I’ve never fancied myself as the camping type, I get the whole back-to-nature thing and I love the outdoors, but I do love my home comforts – namely hot running water and a flushing toilet…
When I was invited to spend a couple of days camping (in a fashion) in the woodland surrounding Jedburgh, a picturesque town in the Scottish borders, I put my big girl pants on and packed up the car!
Jedburgh is around a 3-hour drive from my hometown of Wetherby, and it’s a pleasant journey winding through the countryside, up and down Dale.
Myself and my husband arrived at Chesters Farm with a boot full of supplies, I’d done my due diligence and was fully aware that our accommodation was to be rustic and that we would need to brush up on our ‘outdoor skills’. As we jumped out of the car and decanted the contents of the boot into wheelbarrows, I was actually rather excited. We were met by a host who led us on a 15-minute walk through woodland, wheelbarrows in tow, and through numerous ‘secret garden’ doors to a huddle of tents nestled underneath a canopy of trees. Our tent, named Otter, was ready for us to settle in and offered a cosy space to make our own for the weekend ahead.
Boasting a beautifully homespun interior, the large canvas tent is well-appointed with 2 bedrooms, one featuring a comfortable double bed and the other comprising bunk beds. There is also a ‘cupboard’ bedroom, which sounds terrible but it is actually fantastic and houses another double bed – if you are agile enough to climb in and out! The kids will love this one!
The living accommodation boasts a large dining space with room enough for 6 people comfortably, and my favourite part, the central ‘island’ which is basically a sink (with running cold water), cooking prep station and log burning stove – it is equipped with crockery, cooking utensils, pots and pans and the like. I also noted firefighters, candles and a log basket. The tent doesn’t have electricity, the heat source is the log burner which doubles up as the stove and if you want a brew, you’re lighting a fire and boiling a kettle the old-fashioned way! Food is kept cold in a cooler box which is stocked with frozen packs to keep the temperature down. The tent does have a flushing toilet – hoorah.
Outside there is a fantastic veranda with panoramic views of the surrounding meadows, there is a firepit with a BBQ, a hot tub, which is heated by collecting foraged wood and stoking the fire, and a private shower room – which is a bucket with holes in suspended in the air and which thankfully enjoys hot water, the water pressure was surprisingly good! lol.
I wasted little time in getting on with things, I had the log-burning stove going in no time (I have one at home) and I had pre-prepared some jacket potatoes which I stuck on the burner to heat up while we cracked open a beer – this outdoor life was going to be a breeze!
It is surprising how well one can sleep after spending the afternoon exploring woodland, cooking on a stove and keeping the log burner – well, burning! There is also the utter tranquillity, the tents are well-spaced and neighbouring tents are each nestled in in a generous plot and enjoy their own facilities with verandas facing different directions allowing a fair bit of privacy.
The one thing I would point out, there is no mains electricity supply to the tents, so a couple of power banks for charging phones are useful if you cannot bear to be completely cut off. The bothy, a short amble from the tents, is stocked with various essentials – food items including that day’s fruit and vege crops, milk and even wine! It also has firelighters and candles and there is electricity just in case you need a plug socket for something! There is an honesty box to pay for the items you use.
Life is a little slower in pace when you have to light a fire to boil a kettle to make a brew, but once I had relaxed into it, I found that just sipping on some strong coffee and taking in the view on the veranda was a pleasure I rarely afford myself – I think they call it mindfulness, living in the moment, and I am here for it!
After a slow morning enjoying a leisurely brekky and a dip in the hot tub which I had lovingly been stoking with foraged firewood since daybreak, we headed out to explore the locality.
Jedburgh is a charming town steeped in history and natural beauty. Its roots trace back to the 9th century, offering visitors a rich tapestry of medieval architecture and heritage. The town’s centerpiece is the magnificent Jedburgh Abbey, a stunning 12th-century Augustinian abbey that stands as a testament to its storied past. The abbey ruins provide an evocative glimpse into Scotland’s religious history
Wandering through Jedburgh’s quaint streets reveals an array of historic buildings, including Mary Queen of Scots’ House, where the ill-fated queen stayed in 1566. This museum offers fascinating insights into her turbulent life.
Surrounded by rolling hills and lush countryside, Jedburgh is also a haven for nature enthusiasts. Walking trails like the Borders Abbeys Way invite exploration of the scenic landscape. With its blend of historical intrigue and natural splendour, Jedburgh offers a captivating introduction to Scotland’s Borderlands.
We finished the afternoon in the local village pub where we enjoyed a couple of drinks, some delicious haggis bites and a very convivial atmosphere.
We stocked up on some rather decadent supplies from the best deli I’ve ever been to and headed back to Chesters to get the main event started – the husband’s BBQ! Famous for his cremated chicken and ‘blackened’ array of sides, I was glad to have boiled up some potatoes on the stove and grateful I remembered the hot sauce. Even his charcoal-flavoured drumsticks taste ok with hot sauce!
As the BBQ settled into a low glow and the country air chilled a little, we retreated indoors to enjoy a hot chocolate spiked with something very potent before hitting the hay.
I cannot tell you how relaxing this experience was. I was initially quite disconcerted at the thought of this digital detox, but as I began to decompress and really relax, I realised that this is the kind of escape that can be life-changing. I had felt a certain peace that is difficult to describe and almost impossible to feel in my day-to-day office/city life. I won’t be swapping my life to live off-grid anytime soon, but this trip certainly gave me some food for thought.
There is plenty to do when you visit one of Feather Down’s farms, we opted for a relaxing break but you could certainly get the blood pumping with a whole host of activities should you so wish – it is a fantastic experience for the whole family as long you are willing to embrace the outdoors, a slower pace of life and of course your inner spirit of adventure! My advice? Pack up the car and get going, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. Tell them I sent you.
About Feather Down Farms
Feather Down Farms offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, inviting visitors to experience the simple joys of countryside living. Established with the vision of bridging the gap between urban hustle and rural tranquillity, Feather Down Farms provides an idyllic retreat across various picturesque locations in the United Kingdom. Guests can immerse themselves in farm life whilst staying in luxurious, canvas tents equipped with cosy beds, wood-burning stoves, and private showers.
Each farm is a working agricultural enterprise, where families can engage in hands-on activities such as feeding animals, collecting eggs, and learning about sustainable farming practices. The emphasis on reconnecting with nature makes it an ideal getaway for families looking to escape digital distractions. Whether it’s exploring scenic landscapes or enjoying farm-fresh meals prepared with local produce, Feather Down Farms UK promises a memorable adventure that fosters appreciation for rural traditions and sustainable living.
Words by Joanne Brook-Smith
Contact Feather Down Farms
Reservations: Mon – Fri from 9 am to 5 pm 01420 80804