Escape to a farm this autumn and winter

Get away from it all to the great British countryside and enjoy acres of space, fresh air and a warm

02 November 2023

Whether it’s leafy Autumn strolls or crisp winter walks, you can enjoy the best of the British outdoors and then retreat to the comfort of your farm stay. Think roaring log fires and wood burners, a dreamy hot tub to sink into at the end of the day, magical evenings snuggled up by the firepit and delicious local produce to fuel up on after all that fresh air. 

Luxury farm houses, cosy cottages and winter glamping in wood cabins, huts, yurts and even tree houses await you, whether you’re planning a large group or family getaway or a romantic retreat for two. 

With many properties situated on working farms, booking a farm stay helps support the rural economy. Farm Stay is a not for profit and all bookings go directly to the farm / property owner providing a better deal for holidaymakers and farmers alike. 

Here is a selection of some of the farm holidays you could enjoy this season:

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Yorkshire

Luxury award winning barn conversions set on a farm with views over open countryside yet 2 miles from historic Beverley.

Two, three, four and six bedroom cottages all 5 star Gold award are fully equipped for your comfort and tastefully decorated. Each cottage has a private garden with plenty of parking, some cottages connect to form larger cottages for groups or extended families. 

The paddocks around the cottages are home to sheep and hens, there are often a few pigs in residence and are surrounded by wildlife. The Yorkshire Wolds offers pretty villages, bustling market towns and rolling countryside to explore. The cottages are set right in the middle of the Yorkshire Wildlife Triangle with many local nature reserves and the stunning Yorkshire Coast within easy reach. Also handy for York and the UK City of Culture 2017 Hull.

Price: from £490-£2,600 a week. Shorter stays available.

Eden Holiday Hideaways, Kelso, Scottish Borders

Three luxury detached eco-lodges with Scandinavian inspired contemporary design and luxurious attention to detail. Wood-fired hot tubs with panoramic views of the Eden and Tweed Valleys provide a tranquil setting near the Scottish town of Kelso to escape, relax and unwind. 

Each hideaway brings the outside to the inside with the end to end wall of glass. Orchard Hideaway is beside the wood, Eden Hideaway is in the middle and Tweed Hideaway at the top of the meadow.

Through all seasons, you can watch the weather play over the Cheviot hills on the southern horizon from the woodfired hot tub, the swinging chairs, the relaxing sofa or the king size bed. Set on an organic farm, nature comes calling. Hares lop through the fence, small birds chatter in the sunflowers, barn owls float by on the hunt, and colourful butterflies and wildflowers dance on your doorstep. The farm invites you outside.  Walk along the meandering Eden Water, over the wooden bridge and on to the River Tweed if you fancy a longer stretch of legs, or instead, loop back along a treelined avenue for a game of tennis on the all-weather surface nearby. 

Each lodge sleeps four, with a bright and spacious king size bedroom and a twin bedroom, all with crisp, Egyptian linens. The living space has a comfy corner sofa and large footrest giving a relaxing place to settle in front of the wall-mounted TV (access to Netflix / prime / iPlayer etc provided) - for cosy nights in or rainy days. The sleek, easy-to-light log burner is a central feature and provides a lovely heat which warms the well-insulated space very quickly. There is a dining table and chairs inside, and outside for fair weather. The well-equipped kitchen provides a compact space to prepare meals and if cooking is too much, you can order locally made ready meals for the freezer to use as and when you please, or explore Kelso, only a couple of miles away, with a variety of takeaways and restaurants. Little details stand out: a coffee grinder and beans are provided so you can use the Italian coffee maker to make yourselves a fantastic coffee. The shower room has a gorgeous rain effect shower and is tiled with travertine bringing a luxury spa feel. The gorgeous-smelling shampoo and shower gel complete this effect, along with the heated floors and towel rails.

Each hideaway provides all you need for a relaxing, luxurious, spacious retreat from the world. You can tuck yourselves in cosily for some R&R or adventure out into the farm and wider world – whatever suits you, in whatever weather arrives.

Prices from £850-£1,400 a week. Shorter stays available.

Millmoor Farm Holidays, Cheshire

After winter walks across farmland enjoying stunning views across the countryside, head back to one of six award winning cottages and fire up the cosy woodburner. Nestled in a little valley overlooking the picturesque Cheshire village of Malpas, on a clear day Millmoor Farm’s self-catering holiday cottages enjoy stunning miles and miles of uncluttered scenery across Cheshire, Wales, Shropshire and Staffordshire. There are six beautifully appointed cottages to choose from, sleeping between 2-7 per house. 

Guests are invited to find out more about this working beef and sheep farm and meet its rare breeds of poultry, baby lambs, pigs and goats. There are ride-on tractors for young children, with swings and slides and a football pitch and great pub meals within walking distance. But this rural retreat is also only 20 minutes’ drive to Chester, with all its attractions.  If visiting in January and February then nearby Rode Hall Gardens are the setting for one of the most spectacular displays of snowdrops in the North West of England. With over seventy different varieties of snowdrops to be seen in the magnificent setting of Rode’s Humphry Repton landscape, this mile-long walk is a perfect morning or afternoon stroll out in the fresh air for nature-lovers of all ages. 

Price: £200-£975 per week.

The Barn at Green Farm, Kent

For a luxurious countryside getaway, The Barn at Green Farm  in Kent offers the unique combination of self-catering flexibility and space along with all the welcoming hospitality and charm of Green Farm and its boutique spa. Great for country walks and bike rides, and visiting local beaches, towns, gardens and attractions. Within easy reach of London the 19th century listed barn offers luxurious self-catering accommodation for 12 to 14 people. It’s ideal for family get-togethers, special occasions, sophisticated group celebrations, and spa and activity weekends.

Whether you’re looking forward to evenings by the log fire, or would like a more active break, your hosts will help you to create a bespoke experience. Spend time in the boutique spa, take part in a yoga or woodland workout, try your hand at drawing or enjoy a local wine tour; speak to your hosts about personalising your stay.

 For an extra fee, guests can book into the small boutique spa at Green Farm, which offers treatments, an extensive beauty menu, and is also home to an indoor yoga studio, sauna and two outdoor hot-tubs.
Price: Short breaks start from £625 per night for up to 14 people for a minimum of three nights.

Hop Pickers Barn and Cabin, Worcestershire

Hop Pickers Rural Retreats is close to the River Teme between the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the City of Worcester. Beautiful countryside surroundings offering tranquility, wildlife, walking and local history. Fantastic facilities available, excellent walking from the doorstep including walkable pubs, close to many National Trust properties and a selection of quality pubs and restaurants.

Quiet tranquil location offering 4 star Gold Award Self catering in either the renovated 17th century Barn which sleeps 5 with a private hot tub, a luxury 2 bedroom log cabin (sleeps 4) with a hot tub and wood burner or a stunning Shepherd's Hut just for 2 with a private hot tub and Bell Tent glamping at it's finest. Winners of 2014/2015/2017 Best Self Catering Worcestershire and the Visit England ROSE award for service excellence in 2017. The owners live in the Georgian farmhouse and are on hand to help you plan your days out and guide you on some of the local walks which are available from the doorstep including a fabulous walk to the Malvern Hills with just 1 road to cross and 3 walkable pubs.

The extensive facilities available include a heated outdoor swimming pool available during the summer months, tennis court, characterful heated games room with log burner, pinball, bar billiards and much more, providing perfect entertainment for a rainy day along with the woodland walk around the property where you can stop at the wildlife hide overlooking the old oast pond and an active badger sett.

Hens and ducks scratch about outside and there are cats, dogs and horses plus a variety of fruit trees and hedgerow bushes which you are welcome to help yourselves to any of the seasonal produce.

Prices from £134-£245 a night.

The Green Farm, Worcestershire 

A warm welcome awaits guests at The Green Farm which offers The Cottage (sleeping 3) adjoining the farm house and The Tallet, a luxury bedroom suite of rooms set across the courtyard from the main farmhouse.

Residents include a flock of friendly Shetland sheep, three donkeys, and a number of beehives as well as free-range chickens for the all-important fresh breakfast eggs. Breakfast, served in the main farmhouse, includes home-made bread and preserves, made with fruit from the farm’s own orchard as well as honey from the Green Farm bees and bacon and sausages from local farms.

The Cottage benefits from a wood burner which is lit for you every evening when the weather gets colder. 

The Green Farm provides the ideal base for exploring. Worcester is just five minutes away and The Malverns, Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds and Cheltenham are all only half an hour drive away.

Price: From £105 a night

Hoe Grange Holidays, Matlock, Derbyshire

At Hoe Grange farm you can choose from two luxurious and heated eco glamping pods or four award-winning log cabins.

The eco glamping pods offer a hideaway for two with chic modern design, with fully equipped kitchenette and spacious ensuite shower. The timber glamping pods are well insulated with sheep wool and have cutting-edge infra-red heating, so you’ll be warm and cosy. Relax round the glowing firepit under the dark, starry sky and enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a glass of wine. After a comfortable nights sleep on the king-size sofa bed you will wake up gently to the sound of bird song. Admire the views from your pillow through the circular doors. 

Sleeping 4-6, the award-winning log cabins provide a peaceful haven ideal for couples, families or groups who want to holiday together but enjoy separate accommodation. Fully equipped with everything you need, the log cabins offer the perfect base to enjoy the peak district. 

Whether you’re glamping or enjoying a stay in a log cabin, tuck into delicious home baked bread and tasty free-range eggs for breakfast, before exploring the many wonderful walks from the door.

Price: from £110 a night