As the UK starts to try and safely embrace some form of normality again, staycations are obviously the very best way to satisfy that travel craving. We might not be able to use our passports again just yet or to enjoy a glass of fizz at airport departures, but we can jump in the car or on a train, picking up a McDonald’s drive-thru or an M&S sarnie for a bite to eat and be on our merry way.
Dan and I did just this last weekend, accepting a very kind invite from the gang at Home Farm Glamping to review their newly re-opened campsite. Just a few miles north of London in Hertfordshire, the vast property houses a small number of beautiful bell tents and yurts for couples, families and groups of mates to while away a few days in this countryside idyll.
Where is it? The site is officially the closest glamping site to London, so for any fellow Londoners, it’s a hop, skip, away for the perfect couple of night’s break from the frenzy of city life. You can either drive or take the jubilee line to Stanmore or Thameslink to Elmstree & Borehamwood, where it’s a short taxi ride away. The site is set amongst 150 acres of meadows, woodlands and historic parkland of the Aldenham Estate and on arrival and meeting one of the friendly on-site greeters, we learnt that owner Jess Allen-Back is truly passionate about re-engaging and re-engergising the Green Belt for city-dwellers. After a good few months of being in lockdown, who isn’t looking for some freedom and escape?
What facilities are there? Before you book, you can choose either a bell tent or a yurt – all are equipped with their own decking area, firepit and Weber bbq. Our bell tent was truly gorgeous, filled with little touches such as decorative furnishings, plush rugs, bookshelves, a hand mirror and plush bedding. You’ll also receive a ‘pack’ when you check in that includes key cutlery, instructions for how to operate the bbq and firepit and on-site maps. The main communal area is the ‘Big Barn’, a vast yet still homely space, comprised of rustic seating areas, cosy corners stacked with books and old-fashioned games, as well as all the camping amentities you’d expect (most importantly, a tea / coffee station) as well as extra cutlery and bbq utensils.
Bathrooms are equipped with toilets and warm showers and due to COVID, at present your booking will include a private bathroom with your tent / yurts name on it to safely wash.
For any fellow foodies, bespoke catering is available on site if you don’t fancy bringing your own food. Thanks to Sainlo Catering (headed up by Gordon Ramsey-trained Head Chef Jean Luc), you can pre-order freshly prepared afternoon tea or BBQ boxes, as well as a delicious full-english breakfast availble in the on-site Meadow Cafe. During our night’s stay, we plumped for the BBQ box and scoffed a mix of delicious lamb and mint kebabs, chicken drumsticks, greek salad, burgers and sausages – all washed down with some G&T’s (courtesy of the delicious Campfire Gin distilled by locals at the Puddingstone Distillery) enjoyed in front of the roaring flames of the firepit…
If, like us, you’re camping in a month where the temperatures get pretty low after sunset, make sure you pack multiple layers; it’s definitely cold in the tents once the sun goes down, as is expected! There isn’t any electricity in the bell tents or yurts and once the firepit has burnt out its final embers, you need to layer up. Home Farm Glamping help you out though, with multiple blankets available to keep toasty, as well as providing hot water bottles before bed from the main barn – a lovely touch! Obviously this won’t be a consideration in summer months, but if you book outside of these, pack double socks and that beanie hat.
After an evening of tasty BBQ food, gin and endless rounds of card games, we awoke early naturally to the sound of the birdsong and frost on the ground, all of which quickly burnt away as the morning sun shone down across the grounds. Those early morning views across the estate were honestly breathtaking as I took our dachshund Dudley for a little morning walkaround – the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. After warming up with a shower and a couple of fresh cups of tea, we wandered to the Meadow Cafe in search of a full english breakfast.
What can you do on site? One of the most unique things about Home Farm Glamping is the curated range of activities available on site, really elevating the camping experience. If you fancy treating yourself, why not book in for a massage or facial in one of the yurts with incredible countryside views, thanks to Emily and Rachael from Inspiration Beauty. You can also take part in outdoor yoga sessions, go for long strolls around the woodland and lake and even take part in forest bathing or bushcraft workshops, available thanks to Wilderness Foundation UK. If you’re a family with children in tow and looking to keep the little ones busy, there’s a kids play fort nestled in the woodland, a croquet lawn, ping pong tables and lots of open space to play football, rounders and frisbee. If you want to just relax, why not just sit outside your tent with a good book and just enjoy the escape from the hustle and bustle of daily routines.
Can you visit the site without booking accomodation? Absolutely. Once a month Sainlo Events host Supperclubs Under The Oak and over the summer of 2021, the site will also be home to At Home Farm Live. During May – September, there will be an event season taking place on site with celebrated partners with everything from live music gigs in the woods by the likes of Jack Garrett, open-air theatre, long-table al fresco dining and much more.
How much is it? See here for all pricing and availability for the rest of the summer – the season will close in October 2021. The bell tents can sleep up to 4 people and the yurt tents up to 6. You can also enquire about hiring out the whole site for wider events – this would be perfect for a big hen do once weddings are fully back up and running again.
Happy glamping! LMNH x
*I was kindly gifted a PR stay with Home Farm Glamping, but all opinions and thoughts are my own.
