Transport yourself to a whimsical underground burrow, dug right into a hillside near Three Hills, Alberta. Good Knights Medieval has long offered travellers unique experiences, including their “glamping” tents and banquet feasts fit for royalty. Now, you can book your own cozy stay in a private subterranean burrow...
Daniel and Linda Smith retired in 2006 and moved to their rural property near Three Hills. When they first saw the sloping hillside, they thought it would be the perfect spot for a fantasy-themed burrow. The couple started construction for this property 4 years ago, so it has been a long time in the making. The process of building such a unique accommodation definitely came with its own challenges. The excavation of a hill to house a subterranean dwelling was uncharted territory, so their budget quickly realized its limits and had to adjust accordingly. From day one they wanted to make sure this housing was completely wheelchair accessible. Daniel said they found out exactly how wide the round front entrance door would need to be to accommodate wheelchair access. That measurement dictated the scale for the rest of the complex project. Even though it is underground the interior is surprisingly spacious. Despite the bumps in the road, the couple persevered and “The Burrow” has finally opened its big, blue circular door to visitors.
If cozy is what you are looking for, you’ve found it. We were greeted with a plate of freshly baked cookies upon our arrival. This little abode features a custom-made stone fireplace to warm up by, toasty in-floor heating throughout the entire floor plan, and a private electrically heated barrel hot tub to keep you even cozier. The property will also feature an outdoor BBQ, fire pit area, and private garden. Despite the fantasy/medieval vibes of the accommodation, there is still access to Wi-Fi and many other modern amenities. The kitchen is well stocked to allow for easy self-catering (including a microwave, electric kettle, toaster, an electric burner, and a toaster oven). The spacious bathroom features a large accessible shower and a beautiful hand-painted copper sink. I really appreciated their great attention to detail. Even their light switch plates matched the fantasy theme. Good Knights Medieval will also be offering homemade in-burrow dining experiences for an additional cost. The holiday meal we had was a comforting treat delivered right to our door. The table was set for us to enjoy our meal in the privacy of our burrow. This in-room dinner option will be offered around the Christmas holiday season. The owners also plan to offer a homey breakfast delivered to your lodgings (at an additional cost), which will be available May-September.
In addition to Good Knight Medieval’s themed accommodations, they also provide guests with the immersive experience of a lavish royal feast. These banquets include medieval music and entertainment. Linda prepares the traditional dinners in their on-site commercial kitchen. The meals aim to feature local product wherever possible and even omit certain ingredients that weren’t historically available during medieval times (like corn and potatoes). These elaborate banquet dinners are usually reserved for overnight guests only, but they do offer dates available to the public once a month (June-September).
Despite the resemblance to popular fantasy fiction, the only Frodo you will meet here is their friendly dog. Come and cozy up in Alberta’s first and only burrow accommodation!
This article was made possible thanks to Travel Alberta. Thank you also to Good Knights Medieval.