As seasoned campervanners, we weren’t sure what to expect from Feather Down Farms. But we recently had our first glamping experience with the company and were blown away by the attention to detail and all of the added extras which go into making each stay so special.

While a Feather Down Farms holiday allows visitors to get back to basics – staying in a large canvas tent, with no electricity and only cold running water – there are plenty of rustic luxuries to enjoy too. 

There were also so many added extras which made our trip so memorable, including a tractor tour with farmer Richard and a homemade pizza evening in the farmyard.

But for us, one of the biggest benefits was the total freedom our little adventurers had. All of the sites are created with families in mind and the one we stayed at had a small woodland behind our tents. This meant that the children in our group could totally embrace their Famous Five era! 

What are Feather Down Farms like?

Feather Down Farms are located across the UK and while they each have similar set-ups in terms of the canvas tents used for accommodation, they do vary somewhat in the amenities they offer. 

We stayed at Moor Farm in Gloucestershire and instantly felt at home in our tent, which included a private shower hut next to it. Behind the tents was a little woodland area, which our children spent the entire day running in and out of, building dens and playing on a rope swing. 

Farmers Richard and Wendy were very welcoming and Richard took us on a farm tour in a trailer pulled by his tractor. He explained the regenerative farming techniques he has introduced over the years and the children were thrilled to see the various animals. 

On Saturday we joined other campers in the farmyard for a pizza night. It was a very relaxed evening, where we chose the toppings for our pizzas, which were then cooked for us in an outdoor pizza oven. (At some Feather Down Farms campers can cook their own pizzas.)

Moor Farm also has a wood-heated indoor swimming pool, which would be amazing for families. Although unfortunately we were there too early in the season for it to be warm enough to be used. 

When you book a Feather Down Farms stay you are provided with information about nearby attractions and walks. While we had a lovely walk along the canal for a pub lunch, we soon retreated back to camp as there was just so much for the children to do there.

What amenities do Feather Down Farms have?

Described as a “cottage under canvas” the Feather Down Farm tents include most of the items you’ll need for a weekend of glamping. 

Each tent can sleep up to six people and includes a bedroom with a double bed, a bedroom with bunk beds and – the children’s favourite –  a cupboard bed. All bedding and towels are provided and I must say, the bed was one of the comfiest I’ve slept in for a long time. We also visited at the very start of the season, in April, and while the nights were still quite chilly we felt really warm and cosy under the duvets.

There is no electricity in the tent, so oil lamps and candles are used to light it during the evening. The wood burning stove also needs to be regularly stoked in order to keep the tent warm. This may not be needed as much in the summer (when you can actually roll the sides of the tent up to let a breeze through) but will definitely be appreciated in the spring and autumn. There is a chest in the tent for fridge items, which can be kept cool with ice packs from the farm. Some farms also have a fridge on site, along with plug sockets for things like charging phones, which can be used if needed.  

The kitchen is well stocked with cooking utensils and even has an old fashioned mill to grind coffee beans to get you going on a morning.

All of the tents include an indoor flushing toilet. However, the showers depend on which style of tent you opt for. The options are either a farmhouse shower, which is housed in a separate block away from your tent; a private outdoor shower, which is a fun bucket shower in a hut next to your tent or an en-suite shower inside your tent. All of them have hot water (unless you choose to get back to nature with a brisk cold shower!)

Are Feather Down Farms worth the money?

Obviously a Feather Down Farm holiday costs more than a regular camping holiday. Prices start from around £169 per night for a tent which sleeps 6 and most sites require you to book for a minimum of two nights. However you are paying for a different kind of experience.

If you like the idea of spending time in nature, but would prefer to have a few creature comforts, then this is definitely the right trip for you. The comfy beds, well-equipped kitchen and flushing toilet all make it a much more comfy experience for people who are not keen on the idea of back to basics camping.

It is also a great option if you a short on time, as it takes away most of the pre-planning needed and saves time when you arrive as there’s no need to set up camp.

It’s also just lovely to do as a treat every once in a while. We obviously wouldn’t do it all the time, as we have our campervan. But as a special trip with friends it was really worth it and we would definitely go again. Although next time I’m going to choose one with a hot tub!

Top tips for staying at a Feather Down Farm

• Make sure you are confident with lighting and maintaining the wood burning stove, which is your only way to warm the tent. If you’re unsure, check with the farmer who can give you a lesson. In colder months it’s worth one member of the family getting up a bit earlier to get the fire going to avoid a chilly start to the day!
• While oil lamps are provided, bring a couple of torches to navigate the tent at night, especially for little ones.
• Bring a portable charger to charge smaller items like mobile phones.
• Choose meals which can be cooked on a stove top or outdoor grill. Curries, chillies or barbecued meat are all good options. Many of the farms also host a pizza night at the weekends, which you can join for an additional charge.

Are Feather Down Farms dog friendly?

Some of the Feather Down Farms are dog friendly and there is an option on the website to select the ones which are. Obviously it’s worth remembering that they are working farms, so the usual rules about keeping your dog on a lead while around livestock apply.