Upper Shadymoor - a Feather Down farm, Shropshire
Stapleton, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Angela, Jason and the four kids set off on their farming adventure:
Our Feather Down retreat was on Upper Shadymoor Farm, nestled in the depths of stunning Shropshire countryside, surrounded by a brook, 15 pools, horses, sheep, goats and puppies.
The Tents
The tents are located a short walk from the beautiful farmhouse B&B where the showers and farm larder are also housed. There are six of them facing inwards towards a fenced pool and a chicken coop.
Each tent sleeps up to six, with a comfy double bed, bunk-bed room and a large cupboard bed, all hidden behind the kitchen area, oh and a flushing toilet! The decor and all the kitchen equipment hark back to the American Midwest settlers, enamel pots and pans, heart shapes cut out of rustic wooden cupboards – just lovely!
There is no electricity, so oil lamps, candles and a wood burning stove are the only sources of light and heat. From a practical point of view we did have to be on high alert with our crawling 11month old who had to be kept away from the stove and the edge of the tent floor. She did tumble out at one point but thankfully there were no witnesses!
Supplies
We took our basic camping box with us consisting of a single gas burning stove, head torches, citronella candles etc., this meant we could make a much need cuppa whilst waiting for the fire to get going in the morning. You could simply rock up with a weekend bag and your Hunters and have your every whim catered for, either from the farm's larder or the home cooked meals provided by the family but it would be quite costly.
To Do at Upper Shadymoor
The owners, Kevan and Joy Fox were lovely hosts. Kevan took everyone on a very informative and entertaining guided wildlife walk on Saturday morning. Activity wise, you are spoilt for choice- cedar hot tub, wild swimming, water trampoline, fishing lessons, deer safari, to name a few, but all of these are added extras and are much more suitable for older children and adults of course.
For two whole days, our kids didn't see or use a screen of any description, they were off playing in the brook with the other children they had befriended, catching bugs and frogs in fishing nets, building camp fires, feeding goats, walking puppies and all for free. They loved every minute, even when it rained and so did we, as we could watch from the dry, warm cosy interior of our tent!
Out & About
Whilst we were there we visited Acton Scott, a Victorian working farm just 20 minutes away. It was a great afternoon out watching farming and domestic tasks being carried out by costumed demonstrators. All in all our weekend was a step back in time and back to basics which I think we could all do with doing more regularly. It makes you realise just how little you do need to get by on.
And Finally …
We met a family who were having a reunion, and for this purpose it is perfect to accommodate large numbers of people in a beautiful social setting, in luxury tents with a difference and for those who wouldn't stay under canvas could stay in the comfort of the B&B.
If you are used to camping then staying at a Feather Down farm is like being upgraded to the penthouse suite, if you've never been camping before then it is a unique, romantic introduction to the great outdoors. Get booking!