Feather Down Farms - When can I book again! (Featherdown Farms (UK))

Member Name: sh3ps

Product:	Featherdown Farms (UK)
Date:	19/05/09 (295 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A completley different Holiday Experience

Disadvantages: If the weathers bad its not much better than normal camping

Featherdown Farms (when can I book again)

We have just returned from a midweek break at Featherdown Farms. Never heard of them before? Well neither had we until we read an article in a national paper. The concept is simple, selected Farms in the UK diversify by having tents in a field where people can camp. Tents I hear you say, what's so special about that? These aren't any tents, these are holiday homes except they have canvas sides and roof. So lets start with the tents. Each Tent sleeps 6 people, there are 3 separate sleeping areas a bunk bed, a double bed and a cabin bed that sleeps 2. Now when I say that it has a double bed I mean a real double bed, proper frame, mattresses and duvets. It has mains water (cold only) into the kitchen area with a proper sink and even a flushing toilet. There is no electricity in the tent and light is provided by Lamps and Candles, which looks very romantic at night. To cook on there is a wood burning stove in the middle of the tent. This provides both your heating and hot water for washing up by Boiling Up a large kettle.

We booked our holiday at Boswarthen Farm in Cornwall although there are numerous other sites across the UK. When we arrived we were met by the Farmers wife who showed us to the field with the Tent. In the field were 5 other tents but very well spread out. So not to ruin the field you are not allowed to park your car by the tent. To allow you to get you bags from the car to the tent they give you a wheel barrow, which we thought was just the most bizarre but fun way we have ever started a holiday. When we booked on line we ordered a casserole meal for the evening as we just didn't want the hassle of cooking on the first night. Well the farmer's wife came down at 6pm with the most fantastic beef casserole I have ever tasted. I'm not sure if it was the fresh air or just the fantastic atmosphere of being sat round an old farmhouse kitchen table with candles for light but it was better than most expensive restaurant meals.
After dinner we were shown the farm and the honesty shop which was stocked with the basic essentials that you may need. You picked what you wanted and wrote the item on a list and paid for it at the end of your stay. A little more expensive than shops but the local ice cream was heaven in a tub and the local produced burgers and bacon will make you think about buying in a supermarket again. We were also shown a very modern shower block that had been built inside a barn so that you could freshen up when you wanted.

Right next to each tent were chicken coops. The farmer asked if we would like to look after the chickens and showed us how to tuck them away at night and feed and water them. Any eggs they produced were ours free of charge. Tell you what nothing like a real fresh egg for breakfast and our son was fascinated and couldn't wait to put them to bed each night and let them out in the mornings.

The first night we slept like logs. It was a bit cold getting up the following morning but what do you expect, it may be a posh tent but it is still under canvas. It took about an hour for the stove to get really going and throw out enough heat to make your breath disappear but once the kettle was going and breakfast cooking it was well worth it.
The farm we stayed on was a dairy farm and as part of the experience you could feed the calves, watch the cows being fed and help look after the other animals including goats and ducks. During the days we went and explored the local area and in the evenings our son played with the other children staying on the farm and we chatted to the other parents.

Like any camping experience the weather has a lot to do with it. It wasn't brilliant while we were there but it was dry. It cost us £195 for a mid week break and I have to say that for a different holiday experience this rates as one of the best. It was made all that more special by being treated as part of the farming family and our hosts were just brilliant and nothing was too much trouble.

I would highly recommend it, but just remember no matter how posh the tents and the facilities it is still camping so if you like your holidays in hotels with all the home comforts then think long and hard. However if you love the great outdoors, want a bit of adventure but hate the thought of pitching your own tent and sleeping on an airbed you are going to love this.

My recommendation, take a look at the website featherdownfarms.co.uk and order a brochure.

Happy camping.

Summary: If you like camping you will love this