Unusual Places to Stay on a UK Farm

Quirky Accommodation in the English and Welsh Countryside

Jul 8, 2009 Kathryn Liston

From an oast house to a pig sty, shepherd's hut to milking room with a moo, there are lots of unusual places to stay on the farm with great views

Farm holidays are fun, especially when children are in tow. While they can enjoy feeding the calves or helping out with milking, parents can stroll through fruit-laden orchards and go horseback-riding over beautiful countryside.

And with so many types of unusual farm stays available, it can be lots of fun deciding where to go, whatever the time of year.

Stay in a Shepherd’s Hut, Room with a Moo or Pigsty with a view

This cute hut, dating back to the 1800s on Hill Farm, Near Southam, Warwickshire, was used by shepherds tending their sheep on the South Downs for more than 100 years. It’s plusher nowadays but still has the wheels which enabled shepherds to keep on the move with their sheep. It is a 400-acre working farm so there is plenty for visitors to do.

It’ll be moo-sic to any visitor's ears to hear that you the cows are long gone from the newly converted timber-beamed milking parlour in the grounds of 17th century Home Farm at Upper Strensham, Worcestershire. Guests don't even have to get up at the crack of dawn either. The parlour sleeps three people and the walls are suitably painted in cream!

Fortunately Piggery Place at Old House Farm Cottages, Buxton, Derbyshire lost its porky residents years ago. Situated within the fabulous Peak District, it sleeps four, and features beamed ceilings and central heating to make any stay – or should that be sty? – a comfortable one. It's a working farm so visitors definitely won’t be boar-ed!

The pigs at Cyfie Farm in Montgomeryshire, Wales, certainly had one of the best views in Wales. Today, guests can relax in a welcoming hot tub and enjoy a glorious view of the Vyrnwy Valley from the pigsty spa conversion. The 17th century cattle shed and granary have also been converted into five-star graded self-catering cottages and there’s stabling and kennels for a horse and dog – honest, that's not a porkie!

Tastefully converted Oast House, Apple Stores, Granary & Malt House

Holidaymakers looking for something more fruity can opt to stay in one of these fabulous store conversions.

The charming 17th century Oast house at Hallwood Farm in Cranbrook, Kent, still has the original beams so mind one's head! Situated amid 200 acres of ‘Ribena’ blackcurrants, apples and sheep, it borders Bedgebury forest and is handily situated close to various National Trust properties such as Sissinghurst.

Forget apple pie beds at these former fruit stores. Over at Orchard and Bramley Cottages on Rosemerryn Farm in Falmouth,Cornwall, it’s modern day living all the way Sleeping four and eight people respectively, they feature open plan living areas and oak flooring. Orchard cottage also has a log burning fire and exposed beams.

Beer and whiskey drinkers will love staying at Malt House and the Granary, which were renovated a few years ago. Aptly situated in the Bran Valley, the Granary adjoins Penpentre Farmhouse in Llanfihangel-Nant-Bran near the Brecon Beacons. Tastefully converted, it boasts exposed beams and two bedrooms.

A night in Showjumping Stables or Carriage House?

Milk is in plentiful supply on the 2,000 acre Puncknowle Manor Estate in Dorchester, Dorset. Children can feed the calves at nearby Berwick Farm and watch the 700 pedigree Holstein Friesian being milked. The converted carriage house has exposed beams and complimentary wi-fi.

International show jumping horses belonging to the owner’s children used to be stabled at Loaninghead Farm, near Loch Lomond, Scotland, this former hunting lodge. Tastefully converted into a two-bedroom cottage, it is within an easy canter of beautiful Loch Lomond and the stunning Trossachs.

And if these farm stays do not have the kids jumping for joy, there are plenty more farm stays on offer all over the United Kingdom.

The copyright of the article Unusual Places to Stay on a UK Farm in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Kathryn Liston. Permission to republish Unusual Places to Stay on a UK Farm in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Cosy Shepherd's Hut