Readyfields Farm, Feather Down Farm, Nottinghamshire

Because Readyfields encompasses many creatures great and small, ours is a big, extended brood that welcomes you with open arms. As well as our pets, Digger the Jack Russell; horse Brian; Dinky, Dash and Daisy, our donkeys, living among us for 31 years are the Readyfields bloodhounds. A friendly bunch, they provide puppies between April and June, and we have a big playpen where our guests can enjoy them! The hounds also happily accompany a bike ride once a week, which is a traffic-stopping spectacle.

During the summer there are sheep to be shorn and calves and lambs to be bottle-fed twice daily. The farm sits in the middle of Nottinghamshire’s prettiest spot and is set in some of the most beautiful walking country in England, with footpaths starting on our doorstep. Sherwood Forest and its associations with Robin Hood is nearby, though the farmhouse doesn’t date back quite that far, having been built in the 16th century by the then-owner of Beesthorpe Hall, a Tudor mansion just opposite. With all this to offer, no wonder we were placed at number 23 by the Times in their 'Chic Camping Guide: Where to Camp in Style 2011'.

David and Lesley Boddy

Greentraveller's Insight: The Featherdown Farm Tent
The tents can easily fit in up to six – a maximum of five adults and one child up to 12 years old. Cooking & heating is provided by a fantastic wood-burning stove (one crate of firewood is provided per day). There's a surprisingly spacious living area (45 square metres), which includes a flushing toilet and comfortable beds. Each tent also includes bed and kitchen linen, the tent’s kitchen has cold running water and there are hot showers on site (for those in need of a little added luxury).

Highlights at Readyfields Farm:

• Lamb and calf bottle-feeding during summer months
• Walking and cycling
• Puppy playpen
• Close to Sherwood Forest

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 Newark and from there, it is a short bus or taxi ride to the farm, see: www.traintaxi.co.uk. 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. Much of the produce in the honesty shops is local sourced, either from the farm or other nearby suppliers. To avoid use of additional transport for the duration of their holiday, there is a wide range of low impact family activities on-site and in the surrounding area, including walking, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities such as rabbits, lapwings, brown hares, badgers, foxes, and roe and muntjac deer.