If you are thinking of visiting the superb Eden Project near St Austell, Cornwall, and need accommodation (it's a 4 and a half hour drive from London), then you should visit 'Keith's Eden Project Web Site'. It's an unofficial site, but it is very informative and has a section on places to stay close to the attraction. I found a little Bed and Breakfast called 'Lynnwood' on page two of that section of his site: http://www.eden-project.co.uk/places-to-stay2.htm

Lynnwood is a large bungalow, set in ten acres of woodland and landscaped gardens. There are bunny rabbits running around all over the place! It is located just off the A390 in a valley, and is only 3 miles from the Eden Project, which amounts to a 5-10 minute drive, and is situated 1/4 mile from the village of Lanlivery.

The property is owned by Amanda and Martin Penk. It is their family home, which they also run as a B&B offering three rooms. There is one double room with ensuite bathroom, tv, and coffee making facilities. The other two rooms (a double and a twin) have their own shared bathroom, and a small communal sitting area outside the rooms with tv and drink-making facilities.

It is a well presented, large property with plenty of on-site parking. The rooms and bathroom are clean and modern, and the owners are polite and helpful.

Breakfast, which can be served at a mutually agreeable time, takes place at tables located in a corner of the family's living room. You can help yourself to a range of cereals and orange juice. On the day I stayed, the English breakfast which followed consisted of a fried egg, one sausage, two rashers of bacon, and a grilled tomato, with tea or coffee. All were well cooked and tasted good. Finally, as much wholemeal toast as you wanted, with real butter, strawberry jam and marmalade. All very pleasing and palatable.

The evening meal that we had the night before was in the village of Lanliv
ery, just 1/4 mile away, at The Crown Inn. It is a superb establishment that serves wonderful food. Being literally a 1-2 minute drive away it is ideal after you arrive tired from many hours of travelling. Apparently it is advisable to pre-book, and Mr and Mrs Penk will do this for you if you request so.

Lynnwood would be impossible to find without good directions from the A390, and happily the Penks will send, or email, you a set which appear complex, but make good sense when you are on the roads!

The price for Bed & Breakfast is £20 per person, per night for a single night, or £17.50 for consecutive nights. (No difference in price despite which room you end up with.) You can make bookings by calling 01208 872326, faxing 01208 872326, or by emailing martin@penkm.freeserve.co.uk . Postal address is: LYNNWOOD, LANLIVERY, BODMIN, CORNWALL. PL305BX.

So, would I stay there again? Well, strangely no, I wouldn't. This is no reflection on the owners, or the accommodation. In fact, I think it is excellent value, and in a superb location. The reason is that I just felt uncomfortable staying in the family home of people I didn't know. It didn't feel like a B&B, it felt like you were staying as houseguests of these people. Their children were around, there were unfinished DIY jobs around you, you ate breakfast in a corner of their personal lounge. Plus, you weren't given a key as the door remains unlocked, or someone will open it for you if you come back late.

Maybe I'm being fussy, and this sort of feel is what some of you are after. However, I want to stay somewhere where the guest quarters are entirely separate, and it feels like a business, not where you feel like you are invading someone else's personal space.

Having said all that, if you're just spending one night as a stop-over while visiting the Eden Project, you'd be hard pushed to find somewhere as ideally located and cheap,
offering good clean accommodation at excellent value for money.

Oh, and by the way, the Eden Project is absolutely fabulous - well worth a visit.