Glamping near Cheddar Gorge in Somerset – Warren Farm

Over the weekend we unplugged and headed to beautiful Cheddar Gorge to go glamping. We stayed at Warren Farm located in the Mendip Hills around a three-mile walk from the tourist hotspot in Somerset. We have previously stayed with Feather Down Glamping Farms when we stayed at Shropshire. So knew that it is the perfect environment to reconnect. Harry was celebrating his 7th Birthday and with both boys going through SATs we wanted some quality time as a family and opted for a glamping farm stay. So how did we get on glamping in Somerset at Feather Down Farms? 

AD – we were invited by Feather Down Farms to go Glamping in Somerset. All words and opinions are my own.

Who are Feather Down Farms?

Feather Down Farms have been offering free-range short breaks for families for twenty years! Which is quite an achievement, they have locations across the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. With 29 glamping farm stays in the UK. 

The affordable accommodation has been designed specifically with luxury in mind with the ability to get back to nature. So the focus is very much on being close to animals, reducing the tech time as there is no wifi and limited electricity.  Feather Down Farms help families to reconnect while enjoying the outdoors, preparing a meal together on wood-burning stoves, laying a fire and sitting around a fire pit. 

Where is Warren Farm Located?

Warren Farm is located in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The working farm spans over 1000 acres farming both sheep and beef cattle. Which makes it the ideal location for a glamping site and to cut off from the rest of the world. The farm itself is easy to find thanks in part to the instructions provided at the time of booking. You do need a car this is not a farm you can reach by public transport. But this is what we were looking for when glamping in Somerset. As it is in the hills you do need to be prepared for the changeable weather in the early part of the season. But for us, this added to its charm.

Being in the Mendip Hills there are plenty of walking routes to try out and so unsurprisingly is popular with hikers and families alike. Warren Farm makes an ideal base to explore the surrounding countryside by foot or otherwise a central location if you are looking for Cheddar Gorge glamping locations.

Our Canvas Hideaway Safari Tent

Warren Farm has two different Featherdown glamping options. A Cheddar Gorge Cabin offers accommodation for larger families sleeping up to eight. Spread over two floors they also have hot water, a shower and a bath. Making them the ideal option if you would like more of your creature comforts while glamping in Somerset.

Inside our glamping tent at Cheddar Gorge 

We stayed in a Canvas Hideaway Safari Tent, which sleeps up to five. With a large double bed, bunk beds and the boy’s favourite a cupboard bed complete with cosy bedding. The main living area comprises a large dining table, kitchen unit and stove. Which not only provides heating but also is your stove for cooking. There is also a cold box and sofa. The kitchen contains everything you need, including a coffee grinder.

In the warmer months, the side of the tent will roll up so that the living area is completely outside. Although the bedrooms are surrounded by wood with a canvas ceiling, which helps with insulation during the changeable British weather.

All accommodation comes with a flushable toilet, bed linen and towels. The welcome pack provides everything you need to get you started including firelighters, matches and washing-up liquid. However, this is essentially self-catering accommodation and you should pack accordingly. There is no electricity in your tent or cabin. However, you can charge power packs and phones in the honesty shop which is only accessible with a door code. 

Outside our glamping tent at Cheddar Gorge 

Outside there is a small veranda with a picnic bench, deck chairs and a fire pit. There is additional seating around the fire pit which is placed far enough away from the tent to ensure that smoke doesn’t reach your living area. There is also a BBQ and we also hired a hammock which the boys also thoroughly enjoyed lazing around in. It is an ideal spot to enjoy the countryside views and when the weather behaves amazing sunsets. 

Warren Farm Glampsite & Facilities – Cheddar Gorge Glamping 

Like many others, Feather Down Farms the glampsite is located in one of the farm fields you enter via the farm itself. There is plenty of hard-standing parking which is signposted and includes an electric charging point. On our day of arrival, we were met at the entrance and given a tour of all the facilities and shown how to use the stove, oil lamps etc.

Shower Block

There is a central barn known as ‘The Barn ‘where everything you need is located. This includes a shower rooms and toilet block which is shared between the safari tents. Clean with hot running water and a family shower room at the back.

Honesty Shop

Next to this is a well-stocked, well-priced honesty shop containing well-thought-out items. As well as key essentials including candles, fresh bread and eggs. The fresh eggs came from the farm and are free for guests to use. According to Charlie and the husband they are delicious.

They do not stock fresh fruit and veg but I think they have most other things you may need. Including free-to-use hot water bottles and books. We brought meat for a BBQ and kids particularly liked the glow sticks. Next door is a log store where you can fill up a crate once a day. If you require more wood then it costs £6 a crate.

Communal Space

The barn itself is an inside communal space. Here there is a fresh supply of oil lamps and wellies. A notice board, where the weather forecast had been put up. As well as a TV, table football and a small pool table. A large fridge where each tent has its shelf and freezer for the freezer blocks to use with the cool box in your tent. There is also an electric kettle and a selection of thermos flasks so you can get hot water quickly without needing to wait for the stove.

Farm Animals & Play Areas 

Outside there is a goat pen which you are allowed to enter to feed the goats. A chicken coop and some pigs. As well as a play area and two ride-on tractors. These were a huge hit with the boys. The five safari tents are well spaced out giving plenty of privacy. Wheelbarrows are provided to move things around the glampsite. When we visited we could drive to our car down to our tent to unload and repack up.

Cheddar Gorge Glamping 

Warren Farm has an extremely high rating on the Feather Down Farms website. I would suggest that this is in part because of the effort that the owners go to provide entertainment for families. Having children themselves they ‘get it’. The fact that even on a relaxing holiday there need to be things for the younger members of the family to do. In addition to the facilities mentioned above, there are also several other things.

Things to do at Warren Farm

There is so much to get up to on a Cheddar Gorge Glamping stay:

Walking Routes

In the honesty shop, there are several different walks. Each gives written instructions and a map. Including the difficulty level, the expected time it will take and if it is suitable for children. There are also several walking books you can borrow that also have other routes you may want to walk while glamping at Cheddar Gorge. 

Orienteering

There is also a free orienteering sheet that takes you around the Cheddar Gorge campsite. This is a lovely touch and kept the boys busy for half an hour. The map is easy for them to understand and take the lead. As well as these there are several different nature activities and hunts also available for the kids to engage with. 

Toys

A box of outdoor toys for all to use, including footballs, cricket stumps etc. As well as a box of indoor games for the evenings. Useful if you are trying to pack light. It is also possible to hire a hammock for £5 for the length of your stay. The boys loved this too. 

Farm Tour

Tractor-trailer ride. This is weather dependent but you can sign up for a farm tour. Where you get to see some of the animals up close and go across the fields on a trailer. You can find out when these are being run during your stay on arrival and sign up via a blackboard. There is an additional cost of £3 per person for this.

Pizza Night

Pizza Night is run twice a week on a Saturday night and Tuesday night. This is more of a social gathering than I realised. There is a pizza oven on-site, so you pick the toppings you would like and the farmer cooks your pizza for you. It comes with garlic bread and dessert, as well as cider for the adults and juice for the kids. It is a good opportunity to meet other families staying and helps the children to get to know each other as well. Even in the short time we were there, the boys made friends with the other children staying. Wanting to go out and ‘play’. Pizza night costs £14 for an adult and £8 for a child.

 

Things to do locally while glamping at Cheddar Gorge

We spent three nights glamping in Somerset. During this time we had two full days to explore the area, taking in the great views and visiting the famous cheddar gorge. The weather was not kind to us on the first day, which we did expect. The good news is that there is quite a bit to do locally inside. If like us you are only fair-weather walkers. In the accommodation, there was a folder full of information. This also included several local pubs and cinemas.

During our stay at Cheddar Gorge Glamping, we visited:

• Cheddar village itself and did part of the circular walk around the top of the gorge. I would recommend the route as it has spectacular views of the gorge, cheddar reservoir and surrounding area. You can also spend time wandering between the different gift shops, eateries and cheese shops. We liked the cheddar gorge cheese company where you can see original cheddar cheese being made. Partake in a cream tea or something stronger. We spent several hours taking it all in – Things to do in Cheddar. We chose to drive into Cheddar rather than walk, this way you also get to drive through the spectacular gorge. It is four and a half miles away by car and only a few minutes’ drive.
• We did not do it on this visit but you can also visit Gough’s cave and see Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton. 

• When the weather was being unkind we headed to the Helicopter Museum which is the largest of its kind in the world. You only need a couple of hours but it makes a great inside option if your children like ours love anything that flies. Located in Western-Super-Mare it is around half an hour’s drive from Warren Farm.

• We then headed into the town and to the pier. It has a large arcade on the end that has not only the traditional arcades. But several rides include the world’s smallest rollercoaster, a crystal maze, indoor go-karting and mini golf. The boys had great fun here. If the weather clears up then there is a beach which stretches for miles. A quintessential British seaside town perfect for a family holiday – Things to do in Western Super Mare.

There are also many other places to visit when glamping in Somerset. Including the cities of Bath and Bristol. Wells with its cathedral is only a short drive from Cheddar village. You could also visit the old market town of Axbridge which has its heritage trail. Plus Glastonbury Tor, Wookey Hole Caves and  Longleat Safari Park is only 40 miles away.

Reasons why you should consider staying at Warren Farm Glamping in Somerset

• It’s the little things that make the difference. Such as the freshly planted herbs by the honesty shop. Designed for guests to help themselves with their meal preparation.
• There is so much to do locally and you could turn up with no plans and be busy the whole time if that’s what you want. Likewise, if you just want to chill then the facilities for the kids are great so you can do that knowing that they will have fun on the play equipment.
• The hosts go out of their way to make sure everyone has everything they need. Very welcoming and friendly they are on hand should you need anything during your stay. They can also offer advice on days out and the local area.
• The information in the honest shop is brilliant. One of our bugbears when we visit somewhere new is the lack of information. That can not be said for Warren Farm even down to local pubs and their distance in case you want to eat out.
• The location is perfect for enjoying the outdoors and exploring Cheddar Gorge.
• We had such a relaxing break on our glamping staycation enjoying outdoor life. Harry had a great time for his birthday in this perfect location.

Have you been glamping in Cheddar Gorge or glamping in Somerset or perhaps another glamping farm stay location?  I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. You can find out all about the other locations of Feather Down Farms here. 

Pin for later – Cheddar Gorge Glamping Somerset – Glamping Farm Stay – Featherdown Glamping