun
After seeing her running around Coombe Mill keeping everyone entertained and happy I now know she is super woman!! 🙂
I follow Coombe Mill on Instagram/twitter etc. They post some lovely pictures from there and I would love to go. My children are older so I am not sure if it would be there kind of thing, but I would love a day there. Your pictures are fab and it looks like you had a lovely time.
#FamilyFun
Thank you. It was a lovely afternoon. It is definitely good for younger kids with so much for them to do. I think I’d also like to go for a couple’s holiday. It was such a relaxing place to be
I’m so pleased you managed to find time to pop in and see us and join in with some of our activities. The train is great for special occasions with Christmas and Halloween being perfect for transforming the tunnel into a themed grotto. We were so lucky with the weather on Christmas Eve too, may be you were my lucky weather charm. You may need to come every year!
Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Foot to Floor And Off We Zoom
Ha! Sadly I don’t bring good weather with me everywhere. It was such an improvement on last year when we moved to the South West. Then it was blowing a gale. Thanks again for inviting us!
Yes I totally agree that Fiona is brilliant! I don’t know how she manages it but probably is that she is kind, friendly and just really genuine! Definitely something to aspire to as a blogger!!
Your photos are sooo good, I do look on at fancy cameras with a touch of jealousy but I can totally see the difference between my phone pics and yours from that day!! I need to train my Mr up in photography too, yours has captured some brilliant shots! It was great to meet you too
Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Exploring Creativity #FamilyFunLinky
Totally right about Fiona! Kindness goes a long way. We’d just got a new lens off eBay and that’s made such a big difference. I still take a lot of photos with my phone, especially when it’s just me and the girls. Juggling a camera with kids can be a bit of a nightmare. Fab to meet you too and to read about your stay.
Ah I haven’t been. It I have read a few posts and it looks fab. What a cool day to go, Christmas Eve must have been fab, my two would have absolutely loved the train and craft afternoon. Glad you got to visit and had a good time, it looks lovey! Thank you for joining us at #familyfun xxa
We did time our visit really well. It was a lovely afternoon
Your post makes me want to go to Coombe Mill – even though we’d have to cross the Irish Sea to get there! For looking at Coombe Mill’s social media, I’m not surprised one bit that Fiona is a super woman 😉 x
She somehow manages to be everywhere at once 🙂
Looks like an amazing place. You pictures make me want to go visit! Will have to go have a nosey and read more information on it 🙂
It is such a popular place for families with loads of crafty and outdoor activities. Definitely worth learning more about it!
Seems like you had just as much fun as your kids did, especially on that train ride. Love the overall feel of this place from the details and photos you shared with us