Upper Shadymoor Farm, Feather Down Farm, Shropshire

Our farm’s very name suggests an idyll of peace, and you’ll love its higgledy-piggledy charm. Between the towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow, its irregular contours follow those of the original deer park laid out in 1284 by Robert of Stapleton. We could well be Feather Down’s most ‘sporting’ farm – in the relaxing sense of the word of course! As well as pheasant, you’re guaranteed to see any one of our 70 fallow or red deer, making the farm an ideal safari spot.

On the Farm Tour you’ll also encounter beef cattle, horses and Kerry Hill sheep. The farm is a natural water park, with a brook and 16 pools on our 200 acres. As well as wild swimming and messing about in boats, our water trampoline can be enjoyed under parental supervision – from the nearby hot tub if necessary! You can also fish trout here, and rods and the fly-casting expertise of our son Gregory are both available.

In a small meadow bordered by woodland, our six tents face a picket-fenced ‘scrape’ – a shallow pond such as found on nature reserves. And if your holiday ritual involves eating well, you’ll love our game-filled Farm Larder and renowned local gastronomic scene.

Kevan and Joy Fox

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

Highlights at Upper Shadymoor Farm:

• Wild swimming in the river
• Cedar hot tub
• Deer safari
• Ironbridge nearby (World Heritage Site)

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 Shrewsbury and from there, it is 6 mile bus or taxi ride to the farm, see: www.traintaxi.co.uk. Shrewsbury is a medieval county town boasts over 600 listed buildings and is situated in the River Severn loop, great place to explore before or after your farmstay. 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.