Farm Stay holidays are perfect for active families – here’s why…
30 July 2021
The great thing about a holiday on a farm is that you are well placed for an active outdoor getaway. As a family you are sure to find a range of fun options for things to do, whether it be on the farm itself, or in the surrounding countryside. There are mountains to be climbed, rivers to canoe along, ponies waiting to be ridden, and woodlands to explore…
Farm Stay has an outstanding choice of family friendly properties to choose from, whether you have young children who are keen to befriend farm animals, or older children who want to have energetic adventures. You’ll find a style of accommodation and facilities to suit your needs and taste in the most beautiful parts of the UK.
You can opt for a well-appointed self-catering cottage so you can come and go as you please in a home from home. Or why not choose a comfortable B&B where the host’s delicious breakfast will set you up for a full day of activities. And you’ll be able to leave the catering to others, leaving more hours in the day for carefree fun in the great outdoors!
If you fancy upping the sense of adventure for your family, then stay under canvas on a farm-based campsite with all the facilities you need to hand. Not quite your style? Then check out the on-trend glamping options with all the comforts of home.
Fun-filled days on a Farm Stay holiday
Energetic families will be spoilt for choice on a farm-based holiday where footpaths and cycle routes in the picturesque countryside can often be accessed literally from the doorstep, ideal for explorers of all ages. (It’s worth noting that if you’re taking your own bikes, Farm Stay properties often provide safe storage.)
Picture yourself swimming daily in a lovely on-site pool, often with a stunning view, fishing together on riverbanks or private lakes, or enjoying boating on a river, bodyboarding in the waves at the coast, or bonding over an energetic game of tennis. Many farms have indoor play facilities, from fully-equipped play barns for children, to games rooms with a pool table – ideal for days when the weather hinders full-on outdoor adventures.
Each farm location has varying options and often unique things to do, depending on their individual size, position and facilities. Most Farm Stay members also have details of nearby attractions on their website, but don’t forget, your Farm Stay hosts will have lots of knowledge about what’s good to do in their area, so don’t be shy – pick their brains on everything from where to hire bikes to activities and events only the locals know about!
This small selection will give you a taster of the variety on offer…
Lower Hearson Farm in South Molton, Devon, is ideal for active families as it offers an outdoor pool, trampoline, games room, play area – plus it offers guests staying in its six cottages access to top notch swimming and gym facilities at nearby High Bullen Hotel Golf & Country Club, 15 minutes’ drive away. It is also close to numerous beaches, including Saunton, which is ideal for novice surfers.
At Church Farm at Bradford on Avon, near Bath you’ll be staying in award-winning cottages on a working sheep farm located near to the World Heritage City of Bath. A holiday here is perfect for families who would like to get back to nature and learn more about farming. The hosts organise farm and woodland activities including sheep herding, lambing experiences (March/April), farm Olympics, den building, fire lighting, woodland arts and crafts. The farm also boasts a luxurious indoor pool and a games room.
At Godford Farm in Devon, the two barn cottages are perfectly placed for an active break in the countryside. Cyclists and walkers love Godford Farm because of its proximity to routes including the South West Coastal Path and the Buzzard cycle route, which is just one mile away. The hosts also have something a bit special up their sleeves for nature-loving youngsters – a fossil-hunting kit with everything they’ll need, including maps of where to find them!
At Old Farm Holiday Cottages near the heritage coast in Suffolk, there’s an on-site nature trail, and a heated swimming pool and games rooms for adults and children. Popular for multi-generational family stays, you can even borrow the kit needed for a fun day of fishing for crabs at nearby Walberswick! Thrill-seekers will make a beeline for Pleasurewood Hills theme park, while animal lovers will enjoy a visit to Oasis Camel Park with a chance to take train, camel or donkey rides!
On holiday on Penylan Farm in Monmouthshire, staying in a self-catering cottage or as a B&B guest, you’ll be well placed to take advantage of the watersports on offer on the river Wye, voted the public’s favourite river in England. Take your bikes along and you can cycle along the Peregrine Trail, alongside the river Wye, or on the tracks through the Forest of Dean. The famous ‘Offa’s Dyke’ path and ‘Three Castles Walk’ are both just two miles away, head north-east to the rugged Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons for further adventures.