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10 Top Farm Stays to Create a Great Spring Break

Farm stays give you time to experience life on a farm. What better season is there to stay on a farm than spring? With rows of delightful daffodils, blushing blossoms, and the birth of lambs and chicks, book a farm stay this spring!

What are farm stays?

A farm stay is any accommodation on a working farm, such as a cosy farm cottage, barn, shepherd’s hut, or caravan. Many are family-focused. They allow you to feed animals and collect eggs, apples, and crops. Plus, you can learn how a farm functions.

Most farm accommodation is officially graded by Farm Stay UK (a ‘Not-for-profit’ farmer-owned consortium). You’ll usually find accommodation within working farms, smallholdings, rural enterprises, and properties. After a warm welcome from your host, they’ll show you around the surrounding areas they know inside and out. In time, you’ll enjoy a refreshing country life experience.

Staying on a working farm will be an enriching experience for both you and your family. Awake each morning to the sounds of animals and create unique spring break memories. It’s a time to learn how to shear sheep while enjoying the open countryside and nature.

Plus, you can choose the pace of your break. Rise early with the cockcrow to milk cows and pluck fresh eggs from chicken coops for breakfast. Or, lie in before embarking on a horse/bike ride to the next village for lunch. For ideas, inspiration, and why a farm holiday could be your spring break of choice view these lovely locations…

 

1: Wales

A great example of a working farm holiday in Wales is Humble by Nature. It was created by BBC television presenter and narrator Kate Humble and her husband Ludo Graham. Awake in a shepherd’s hut or sleep in a charming cottage within 117 acres, before meeting rare pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep. Also, learn traditional, rural skills from farmer Tim, such as hedge laying, cider making, bee-keeping, and planting an edible garden.

bee keeping

2: Cheshire

While staying in a self-catering holiday cottage in the idyllic Cheshire countryside, relax one day then help feed the calves the next. From January to April, you can watch lambs being born. If you visit in summer you can learn haymaking. Also, there are many walks to wander along, after discovering rare breeds of chickens and pigs. Throughout your break, you’ll learn how farming is becoming more ecological too.

child with chick

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3: The New Forest

To meet farmyard animals, escape to the New Forest, and stay on a working farm or in a holiday cottage. Here, you’ll find friendly sheep, cows, and chickens. Collect chicken eggs at Hucklesbrook Farm, Fordingbridge. While exploring the farm you’ll also notice wild pigs and ponies roaming across the forest. To see more animals outside the farm cycle or walk somewhere pleasant for lunch. farm stays for toddlers

4: Cornwall

In Cornwall, you’re never too far from the coast. Yet, it has many miles of countryside and farmlands to explore, such as Trevaskis Farm, in Hayle. Through a natural affiliation with the environment and following best ecological practices, Cornish farmers have built a thriving agricultural industry. In the West Country, a range of high-quality products are grown and shared. So when you’re visiting Cornwall, look out for your local farm shop to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables for dinner. Also in Cornwall are dog-friendly farm holidays, with suitable walks for you and your four-legged friend.

dog friendly farm stays

5: The Cotswolds

If you enjoy walking holidays, why not book a farm stay in the Cotswolds, while following The Cotswolds Way? On route, stay in barns built of Cotswold stone and meet local farmers, to learn how they milk cows. They’ll share their experience of tending to the lambs and you can observe a simpler way of life.

If you love gardening, find inspiration to enhance yours by strolling through meadows, gardens, and woodlands throughout the Cotswolds. On route to your next pit stop, spot native British flora such as orchids, poppies, bluebells, and buttercups. Also, pause for thought while watching the wildlife along the river banks, lakes, and wetlands.

lamb

6: The Lake District

There are many authentic farm cottages in the Lake District to embrace some fresh air during a farm holiday. Walk amongst grazing sheep, while observing traditional farming. Or capture photos of this top World Heritage Site by visiting Lake Windermere and Whinlatter Forest. If you go self-catering, stroll to the local  farmers’ market to pick up some locally sourced bacon and bread. You can even round off the day by observing the buzz of a busy cattle market.

farm stay in the peak district

7: Yorkshire

A stay in the Yorkshire Dales is a great place for a staycation in the UK. Full of friendly locals, pubs, and home to the three peaks, it’s not hard to see why. On a spring break here, gaze across meadowlands, drystone-walled fields, and hay meadows. While resting in a cottage, caravan, or cabin, listen to the sound of grazing cattle and wild birdsong. For a taste of farm life, ask the farmer to arrange a farm tour or venture to a farm park. Children can make farmyard friends such as llamas and then everyone can enjoy a cream tea in the sunshine.

farm stays in the UK

8: Devon

Watch the farmers complete their daily farm chores, such as cow milking and lambing, or get involved and feed the lambs alongside them. There are many farming activities to enjoy throughout a stay in Devon, such as feeding the ducks, pigs, and goats. You may even be allowed to ride ponies, after learning about pigkeeping. Then, at the end of the day relax in a cosy converted barn, stable, or large country estate with some scones, cream, and jam.

pigs in the hay

9: The Peak District

Find a barn or farm cottage on a family-run farm in the Peak District. While exploring the farm with the farmer, learn where your food comes from and meet all the animals. During the day watch the wildlife, such as butterflies and buzzards. For a more active day go mountain biking, climbing, or sailing. Then at night, spot owls and badgers.

cows at sunset

10: Free working farm holidays in Europe

Would you be prepared to work on a farm, while staying in its beautiful surroundings and tucking into its products – for free? That’s exactly what a free working farm holiday is. Set up in 1971 by a London-based secretary (who wanted people to have access to the countryside), learn about rural life while staying at one of many WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) farms worldwide. From France, Denmark, or outside of Europe, embrace solo travel or travel with a friend.

working farm stay

Don’t forget Free Spirit Travel Insurance for Farm Stays

Will you be visiting a farm for a great spring break?

Whichever lush location you choose in the UK or Europe, our insurance will cover you and all your party – whether they have pre-existing medical conditions or not and regardless of age. With over 100 activities included for free, you’ll all have the freedom to travel with confidence!

Use our online quote form to get a policy in place today.

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