Foxglove Farm: The perfect digital detox for families this summer
Not only was it our first time glamping as a couple, it was our first time glamping as a family of “four” with our overexcited spaniel Louis and 4-month-old baby. We needn’t have been worried: upon arrival, Kathe warmly welcomed us into our “cottage under canvas”, which looked spectacular in the late afternoon sunshine.
Part of the Featherdown Farm collection of glamping sites, each “tent” comes with lounging deckchairs, an outdoor oven, a campfire, sofa, fully equipped kitchen with wood burning stove (and running water), a dining table for six, three sleeping areas, and a toilet and shower. We were struck by the space, both inside and out and everything had been carefully designed to combine the fun of being under canvas with the necessities to make it very relaxing, from sumptuous crispy white sheets, duvets and pillows to a traditional coffee grinder for the morning coffee.
Despite its close proximity to London (just 2 hours’ drive), you wouldn’t know it: Foxglove Farm is located in the beautiful and quiet Berkshire countryside, inside the AONB North Wessex Downs, with rare-breed sheep, friendly goats, chickens and cattle. We unpacked our baby and dog paraphernalia before heading out to a wonderful local pub, the Jack Russell Inn in Faccombe, where we had impeccable service and delicious local food. We came back to watch the sunset and enjoy marshmallows over our campfire, whilst our spaniel lazed on the veranda.
The break from the Internet - and even electricity - was very welcome, and after putting baby down I read a book for the first time in a long time whilst my partner attended to the wood burner and made me a hot chocolate. A particular highlight was playing Scrabble by candlelight. The night chorus was exciting: we heard owls and cuckoos as we fell asleep, which seemed to elicit a long night's sleep from our baby - something we haven't had in months.
The next day we did not let the weather dampen our mood - and with picnic plans for breakfast called off, we stopped in at the village cafe, “Honesty”, where we had a hearty full English breakfast. The shop sells all sorts of provisions for those who have forgotten any essentials.
There are plenty of places to visit in the vicinity, including the famous Highclere Castle (i.e. the infamous Downton Abbey) and Inkpen Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. A highlight for us was exploring the iron age hillfort of Beacon Hill. If you enjoy exploring history, a walk up to Combe Gibbet is a must to see the 7.6 metre high double gibbet erected in 1676.
Foxglove Farm is glamping for the “camping curious” - the ability to rediscover the joys of spending time together as a family, with the added comfort of floorboards, beds and running water, and the ambience of candlelight, warmth of the woodburner and smell of sizzling sausages on a nearby campfire.
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Words by Kirsty Finlayson - see more