If you’re a parent, you’ve likely had the feeling: screens, apps, endless notifications, they’re everywhere. And while tech can have its place, many families are beginning to seek something more real, more grounded. That’s why one of the biggest family holiday trends in the UK right now isn’t a long-haul flight or a busy theme park, it’s the humble, wholesome farm stay.
Across the country, thousands of families are choosing to unplug and head for the countryside with brands like Feather Down, where the pace slows, the WiFi weakens, and real connection takes over.
A Return to the Great Outdoors
Remember your childhood? Splashing through puddles in your favourite wellies, building dens in the woods, making snow angels, climbing trees or digging into a dripping cone of ice cream on the beach. For many of us, the best memories of growing up are the ones spent outside.
And yet, those moments are becoming rarer for today’s children. A recent survey by Natural England revealed that less than 10% of children regularly play in natural places, compared to 40% of adults when they were young. It’s a dramatic shift, and one with real implications for our children’s health and wellbeing.
Why Farm Stays Work for Modern Families
At a time when 76% of UK parents worry their child isn’t spending enough time outdoors, farm stays offer a refreshing antidote to modern life. Far from the hustle of cities or the lure of screens, a stay on a farm provides immersive, hands-on experiences that reconnect children (and grown-ups) with nature.
Younger kids can feed animals, run through fields, explore woodlands and play freely, without the constant pull of tablets or gaming consoles. Older children benefit too, with time outdoors proven to boost concentration, improve sleep, and reduce stress, anxiety and depression. One study even found that a 20-minute walk in nature could significantly improve attention and learning in children.
In short, nature isn’t just beautiful, it’s necessary.
The Rise of the Digital Detox Holiday
The concept of a ‘digital detox’ is gaining popularity for good reason. It’s not about banning technology completely; it’s about setting time aside to be truly present. A farm stay encourages just that. With no pressure to check emails or social media, families can enjoy simple pleasures: evening walks, shared meals, storytelling by candlelight, or watching the stars come out together.
Providers like Feather Down, one of the UK’s most popular farm stay companies, have seen this surge in interest first-hand. Bookings are up over 40% this year compared to last, and search data from public sources shows that interest in farm holidays in the UK has climbed by more than 60% in the last three years, the highest it’s been in over a decade.
This isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement.
What Makes a Farm Stay Special?
Every farm is different, but here’s what many offer:
- Comfortable accommodation (often in canvas lodges with proper beds, wood-burning stoves, and flushing toilets)
- Animal interactions think chickens, goats, ponies, and cows
- Nature-based play areas, rope nets, tree swings, and muddy adventures
- Family-friendly activities like egg collecting, firepit cooking, and guided walks
- Freedom to roam in safe, car-free environments
Most importantly, they offer something money can’t buy: uninterrupted time together.
Check out some of the Feather Down farm stays on our website:
– New Barn Farm
– Glastonbury Hill Farm
– Sunninglye
– Gwel Teg Farm
– Heydon Grove
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