Manor Farm, Feather Down Farms, Hampshire, England

As the farm that introduced the UK to the Feather Down experience, Manor has hosted many a feature and fashion shoot. However, our farm still remains an oasis just an hour from London. The tents are in the old farm orchard, under trees or backed into hedgerows, and look out over rolling countryside. Each has its own campfire for cooking hearty meals in the stew pot, or toasting marshmallows.

The layout of the farm means it’s as suited to groups as to families or couples coming on their own. Our guests rave about the farm buggy, aboard which we conduct the Farm Tour and check the animals every day – several times during lambing season in April. Wandering off site, there’s great local pubs, wild swimming at Frensham Ponds, or a more traditional paddle at West Wittering on the coast.

Back at the farm, our guests love having barbecues under the stars, for which we provide the meat – our marinated butterflied leg of lamb being a favourite. We also offer fresh bread, croissants and your favourite paper delivered to your personal Feather Down locker in the Farm Larder. All this is perhaps why we have so many repeat bookers.

Will & Anna Brock

Greentraveller's Insight: The Manor Farm Featherdown Experience
The Manor Farm tents are located in and around the old farm orchard, some facing towards the orchard itself and some looking out over Alton and the surrounding countryside. The tents each have their own private space, but this is still a fantastic accommodation for groups. There's also a new luxurious 'Farm with Frills' option that includes a private hot tub and shower just outside your tent, complete with hot water. All guests can also opt to rent out the smoking barrel in order to smoke their own chicken and fish, plus there's the chance to buy Soup and Stew ingredient kits to cook over the open fire.

• Farm Tour aboard the farm buggy
• Exploring the South Downs National Park
• Within easy reach of the coast
• Lambing season in Spring

Why is this a greener holiday?

To truly minimise the environmental impact, guests are encouraged to arrive by public transport: the nearest train station is Alton and from there, it’s only a short taxi ride away: see www.traintaxi.co.uk. Just an hour from London, the farm is situated within South Downs National Park, a stunning 1,600 sq km of protected area of diverse landscapes including green rolling pastures, open spaces, ancient woodlands and river valleys.

Onsite the accommodation is very low impact, as the tents are effectively off-grid. There is no electricity and lighting is by candle. Heating and cooking is done on a wood-burning stove. The hot tubs are also wood burning. There is a wide range of low impact activities on-site for families to enjoy, discover nature and avoid use of additional transport for the duration of their holiday. Much of the produce in the honesty shops is local sourced, either from the farm or other nearby suppliers.