Featherdown Farms: Log Cabins
Urban families can experience the country idyll at its most romantic at Midgham Farm in Hampshire

Words  Pendle Harte

Featherdown Farms: The Log cabins

Featherdown Farms are an ever-growing phenomenon. An enormously successful way for urban families to experience the authentic country dream at its most romantic, this winning formula has expanded to include an all-season accommodation option. Midgham Farm is one of only two sites in the UK to offer log cabins, though more are set to open. On the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, this is a beautiful location due to its acres of insanely beautiful woodland and stylishly laid out hillside tents; cabins are at the top of the site and you’ll probably need a 4X4 to get all the way up. Our car wasn’t up to it, and we arrived after sunset to proper no-moon rural darkness, so farm owner Sammy Sykes kindly drove us and our luggage all the way. The best time to visit, she says, is spring because of the huge expanse of bluebells everywhere, but we would love to see the forest in snow-covered glory.

The cabin

The log cabins offer everything found in the famed Featherdown tents (comfortable beds, running water, wood burners for warmth and cooking, spacious living area) but in a proper well-insulated wooden building designed to be cosy in winter. Batten down the hatches and feed the fire – camping this most definitely is not.

What to do

There’s a farm tour every Saturday, which takes in the goats (they have their own trampoline), rabbits and pigs as well as ducks bred on the River Avon for shooting. Sammy breeds ponies so pony grooming is on offer. For children there are rope swings and a climbing net; hammocks are slung between trees; fishing for trout is an option.

Don’t forget

Luxurious as they may be, these are log cabins in a forest. There is no electricity. Nights are dark and you need to keep count of your candles. On waking up, you light the fire and always keep a large kettle on the stove for the washing up. It’s hard to beat an evening spent playing cards by candlelight in a log cabin.

Log cabin weekends start at £395

Midgham Long Copse, The Moon & Sixpence, Midgham, Fordingbridge, Hants, SP6 3BY; 01425 650237

featherdown.co.uk