There are numerous sounds that stir me from my slumber in the morning: bin lorries, traffic, my alarm and most frequently one of my three young sons. So, it was a delightful surprise to be awakened by the soft mooing of a Highland cow just before 7am.
An hour later, I found myself sipping my morning coffee while seated in a hot tub, taking in the landscape of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. My family and I were guests at a luxury lodge at Cotswold Farm Park, the home and birthplace of Countryfile presenter Adam Henson. The farm itself attracts around 70,000 day visitors annually, and offers overnight accommodation in a lodge, shepherd hut or you can bring your own campervan or tent.
As we approach the eeriest time of the year, the park has unveiled its special ‘Pumpkin Nights’ event in a field where they cultivate their Halloween fruit harvest.
The Pumpkin Patch during the day is an enjoyable experience, particularly for younger children, with activities such as jack-o’-lantern carving and face-painting.
You can also navigate a toy tractor through the winding paths of the Maize Maze. However, like all good Halloween events, the area is best appreciated under the cloak of nightfall.
The backdrop of spooky woods and smart lighting lends the place a genuinely eerie atmosphere, and my boys wasted no time in selecting which pumpkins would look best on our porch. Choosing is a challenging process given the vast array of options. Wheelbarrows are on hand for you to traverse the patch in search of the perfect pumpkin, with sizes ranging from petite to gigantic.
Perhaps even more thrilling were the scrumptious s’mores we were offered to roast over the ready-made fires scattered about. Accompanied by live music and an onsite bar, we were a contented group as we savoured our toasted marshmallows and reflected on a splendid day in the countryside. Concluding our morning dip in the hot tub proved challenging. The relaxation was not only due to the bubbles but also the auditory and visual delights of our environment. At one point, Adam Henson himself strolled past the opposite field with his quintet of dogs. However, with pruney fingers, we eventually exited and made our way to the farm park.
The entire place is designed to inspire families to familiarise themselves with the animals. All three of my boys were smitten especially seven year old Albie when they had the chance to cradle chicks that were hatched less than a week prior. I suspected at one moment that my wife wouldn’t return her chick. But that paled in comparison to her reaction in the subsequent barn where we encountered three-day-old piglets.
Meanwhile, eldest son Freddie, 10, and youngest Wilbur, three, vied for the title of a goat’s best friend. The goat itself wasn’t fussy as long as it continued receiving handfuls of animal feed.
There were also donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep and cows, many of them rare breeds, all eager to meet you.
Between making friends with farm animals, the various play areas kept everyone amused, especially the bounce inflatable, the zip wire and the sand pit.
Alongside the animal pens were educational information boards, detailing the role farming has played in our nation’s history.
For those staying at the farm, you can re-enter as often as you wish, allowing time to relax back at the lodge for refreshments, and another opportunity to dip into the hot tub. There’s also a two-mile wildlife walk around the land’s perimeter, offering some peaceful time with nature.
I took a quick run before lunch and encountered a couple of pheasants on the undulating trail, who were almost as surprised to see me as I was them.
The path is also favoured by dog walkers, and pet dogs are welcome to stay at the park.
The lodges themselves are well equipped for a cosy self-catering stay, featuring a decent kitchen and bathroom, as well as a smart TV.
And if cooking isn’t your thing, there’s the option to visit the onsite Ox Shed Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The gift shop also stocks essentials like bread and milk, along with local wines and beers.
From November, the Pumpkin Patch will undergo a transformation to host various Christmas events, including an enchanted light trail and an opportunity to meet Santa.
Whenever I tune into Countryfile, I find myself yearning to visit the locations showcased on the screen.
Despite the theme tune serving as a reminder that Monday morning is fast approaching, it’s a programme I relish. It typically presents the UK in its most stunning light.
It provides a soothing conclusion to the weekend, instilling a sense of calm.
That feeling of refreshment and relaxation was certainly present at the end of our stay at Cotswold Farm Park.
However, I now face a new set of problems: I have one son who desires a pet chick, two sons who are keen for a pet goat, and a wife who is eager for us to adopt a piglet. Personally, I’d be content with just acquiring a hot tub.
Holiday booking details
- General admission to Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, which includes the Pumpkin Patch, costs from £6.95 for adults during the day, £5.95 for children aged 4-15, and £4.95 for toddlers aged 2-3.
- Nighttime prices start from £9.95 for adults, £8.95 for children, and £4.95 for toddlers. Advance booking is required.
- Lodges start from £150 per night, safari tents from £125 per night, and pitches from £25 per night. Visit cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk for more information.