Family Friendly Glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms

My family and I recently travelled to the beautiful Lake District for a unique 3 night glamping experience with Feather Down Farms. We stayed at Howbeck Lodge, which is one of 32 Feather Down Farms spread across the UK. The farms all share a common value; offering the joys of camping but with the home comforts we know and love.

My stay at Howbeck Lodge was part of a press invitation in exchange for a blog review. All words and photos are my own.

Their spacious tents offer proper beds with mattresses, fluffy bedding, hot showers and a toilet, whilst still allowing you to immerse yourself in nature in the most peaceful of settings. With no electricity and minimal Wi-Fi, its a chance to disconnect from every day life and spend quality time with the most important people in your life.

You’re challenged to cook your meals and make hot drinks on a wood burning stove, which is all part of the fun. You can collect freshly laid eggs from the farm hens, fire up the barbecue and hand-grind your own coffee beans. And when you’ve had enough of stoking fires, you can get freshly made pizzas and home cooked farmhouse meals delivered to your tent. Heaven!

Howbeck Lodge at a glance

Howbeck Lodge is a family-run farm and campsite located just outside the village of Hesket Newmarket in the North Lakes. Hesket Newmarket is a small village with a local pub which serves meals, a post office and a lovely children’s playground. This is all in 5 minutes walking distance (maybe a bit longer for little legs).

The next village along is Caldbeck, which is larger with a village pub, a couple of cafes and boutique shops, as well as an Old Mill with shops and stream running through it. Both villages are well worth exploring and provide lovely, simple trips out with kids in tow. There are also plenty of beautiful walks and hikes in the area that are worth exploring. Some of these start from or go through Hesket Newmarket.

Glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms

Our Tent

The Feather Down Farm tents at Howbeck Lodge are incredibly spacious with a lovely rustic feel to them. The tents sleep up to 6 people, with a double bedroom, a double ‘snug’ room off the living room, and single bunk beds (perfect for kids).

There is a main living area with dining room, sofa, kitchen area and wood burning stove. All cooking equipment and crockery is provided, so you can literally just turn up and enjoy! By night, the cosy space can be lit by putting candles in the many hanging lanterns provided. There is also a bathroom with a flushable toilet, small sink and a hot shower which is heated by gas. Towels are also provided.

Close to the tents there is a babbling stream which I could hear at night when lying in bed. It was so relaxing! My son loved exploring the stream and having a paddle. TIP: Pack wellies or beach shoes!

You are welcome to bring your own food for your stay, but there is also the options to pre-order breakfast hampers and barbecue packs. We got the breakfast pack and it was incredibly generous, full of full sized branded products. We had more than enough for our stay and it felt like a real luxury!

Family-Friendly Farm

Howbeck Lodge is incredibly family friendly, with lots of farm animals for children to meet and interact with including sheep, chickens, horses and a shetland pony. As long as supervised by an adult, children are welcome to pet the animals, enter their enclosures and collect eggs from the hens. There’s also two football goals and plenty of space to run around and play.

Good to Know

A few bits of information I learnt whilst staying at Howbeck Lodge;

• Whilst there is no electricity within the individual tents, plug sockets are available to guests in the communal shower block, meaning you can still charge your phone and blow dry your hair - if you want to! Also in this shower block are communal fridges.
• There is also a cool box within the tents. They stay cool by using frozen hot water bottles which are supplied on site for free.
• As well as being a site for Feather Down Farm luxury glamping tents, Howbeck Lodge is also an independent business and campsite where people can pitch up their own tents. These tents are in a neighbouring area of the farm.
• For parents worrying about kids waking early due to the summer light, don’t fear! You can roll the blind down for each window of the tent which makes it completely blackout - a massive plus I wasn’t expecting.
• Pack wellies so kids can play in the nearby stream.
• Howbeck Lodge is a family-run business and the family still live in the main farm house onsite. Christine and her son did a wonderful job of looking after us. Meeting them gave it a really personal touch.
• Wheelbarrows are available for transporting your things from your car to your tent. You cannot park directly outside your tent.
• Dogs are not allowed.

Glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms is the perfect introduction to camping, or for those with young families who need that extra bit of convenience. I would wholeheartedly recommend a stay here to friends, family and of course to you, my lovely readers.

Prices for a Feather Down Farm at Howbeck Lodge start from £44o for 2 nights, £490 for 4 nights and £730 for 7 nights. Please note the farm closes for the winter season from October to March, reopening for the spring season on 31st March.

Browse prices and Book now

Read more of my blogs for ideas on UK short breaks.

Have you ever had a similar glamping experience? Are you planning a trip to the Lake District? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment in the box below. Jess x