Van life on the farm
04 April 2022
(Last updated: 24 Jul 2022 19:43)
If you own a caravan or campervan you probably don’t need us to tell you that you hold the key to the road for relaxing holidays in the great outdoors. You have the freedom to explore the countryside while enjoying a value for money break. Read on to find out where there’s a warm welcome awaiting you and your family down on the farm...
Book ahead for your pitch in an idyllic pastoral location and get ready to fill your lungs with refreshing country air. Expect far reaching views across green fields and plenty of space to roam on foot. A carefree break awaits with the opportunity to truly relax, unwind and leave the frantic world behind for a few gloriously uncluttered days. Whether it’s just the two of your or you and your children – or perhaps an extended tribe of family and friends – there’s something to suit you here at Farm Stay.
Here’s a selection of fabulous Farm Stay locations that should help inspire you for your summer holidays on the farm this year!
Rookery Farm Caravan and Camping at West Beckham, in North Norfolk is a small select site with views across fields and open countryside. Picture yourself pitching up in the middle of rural Norfolk, knowing that you will be one of just a handful of people privy to the splendid views and freedom that staying in a caravan allows – what could be better?
The campsite at Rookery Farm is small, intimate and basic with just five pitches. While it doesn’t offer a fancy shower block or an on-site convenience store, it does provide the chance to properly unwind and reconnect with nature. The owners work hard on conservation so there is a plethora of birds, animals and wild flowers for you to see.
Being set in a picturesque village, three miles from the coast and a short drive away from the seaside at Sheringham and from the attractive Georgian town of Holt, there are country pubs to enjoy, along with all of the usual amenities. Plus, there are miles of signposted walks around both the farm and the local area, ideal if you’ll be accompanied by your dog. Children will enjoy burning off any excess energy in the farm’s play area.
Brook Meadow Camp Site near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, is a multi-award-winning family run holiday site which is open all year round offering electric, grass and hard standing pitches as well as non-electric grass pitches. It has 20 acres dedicated to hosting guests holidaying in the heart of the working farm, where you can enjoy the space and tranquillity of this country retreat. A warm welcome awaits and guests will enjoy a high level of service with an attentive full-time site warden and a reception that’s manned in office hours.
Set three fields back from the road in the heart of the farm, apart from the faint noise of an occasional glider overhead, farm vehicles or children playing, you’ll be able to forget all about ‘life outside’ as you relax in this quiet and peaceful lakeside location.
The owners, who live on site, are proud of their eco-friendly site and its facilities. They’ve planted hedging, meadow flowers and trees, and use solar heated water, renewable fuel and carry out rainwater harvesting.
Brook Meadow is located close to the village of Sibbertoft in the heart of the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire countryside and is well placed for accessing varied nearby attractions. Activities on offer on the doorstep include quad biking, 4 x 4 off roading, clay pigeon shooting, and archery, and much more on the farm itself, including fishing.
Lower Hill Campsite is a working livestock farm set in the beautiful hillside of Wenlock Edge in Shropshire with a campsite designed for caravans and motorhomes. The farm covers 230 acres of unspoilt countryside and you’ll be enjoying stunning views, sunrises, sunsets and starry nights as the pitches are on a terraced hillside
The site is family friendly with recently updated facilities and offers free showers, toilets and a hot water washing up area. The onsite honesty shop stocks all the essentials for your holiday, including logs and local fare, including meat for the barbecue! Speaking of cooking, wood fired pizza oven, along with the fire pits, will provide variety to your holiday cuisine.
Lower Hill Campsite is an ideal location from which to explore Shropshire and the farm is ideally located to explore the National Trust walks along the picturesque Wenlock Edge, a wooded escarpment. It’s also a short drive from the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge and 20 minutes’ drive from the historic town of Shrewsbury. Stay on the farm though and you’ll be able to relax and watch birds and deer or enjoy a spot of fishing.
Howgill Lodge, near Skipton, is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, close to the river Wharfe. Though set in a completely rural location there’s plenty to keep the family entertained. There are fabulous vistas from all around the site which caters for caravans, motorhomes and campervans with a choice of electric and non-electric pitches. The site has been cleverly set into the hillside and features level terraced pitches and traditional dry-stone walling. Each privately screened pitch has its own picnic table.
It is a family-run site and the owners pride themselves on their outstanding customer service. There is a modern 5* shower block with hot showers, a washing up area, washing machine and tumble dryer, and two large communal fridges. A small shop sells basic essentials and there’s even a morning coffee shop serving barista coffee and freshly baked pastries. Fire pits are available to hire and come complete with logs and kindling.
Howgill Lodge is a perfect holiday destination for children, with plenty of space for them to run around and play including a large woodland area. They’ll love saying hello to the resident alpacas who graze in the field next to the campsite.
