Cotswold Farm Park Holidays

Stand aside Old MacDonald, Adam Henson may soon be your family’s new farming hero. The BBC Countryfile presenter owns the Cotswold Farm Park, and these days it’s not just a place to go for a day out but also a place to stay. It has a range of accommodation options that are in keeping with the outdoorsy ethos of the place: rustic little lodges, homely safari tents and great-value camping pods. Each offers a comfortable place to bed down after days of wholesome family fun meeting the animals at the farm park next door.

Cotswold Farm Park has been welcoming guests since the 1970s when Adam’s father started his collection of rare breed farm animals and inspired his son to follow in his footsteps. Now, the farm has more than 50 rare breed flocks and herds on a 650-hectare estate. You can meet them as you make your way around the farm trail and then duck into the Discovery Barn, where you can get even closer to some of the smaller animals – perhaps bottle feeding lambs or holding just-hatched chicks. It’s tempting to say that woodland walks and a great play area for kids complete what’s on offer here but the truth is there’s almost always something extra going on. A flower festival in the summer, potato and pumpkin patches later in the season. And then there are the views...

The farm and its accommodation sit on top of a Cotswold ridge, with stunning vistas and dreamy sunsets too. There’s no better place to enjoy these from than the steamy waters of your own hot tub. This is available with the most luxurious of the rustic accommodation here – the six wooden lodges and the super-sized safari tent, which sleeps up to seven people. The lodges each sleep between four and six and come with all modern comforts, including a well-equipped family kitchen, private bathroom, WiFi and Smart TV, outside deck and barbecue (and of course that all-important hot tub!). There are six smaller safari tents too, with space for up to five, and all the tents are also well kitted out for self-catering stays with kitchen facilities and en-suite private bathrooms.

If you're after something a little simpler, Cotswolds Farm Park also offers touring and camping pitches, and – if you're too posh to pitch! – camping pods: simple wooden huts with bunk beds, bean bags and basic furnishings. These options come with no cooking facilities but, to be honest, that’s little matter. Whichever accommodation you choose, you’re likely to be eating at the farm park’s bar and restaurant, The Ox Shed. And although there’s little reason to head further than the farm on holidays here, there are plenty of lovely options for eating and sightseeing out there among the surrounding Cotswolds hills.