Escape to the country with Farm Stay this spring
15 March 2022
Now is the perfect time to book a break on a working farm. It’s an uplifting season to enjoy the great outdoors, breathe in blossom scented air, see bouncing lambs in the fields and spring flowers in the hedgerows. Why not make the most of your bank holidays and enjoy a long weekend with family or with friends in the countryside?
Farm Stay members have a wide range of stunning properties all across the UK. Choose from bed and breakfast, self-catering cottages or glamping to suit your needs and preferred holiday style. There is something for everyone, from couples seeking a quiet rural escape, to extended families with children. Many are dog friendly so your furry friends can come too! Why not plan ahead and find a Farm Stay where grandparents can stay in their own cottage close to you on the same site?
Come for a few days, a week or a two-week holiday. Left it to the last minute? Don’t worry – check out the last-minute availability and offers section on this website.
Perfect for families
Farm Stay properties often have facilities and fun activities for families on site. Most have easy access to local amenities, including country pubs, supermarkets and local attractions. At some locations, you can even be in a buzzing city in under an hour by car if you so wished.
Our self-catering and self-contained B&B accommodation is ideal for those with young children as you can relax in a home from home environment and come and go as you please. You’ll be able to find properties where the hosts understand your needs – many provide cots and high chairs; some even go so far as to provide sterilisers and baby monitors which will help take the pressure off your packing!
As well as thoughtful items for little ones, there may be on site facilities like adventure play areas, ride-on toys, and even petting animals. All of this means you can truly unwind and enjoy your surroundings without the need to travel each day to find something to keep your crew entertained.
To give you an idea of what to expect, we’ve selected these 5 Farm Stay properties:
Ribble Valley Holiday homes Lancashire
10 self-catering cottages, sleeping from 4 to 16 people
Oak Bank Farm has luxury open plan cottages with private gardens, hot tubs, wood burners and ensuite bedrooms. Each of the properties is unique, from the accessible bungalow sleeping four to a spacious, award-wining detached house sleeping 16. All are attractively decorated with modern furnishings.
This small farm, with sheep and cows in the surrounding fields, is located near the historical village of Ribchester, famous for its Roman fort. It’s ideal for visits to The Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland Area of Natural Beauty. There are opportunities galore for walking and cycling enthusiasts, with direct access to footpaths and plenty of picturesque villages to discover. The local recreation ground is great for families, with its playing fields, swings, roundabout, climbing frame, playhouse, full-sized and mini tennis courts, and lots more.
Arbor Holiday and Knightcote Farm, Warwickshire
5 self-catering cottages, sleeping 2 to 16 people
Guests are welcomed to these award-winning farm cottages with home-made cake, chilled wine and fresh flowers. The cottages are converted 17th century barns, a former milking parlour and a grain store, providing luxury accommodation on a 600-acre farm in the north of the picturesque Cotswolds. It’s an ideal location for a family holiday with facilities for all age groups – baby equipment is available and some of the cottages have accessibility items. Two cottages have dining facilities for up to 16 people, so families and friends can dine together.
The site is particularly child-friendly, with scooters and ride-on toys, an area for ball games, and a small playground with adventure tower, wave slide, climbing wall and swings in a wooded area that’s great for running around in.
Grown-ups will enjoy the antique tractor collection, model railway exhibition, and carp lake. There are some great walking and cycle routes from the doorstep, including a farm trail offering views of the surrounding landscape and the Burton Dassett Hills beyond. And if you want to go further afield, there are numerous family fun places to visit, both indoors and out.
Webbington Farm Cottages, Somerset
4 self-catering cottages, sleeping 4 to 7 people
This working beef farm, located between Weston-super-Mare and Cheddar, has four luxury cottages converted stone courtyard barns which can be hired individually or together for intergenerational stays or groups of friends, with a bolt-on option for a hot tub room and a party barn with a bar, seating for 30, wood burner, sound system and room to party the night away!
Each attractive cottage has central heating and the kitchens are fully equipped and include dishwasher, washer/dryer and fridge/freezer. Outside there are gardens and a children's activity play area. Guests can even get a spa day pass to enjoy an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, tennis courts and gym.
Nestled on the edge of the Somerset Mendip Hills and amid Somerset's famous cider making and Cheddar strawberry growing area, the farm is perfectly located for beaches, walking and cycling routes, as well as historic and family attractions.
Humble Bee Farm, Yorkshire Wolds
Multiple glamping & camping options, sleeping 4 to 6 people
Young families will love a glamping break on Humblebee Farm where there’s lots of opportunity to engage with the resident animals, sheep and cows. This busy farm, close to the North Yorkshire coast, has a variety of dog-friendly accommodation options, from pitches for tourers, motor homes and caravans, to cosy wigwam lodges. The luxurious Premium Wigwam lodges are heated and have a private electric hot tub, so are ideal for a staycation at any time of year. They can accommodate up to 6 people (4 adults), and are spacious, light and airy with comfy beds, ensuite facilities, a kitchen area, dining table and chairs.
The farm is especially child friendly with events throughout the year, such as Easter themed activities. As a family you can collect eggs for breakfast and say hello to the farmyard gang or spot wildlife. Walkers, cyclists and surfers enjoy holidays here. There’s lots to explore locally, including the North York Moors National Park and the coastal towns of Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington and Whitby.
Forda Farm, Devon
2 B&B rooms, sleeping 2 to 4 people in each
Forda Farm is a traditional working farm on the North Devon and Cornwall border, where the owners welcome guests to stay in two spacious bed and breakfast rooms, with a delicious cream tea on arrival.
Both ground-floor rooms are self-contained and have their own access. The Torridge room offers a flexible space as there’s room for enough beds to accommodate a family of four, while the Tamar is a double or twin room with a super king size bed, two individual seats and smart TV with DVD. Ideal for walkers and cyclists, the latter has a small entrance porch suitable for outdoor clothes, shoes and boots. Both have ensuite shower rooms and there are comfy chairs and TVs for evening entertainment.
Breakfast can be taken on a folding table with chairs. Guests can opt for full breakfast or continental style, and vegetarian and other dietary needs can be catered for. A beverage tray is filled with items guests chose from an extensive menu on a digital app. Simple two course evening meals and packed lunches are also available on request.
Close to the North Devon and Cornwall border, there’s plenty to see and do, whether in the countryside or on the coast. Surfing lessons are available in Bude as well as geocaching, canoeing and many other outdoor pursuits. It’s a great location for walkers and cyclists, with cycle storage provided on site.
