The Amazing Story of Emily
The Story of Emily is one of Cornwall’s newest attractions is causing some excitement locally, opened in 2024, it seamlessly combines old and new to create a fascinating day out. The latest venture by Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, owners of the Newt in Somerset and Babylonstoren in South Africa, this destination at St. Ive near Liskeard, tells the story of Emily Hobhouse.
A Rectory Restored
The Rectory at St. Ive was the home of humanitarian campaigner Emily Hobhouse for the first 34 years of her life. The stunning Victorian house, built by Emily’s father Reverend Reginald Hobhouse, has been fully restored to exacting 1875 standards. Slipping into leather slippers and high-tech headset, you can take an audio-guided tour throughout the house. From fully equipped kitchens and larders to painstakingly reproduced wallpaper, no expense has been spared to bring this Gothic Revival house back to its full pomp.
Glorious Gardens and Grub
The garden planting is still very new but promises the creativity seen at Hadspen House. Now the Newt in Somerset, Hadspen House was formerly the Hobhouse family seat. However, the Story of Emily’s kitchen garden, complete with wandering turkeys, already provides much of the produce for the restaurant. Sit in the huge glass conservatory among potted fig trees to enjoy an authentic traditional South African menu complete with translation. The wine list features a selection from Babylonstoren alongside some favourite Cornish beers.
Walk in their Shoes
Having explored Emily’s formative years courtesy of the Rectory, visitors then change into an authentic pair of veldskoen to experience the War Rooms. This purpose built, state-of-the-art immersive experience combines installations, reproductions, film, sound and virtual reality to transport you to South Africa at the time of the second Anglo-Boer war. Visit a farmstead, gaze out at the endless veld as you take a train journey and look around in horrified wonder as you visit one of the camps set up to contain Boer women and children. It is these camps that are the crux of the Story of Emily. Emily Hobhouse dedicated her life to campaigning to raise awareness of the gruesome conditions and fought tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the women and children of South Africa.
While a heroine in South Africa, Emily Hobhouse has been hardly known in Britain or even her native Cornwall. Until now!
Visit the Story of Emily while you are at Helsbury and find out more about this amazing story.