From Cauliflowers to Golf Balls: A Cornish Farm’s Journey into Leisure and Tourism

Nestled near the village of Crantock, a farm with a rich history dating back to 1944 has found new life in an unexpected industry: golf and hospitality.

Will Eustice, who grew up on the historic farm near Newquay, has moved home after years away in London and Canada to launch a new business using some of the land once used for farming.

The farm was purchased by Will’s great-grandfather, affectionately known as Captain Jack, and over the decades the land has supported various agricultural ventures, including vegetables and beef cattle. While Will did not pursue farming as a career, his childhood was spent in and around the fields, helping with seasonal tasks like planting and harvesting cauliflowers.

Spotting an Opportunity

Having worked as a chartered surveyor, Will had long dreamed of returning to his Cornish roots. During a visit home six years ago, he noted that Cornwall lacked a modern golf driving range with food, drink, and advanced technology. Seizing the opportunity, he envisioned a facility that could combine leisure, tourism, and community events on the family land.

From Planning to Building

Developing the facility - dubbed Halwyn - came with its challenges, particularly in navigating the planning process. Concerns from planning officials included the visual impact on the landscape, the loss of agricultural land, and the need for sustainable links to the local village. Will addressed these by designing a building that resembled an agricultural barn, using reclaimed materials, sympathetic cladding, and earth bunds to shield car parks.

Will said a thorough approach to the planning system and the use of specialist consultants had helped them through the planning process - the key challenge to overcome to make the project a reality.

He explained: “We did a pre-app first rather than a full application, because that gave us the opportunity to test with the council’s planning department whether there was a chance or whether they would come back and say it’s an absolute no go.

“They said we needed to look at the landscape impact, so we addressed that by building a sympathetic design that looks in keeping with the locality. Sustainable connection to the existing village was also an issue so we built a footpath from the facility into the village, as it’s about a 5 minute walk away. 

“Their final concern was the loss of agricultural land. Their feedback was that the benefits of the scheme needed to outweigh the loss of the land.” 

The project ultimately gained approval, thanks to the economic and social benefits it promised: a £1m investment creating 22 local jobs, a new tourism destination, monthly farmers’ markets, and a venue for community events. The building is also mostly reversible, occupying only a fraction of the original 10-acre field.

Blending Technology and Tradition

The building that houses the driving range and hospitality was designed to blend into the existing setting, including through the use of reclaimed corrugated roofing sheets that were already rusted and oak feather edge cladding, which has weathered nicely. The car park is also hidden from view by grass mounds, helping to avoid the site standing out when viewed from far away.

Opened in June 2025, Halwyn’s driving range features Trackman technology, allowing golfers to play virtual courses from around the world such as Pebble Beach or Royal Troon. Large radar systems track ball flight, and screens inside each bay offer practice modes, games, and family-friendly experiences. A mini-golf course complements the range, expanding its appeal to all ages.

Community Collaboration

Collaboration with local producers and businesses is central to the facility’s ethos. The monthly farmers’ market showcases local meats, including beef from the family farm, while pop-up events bring in nearby restaurants and musicians. 

Said Will: “We like collaborating with other businesses, it is a massive part of what this place is supposed to be about. 

“When you build something like this, you have an almost inherent responsibility to use it as a platform for other people and a force for good. 

“So with the farmer's market, we've collaborated with two local people to run that. 

“We've got a collaboration with a restaurant in Newquay called Counterculture, who are going to do a takeover of our restaurant, and we also have an event called the Big Shout coming up where we collaborate with a local band.

“We’re also hosting a pop-up seafood event with the Swanky Seafood Society.”

Recognition, growth and more diversification!

In just 18 months, Halwyn has seen three million golf balls hit while earning multiple accolades in the process. It has been a finalist at the National Golf Course Awards, shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the prestigious Trenchman’s Awards, and is in the running for Best New Tourism Business at the Cornwall Tourism Awards.

With weddings now added to its offering and a dedicated events coordinator on board, the business continues to evolve. As for his advice to other farmers that were considering a similar type of development, he said: “I would say to go for it but be prepared to work very, very hard and take an awful lot of risks. 

“You've got to be as prepared as you can be but you're never going to be completely ready to start. I'm still learning an awful lot along this journey. 

“I sometimes say to people that I built a Ferrari without having a driver’s license!

“I've had to learn how to drive as we go.”

“Even now we're 18 months in and we're still setting up more efficient ways to manage inquiries for events, so if you want to get something like this going, you have to be prepared to build the plane as it's going down the runway!”

For more information about Will’s business visit www.halwyn.co.uk