Clothes are Optional

Little Crugwallins, Cornwall, England

By Richard Burnham
May 2003 revisited 2004, 2006, 2009

Update October 2009: sad to say, economic pressures have forced the owners of Little Crug to 'go textile' and they will not be offering their facilities to naturists in 2010. The property is now marketed through Country Holidays (see references 25051, 25052 and 25053), and is also up for sale through Stags.

The place

Little Crugwallins (see their website) is a 2-hectare (5 acre) smallholding about 3 km west of St Austell, Cornwall. Rosemary and Rupert Adkins have created, on their home property, three units of comfortable and well-equipped self-catering accommodation for naturists. They have done just about everything in their power to create an enjoyable holiday experience - the only thing they can't fix is the weather!

The property is fairly central to Cornwall, and all the county's many visitor attractions are within about an hour's drive (subject to seasonal traffic). Nearby attractions include:

The Eden Project (about 13 km; when it is busy, the quickest way to get there is to get the bus from St Austell, as it can bypass the cars queuing to get in)
The Lost Gardens of Heligan (about 8 km)
Wheal Martyn China Clay Heritage Centre (about 5 km), which gives an insight into the traditional industry of the area
The fishing port of Mevagissey (about 8 km)
and the old port of Charlestown (about 5 km)

Naturism

There are extensive lawns and gardens, completely surrounded by fields (the Adkins' own on two sides) and trees, right next to the accommodation units and jacuzzi, so that visitors are not overlooked. Nudity is not allowed on the drive, and it is required in the jacuzzi. Apart from those rules, the Adkins 'leave it open to you to decide your degree of nudity according to the weather and personal choice'.

Polgaver beach at the time of writing is reported no longer available to naturists, but the unofficial Vault beach is nearby. For recent information, see NatCorn.

Getting there

Little Crugwallins is close to the A3058 St Austell - Newquay road. There is a station on the main Great Western line at St Austell. There are local bus services.

The Accommodation

There are currently three units of accommodation, two 2-bedrooms and one 1-bedroom. The rather unprepossessing exterior appearance (it used to house industrial workshops) conceals some of the best-equipped and most comfortable self-catering accommodation I have stayed in.

The unit we stayed in was Meadowside, which was new (we were only the second set of guests). It has a view over one of the fields, while the other two units, the Barn and the Cabin, overlook the gardens.

The equipment varies slightly from one unit to another, so it is a good idea to check exactly what is provided before packing. Meadowside included an electric oven, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, iron and hair dryer, TV and video, and a radio/CD player. Bedding is included, but you need to take towels. There were even small stocks of video tapes and books.

Heating is by electric night storage heating with a fan heater for backup heating; the other units have radiators. Apart from the heating, electricity is paid for through a coin meter.

The jacuzzi is available free of charge to guests at any time, but use after 22.30 is subject to approval by all guests, because of the noise.

Weather

This is Cornwall! We had several days in late May, dry but overcast at the start of the week, and sunny and warm at the end - just right for sitting in the garden. See here if you are an overseas visitor.

Shopping and eating out

There are no shops, pubs or restaurants within short walking distance, but there are some a short drive away, or by a walk via a country footpath.

Conclusion

We would definitely go here again. But you will need to book early, especially when the word gets around.