Enjoy Farm Life with Feather Down Farms
With the combination of rushed school or nursery runs, 24/7 emails and constant juggling, who doesn’t dream of escaping to a slower pace of life where things are just a little bit calmer? A trip away together is one of the best ways to switch off and reconnect, away from the demands of everyday life. A trip that immerses you in green space and nature is even better.
As the original ‘glamping’ pioneers, Feather Down Farms tick all the boxes for a rural escape with all the fun of sleeping under canvas, but in a lot more comfort. Stay in a spacious 'tented hideaway' complete with cosy beds, wooden floorboards, sofas and wood stoves, as well as flushing loos and shower facilities. With no electricity or wifi, this is the opportunity to really disconnect from screens, let children run free, and adults take time to relax.
The farms themselves have plenty to keep families entertained, from feeding the animals to playing in woods or building dens. But there are also lots of other activities on offer depending on your wish list and with over 30 farms around the UK you can take your pick. We asked our friends at Feather Down for their top tips.
College Farm, Norfolk Broads (best for: messing about on the river)
Located on the River Waveney in the southern part of Broadland and close to the pretty historic town of Beccles, College Farm is perfectly placed to enjoy the best of the Norfolk Broads. From the farm, there is a signed walk down to the River Waveney, and you can also hire boats, canoes or paddle boards. Beccles even has its own lido for those who fancy an outdoor pool swim. Alternatively, the wide sandy beaches of the Norfolk coast are nearby, including Southwold, Walberswick and Lowestoft - perfect for crabbing, swimming, sandcastles and perhaps the occasional ice cream!
Glastonbury Hill Farm, Glastonbury (best for: morning coffee with a view)
Feather Down Farms are special at any time of day – and that moment when you wake up and sit on the terrace, with a morning coffee made on the wood burning stove is a perfect way to start the day. With mesmerising views of the Somerset Levels, morning coffees don’t get much better than at Glastonbury Hill Farm. Lying at the end of a country lane, it’s an ideal secluded spot for a farm break, where the canvas hideaways offer stunning far-reaching south-facing views for 20 miles over the Somerset Levels to the Blackdown Hills and beyond.Treganhoe Farm, Cornwall (best for: hard-to-beat beaches)
The location of Treganhoe Farm is hard to beat, nestled in the heart of the West Cornwall peninsula. Some of Cornwall’s most iconic beaches are within easy reach - including Marazion, Sennen Cove, Porthcurno and Gwynver. All of the tented hideaways at this peaceful location have en-suite shower rooms as well as stunning views over the reservoir and the countryside beyond. Treganhoe is a working farm, with cattle, sheep, chickens and pigs - so there is always something happening on site and children love helping to feed the various animals each morning.Billingsmoor Farm, Devon (best for: woodland adventures on a dairy farm)
Nestled in the depths of mid Devon countryside, near Butterleigh, is Feather Down Billingsmoor Farm – a beautiful organic dairy farm on the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. A magical woodland creates a safe and natural backdrop that will provide youngsters of all ages with hours of entertainment, making dens and letting their imaginations run wild in the glorious fresh air. The farm is home to 200 Fresian dairy cows. You can learn all about them on the farm walk and visit the milking parlour to see them being milked twice a day - an unmissable experience during your stay. When the night draws in, if you’ve booked a hot tub, why not have a good soak and gaze up at the starry sky before calling it a day and retiring to your comfy bed for the night.New Barn Farm, Bedfordshire (best for: an escape to the country from London)
Just an hour or so from London, yet in the heart of the Bedfordshire countryside, New Barn Farm ticks all the boxes for an easy escape to the country with a touch of animal magic. There is a whole menagerie of animals here, quite literally – sheep, pygmy goats, donkeys, ducks and chickens as well as a pig and a few farm dogs. You might also see and hear badgers, foxes, a variety of owls, woodpeckers and small Muntjac deer, all from the safety and comfort of your tent. While you’re there, explore the nearby woodland, enjoy local walks, cycles or picnics and when night falls, enjoy homemade dishes from the honesty shop, or cook a hearty stew on your wood-burning stove.Acton Scott, Shropshire (best for: hot tubs on a private estate)
Set in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Feather Down at Acton Scott offers a peaceful and relaxing stay in a canvas hideaway, tucked away in its own private clearing in the tranquil setting of 20 acre Hatton Wood. Combining the Feather Down experience with a country house setting, Acton Scott has been owned by the Acton family since the 12th century and hot tubs add a touch of indulgence. The Shropshire Hills are a paradise for walkers and a little further afield are the medieval towns of Shrewsbury and the foodie haven of Ludlow.