Looking back on the earlier part of 2024, it is hard to believe that the ground was ever going to dry up enough to get anything planted, let alone harvested this year. But here we are, at the beginning of September, and our crops are safely in the barn and everyone is happy.
At Great Farm we have 1000 hectares of arable land that we use to produce a selection of cereals for human and animal consumption. Every year, we rotate the crops grown in each field so that they take different nutrients from the soil and the ground doesn’t become poached and tired.
This year we have grown lots of milling wheat, the type that goes into your bread. It’s all been harvested, rigorously tested to tick all the baker’s requirements, and safely stored in the barns until it’s loaded up and taken to the flour mills.
We grow peas as a spring break crop as they are a legume, and prevent the soil becoming nitrogen deficient. The pea plants have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen to form nitrogen compounds that benefit the soil and any future crops. In our case, we grow mushy peas, perfect for having with your fish and chips.
We also grow ‘feed wheat’ that’s used for animal feed and spring barley which we keep to feed our own cattle. The farm is very self-sufficient, and the cattle graze the water meadows in the summer before coming into the barns in the winter and eating our home-produced compounds and silage.
All our crops produce straw as a by product, the stalky bit that’s left after the grains are removed. This is baled up and sent down to Devon to be used as animal bedding, so nothing is wasted, and the whole crop is used.
We’ve already begun thinking about what our 2025 crop rotations will look like, and we’ve got everything crossed for a much kinder winter to make everything a bit easier.
Book Your StayAutumn is known for its stunning display of colourful foliage. Glamping during this season allows you to immerse yourself in nature's vibrant and picturesque landscapes.
The crisp, cooler air of autumn is perfect for outdoor activities . You can enjoy activities like walking, biking, and campfires comfortably.
Autumn glamping often involves cosy accommodations like cabins, yurts, or tents with heating options. It's the perfect time to enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire or a hot drink while snuggled up in blankets. Some of our camps even have underfloor heating!
Many popular holiday areas are less crowded the autumn compared to the summer months, offering a more peaceful and serene environment. The Cotswold towns are easier to park in and it's easier to book some amazing restaurants and activities at the last minute.
Autumn is a time when wildlife is more active, preparing for winter. You may have the opportunity to spot animals like deer, birds, and other creatures in their natural habitats. The falling leaves mean it is harder for animals to stay hidden, creating some great photo opportunities!
Some of our local farm shops and cafes offer special autumn-themed activities like apple picking and pumpkin carving.
Autumn is synonymous with delicious seasonal foods like apples, pumpkins, and hearty stews. You can enjoy these flavours in your glamping meals or visit local farms and markets. What better than a hearty stew cooked over a campfire?
Cooler nights often mean clearer skies, making it an ideal time for stargazing. Bring a telescope or simply lay back and admire the constellations. Stargazing is even better if you happen to be sitting by a campfire!
The vibrant colours of autumn create fantastic photo opportunities. You will be able to capture the beauty of the season in your glamping surroundings.
The peaceful ambiance of autumn can be conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation. It's a great time to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. If you choose one of our off grid camps you can do a total digital detox!
Remember to check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly, as autumn can bring variable conditions. With the right clothing and gear, you can fully enjoy the benefits of glamping during this magical season.
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A quick internet search will soon reveal a long list of essential items for a successful camping trip. Here’s a summary of the things that are most often included on these lists...
Shelter and bedding
Lighting
Entertainment
Fuel – logs or gas – or both
Firelighting equipment - and possibly firefighting equipment?
Cooking equipment
Condiments such as cooking oil
Tea and coffee
Food
Washing up equipment
Towels
Tea towels
I absolutely LOVE camping, and have done since I was a child, but the packing of the car, unpacking, set up, take down, repacking of the car and putting away of everything, not to mention the space required to store it all, can be a bit of a bore!
This is where glamping comes in. A holiday at Great Farm will instantly make your list so much shorter! Really, you just need yourselves, your clothes and personal effects, and some food. In fact, you can even take food off the list if you like, and leave us to supply you with a delicious breakfast hamper or perhaps a lovely grazing platter. Many of our guests travel so lightly that they arrive on foot or by bike!
Book Your StayThe start of a few days in nature can go a couple of ways... if you are camping, you will arrive at the campsite, choose a spot, unpack the car, pitch your tent, set up your stove and cooking area, make your beds, set up a seating area, and then hopefully have a cup of tea. Or if things haven’t gone well, down a glass or two of wine and wonder who to blame for the fact that the tent poles aren’t in the bag with the tent!
With a glamping holiday you can pretty much head straight to the last step – everything is ready for you, a bed with crisp linen to jump in to, and a selection of tea coffee and biscuits ready to tuck in to. I am a huge fan of camping, and still like to dust the tent down a couple of times a year, but it really is hard to beat turning up at a lovely glamping spot to experience all the best things about camping with none of the hard work!
Another huge advantage of glamping is that it makes for a very comfortable holiday in spring or autumn when the days are shorter and the nights are colder. I really love the thought of cosying up next to a fire or woodburner with a good book, or wrapping up in a blanket to watch the weather in a warm and dry place. Glamping holidays in the rain are actually the perfect excuse to have a guilt free shut down – too wet to go for a walk? Never mind, how about a board game next to the woodburner?
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I am assuming that as you are here, you are already keen on the idea of a glamping holiday, perhaps you have already been on one, or are keen to try something new. I have always loved camping, and many years of disasters, from wet sleeping bags, to blown away tents and stoves that keep blowing out, have slowly converted me to the joys of sleeping in a slightly sturdier structure!
When we first started offering glamping holidays here at Great Farm, camping was the bedrock of everything we did, and we tried to offer the things that we enjoyed most about camping, and take away the most irritating and boring things! I have always been of the view that facilities do not need to be shared with anyone else (who wants to have to book a hot tub slot, or make small talk in the queue for the shower!?). To help you find the glamping holiday that suits you best, I would recommend using the following ‘three whats’ as a starting point. I love chatting to guests, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about glamping in general, or about Great Farm.
In the 10 years since the first glamping guests came to the farm, the choice of glamping holidays has grown exponentially, with ever more interesting and unusual places to stay popping up around the country. It is easy to be seduced by the structure, rather than the experience, and I have always felt that the first question to ask is what activities you would like to do during your stay. Answers can range from as little as possible, to a full programme of activities and events. It’s also worth having a think about the weather, and the time of year you plan to visit – outdoor cooking facilities are great fun when the days are long and the weather is kind, but if you plan a visit in autumn or winter, this may not be so much fun!
This boils down to the area you would like to visit, the places you would like to go during your stay, and the site set up – would you like a car friendly spot where you can park next to where you are staying, or are you happy to wheelbarrow your gear in order to enjoy a car free environment? Would you like neighbours to chat to? or maybe you would prefer splendid isolation? Would you prefer to be close to civilisation, with well lit and marked paths, or are you an adventurous type who likes to be off the beaten track?
This is an important one – a back to basics site is great fun, but can also be hard work, particularly if you need to burn logs for heating and hot water. Is mains electricity important to you? Are you keen to be off grid? If there is a hot tub, would like to just turn up and jump in, or would you enjoy the fun of heating a wood fired tub? if you are travelling with children, glamping is the stuff dreams are made of....look out for woods to explore, ponds to dip, and rivers to paddle in.
Great Farm Glamping
I really love November, it’s so interesting to watch the landscape open up as the trees lose their leaves, and it always seems to be a great month for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. I also find the shortening days a great excuse for baking cakes, lighting the fire and curling up with a book!! Glamping in November is a joy; cosy log burners, steaming hot tubs and great walks all add up to a dream holiday. It’s such a good time of year for nature spotting, the birds are still singing in the mornings, the deer are active, and the foxes and badgers are much easier to spot as they go about their business.
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