Tasting a slice of the countryside can be a welcome break from urban life and what better way to sample it, than a farm holiday where you get to stay in a traditional cottage or farmhouse and experience country living first hand. For children, a farm holiday is an educational and fun experience where they can learn about a different way of living. Many owners of farm cottages are more than happy to show guests around the farm and some will even allow the kids to take a ride on a tractor, help feed the animals or collect fresh eggs for breakfast. If you are lucky, you may even be able to purchase home reared produce for that extra special supper with the freshest of local ingredients! Read more
Deep in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside, the owners of Fullers Hill Cottages have created a peaceful retreat where guests can relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Number 1 Fullers Hill Cottages comfortably sleeps four guests in two bedrooms (plus an extra two on a sofa bed) and is as comfortable for couples as it is for families and friends. The Georgian cottage is on a family-run farm and has been renovated to a very high standard, earning it four stars from Visit England. It is only 15 miles from Cambridge and around an hour from central London, making it possible to escape to the countryside without sacrificing metropolitan delights. The cottage can be booked on its own or together with the estate's other five cottages for family reunions, hen weekends and other celebrations with family and friends. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Four lovely stylish holiday apartments located amongst the beautiful South Cambridgeshire countryside with an exclusive new hot tub. Very well presented and located, the self-catering apartments are ideal for parties of two to six guests and welcome dogs. Fourteen miles from the City of Cambridge. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Escape to the country in less than an hour from London Euston? Yes, please! This delightful self-catering cottage is in the quiet village of Winfield, only 15-minutes from Leighton Buzzard and within walking distance of a good pub. There is space for four people in two bedrooms, so it is ideal for couples, small families, friends and even people on business who are sick of cramped, boring hotels. Bedfordshire has beautiful country walks, excellent dining and shopping, theatres, country houses, zoos, museums, golf courses and spas. It is perfect for a romantic break or a family holiday.
The largest of all of Fullers Hill's fabulous holiday cottages, The Granary sleeps up to six guests in two en-suite sumptuous bedrooms and has an exceptionally large social living area for a cottage of this size where large groups of up to fourteen can dine around one table. Sitting in a tranquil position amongst the South Cambridgeshire countryside, this stylish holiday retreat is a popular choice for families, friends and large parties (when hired with other cottages) and offers dog friendly self-catering of a high standard with the use of a communal hot tub in the grounds. Only fourteen miles from Cambridge City centre. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
As pretty as its name, Apple Cottage nestles amongst beautiful countryside in South Cambridgeshire and is perfect for couples, friends and families. Offering a warm welcome to dogs (and even horses!) this gorgeous holiday cottage provides the perfect mix of character and modern style and is just fourteen miles from Cambridge City centre. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Offering single level self-catering that is fully wheel-chair accessible, The Stables is perfect for couples having one bedroom, as well as families happy to use the sofa bed. Stylish throughout, The Stables has been beautifully presented to a high standard and sits amongst glorious countryside in South Cambridgeshire. Fabulous local walking, cycling and horse riding and just fourteen miles from Cambridge City centre. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
With its own private hot tub, The Tack Room is one of Fullers Hill's most popular holiday retreats. Like the others it is stylish and modern throughout and offers self-catering of a high standard. Sitting in a rural position amongst the glorious countryside of South Cambridgeshire, guests have the best of both worlds with an abundance of outdoor pursuits to enjoy on the doorstep and Cambridge city centre just fourteen miles away. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
The Old Dairy is one of the stylish holiday apartments available at Fullers Hill nestling amongst glorious South Cambridgeshire countryside. Perfect for families and friends, sleeping four guests (or six with the use of a sofa bed), the surrounding area offers all the right ingredients to relax and unwind with plenty of space inside and out (including a hot tub in the garden for guest use), fabulous walking, cycling, horse riding and attractions including Cambridge city centre just fourteen miles away. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
North Barn is actually two comfortable properties on the Isle of Sheppey. Each holiday cottage sleeps six people in three bedrooms with beautiful views over fields and farmland towards the sea. Guests have use of the owner's 13 acres of land, and it's possible to walk from the cottages through the neighbouring farm to the coast. The barn is a mile from Eastchurch and only a short drive from Neats Court and Sheppey. With beaches, nature reserves, footpaths and cycling routes, the location is ideal for families all year round.
Four spacious holiday cottages, comfortably furnished with exposed beams and original features providing a peaceful retreat within walking distance of the historic market town of Thame in Oxfordshire. Within easy reach of the Cotswolds for day trips out and a great self-catering base for exploring Central England. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
The Old Dairy is a comfy welcoming holiday cottage in the pretty tranquil Oxfordshire hamlet of Moreton. Comfortably furnished with lovely character features and a peaceful setting to relax with the many amenities of Thame within walking distance, and an abundance of attractions in the nearby Cotswolds and Central England just waiting to be discovered. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Located in the pretty hamlet of Moreton in Oxfordshire, Byre Cottage provides a warm welcome and enjoys a lovely peaceful setting from which to relax and explore Central England. With many original features, this cosy character cottage is conveniently placed within walking distance of the market town of Thame with a good range of amenities. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
The Shepherd's Rest is a rural holiday cottage two miles south of Thurso on the far north coast of Scotland. The property sleeps six people in three ensuite bedrooms and suits families, friends or couples, including those with dogs. It's an incredible spot close to two golf courses, numerous beaches, castles, and remnants of Viking habitation. Spend your days walking, cycling, or touring the North Coast 500 route in a car or on a motorbike. Thurso has excellent amenities whether you choose to self-cater or dine out.
The Herdsman's House is a highland holiday home sleeping 12 people in five bedrooms with a walled garden, outdoor hot tub and a games room. It's surrounded by fields with beautiful rural views, yet only 1.5 miles from Thurso. Families and friends love the self-catering accommodation, which is comfortable without being too fancy for relaxation. Thurso is on the spectacular North Coast 500 route, with coastal footpaths where you can spot puffins and orcas and get fantastic views over the North Atlantic Ocean to the Orkney Islands. The Thurso holiday rental is child and pet friendly.
Perfect for couples, Walnut is a comfortable holiday retreat sleeping two, situated on an extensive arable farm of some three hundred acres on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire borders. Nestling amongst glorious rolling countryside, this welcoming cottage offers all the right ingredients to relax and is a good base for discovering the areas many attractions. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Located on a farmstead in the North York Moors National Park, these two self-catering holiday cottages provide the ideal retreat for anyone who enjoys walking or simply wants to relax in beautiful countryside. Just a mile from Hutton-le-hole with a good pub serving food and within easy driving distance of Pickering, Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Four very comfortable 4 Star holiday cottages located on a three hundred acre arable farm on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire borders amongst beautiful rolling countryside. The largest of them all, Acorn sleeps up to eight guests with the other cottages accommodating parties of four and two, making them a popular choice with couples, friends and large groups of extended family. Plenty of attractions in the area for day trips out. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Four very comfortable holiday cottages located on a three hundred acre arable farm on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire borders, perfect for large groups of up to eighteen. Sitting amongst beautiful rolling countryside, the cottages welcome couples, families and large groups of friends wanting to getaway together. Plenty of attractions for day trips out with convenient access to motorways. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Four very comfortable holiday cottages located on a three hundred acre arable farm on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire borders nestling amongst beautiful rolling countryside. Sleeping from 2-18 guests, the cottages are ideal for couples, families and large groups. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Bowmont Cottage is a stone's throw from the Scottish border and within easy reach of the Northumberland National Park, Kelso and Wooler. It's the perfect holiday rental whether you're with family or friends, having excellent access to footpaths and cycling trails, and being close to favourite attractions. Berwick-Upon-Tweed is around 20 minutes away, while Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle are well under an hour's drive. The single-storey holiday cottage is on a working farm. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and has far-reaching views of the Cheviot Hills.
Set amongst beautiful countryside, a farm holiday provides the opportunity to enjoy all that country life has to offer. Beautiful scenery, traditional pubs, great walks and the chance to immerse yourself in the workings and culture of the local environment. Whatever the time of year, there is always plenty to see when you stay on a farm with the ever changing landscape all around. In the spring, the farmers are busy lambing and the autumn brings with it the warmth and golden colours of harvest.
Whether you opt to stay on an arable farm or a livestock farm, there are generally plenty of animals to be seen in and around the surrounding countryside. Cows, chickens and pigs are all common farmyard sights but many farms also keep rare breeds for something a little different.
Farm holidays are very popular and renting self catering accommodation in a farm setting is an affordable way to enjoy a relaxing break with plenty of things to see and do on the doorstep. For adults and children alike, a farm holiday provides a fun and interesting way to spend a few days watching, doing and learning about the countryside.
Tips: Due to the rural nature of many farm holidays, you may need to get stocked up on some essentials before you arrive. Remember to bring wellington boots; even if you are visiting in summer it can still get muddy! If dogs are accepted at the cottage, they may have to be kept under close control in and around the farm due to livestock.
