5 Tips for Glamping with Toddlers (+ a Review of Fordhall Farm Yurts)
Four months ago, when the days started to get shorter and the new school term brought a flurry of activity, I found myself slowly slipping into the depths of everyday life. It was clear that we needed a break from the monotony of routine. We needed a long-awaited holiday.
Our income is limited to a single student grant (my husband is training to be a vicar) and so our options were few. But having grown up in a camping family, I knew the joy of a retreat to nature, and it seemed the perfect option for our mini break. Since we don’t yet have lots of camping equipment, we decided on a glamping break. After searching for the perfect family getaway (at the right price!), we knew we had found it when we stumbled upon Fordhall Farm yurts in the very north of Shropshire. Their yurts provide a unique experience that I knew our family would love. We booked our three night stay with little hesitation, eager to experience the beauty and tranquility of this off-grid destination.
Here’s a short review of our sweet getaway, as well as a few tips for glamping with small children if you’d like to try glamping with your own family.
A Review of Fordhall Farm Yurts
Fordhall Farm is a beautiful organic farm that has been around since 1866, but is now owned by a community collective of over 8,000 people.
As soon as we arrived, we knew we had found the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature. The yurts are set in open farmland, with sheep just over the fence and beautiful views of the countryside. The yurts are directly adjoining, with living areas in one yurt and a bedroom in the other. They’re kitted out with a wood burning stove, small gas stove, sofas, and enough beds to sleep 6. Outside, a gas-powered barbecue and fridge provide cooking facilities that are a little more advanced than the average camping stove. There’s also a compost toilet, which the children found very fun, though if you need them there are flushing toilets up the hill in the main building.
The following days were filled with activities such as walking, bird watching and many trips to the little playground just up the hill. The site offers several walking trails, a farm shop and cafe, a community garden and plenty of farm animals to say hello to. The farm shop and cafe were a particular highlight - we made an order of Fordhall’s very own products to collect when we arrived, which made our meals that little bit more special.
One of the best things about our yurt stay was that the team of Fordhall Farm want families to feel comfortable and welcome during their stay. The yurt has a well stocked bookshelf, including children’s books, and there was a big basket of games and puzzles to entertain us. Having those available in a small space with toddlers was a real lifesaver. Another lovely little touch were the ‘Explorer Bags’ - two rucksacks filled with items to help with exploring the farm, such as bug hunting tools and binoculars.
Back in the yurts, while the snow fell outside (it was January after all!) we enjoyed the blazing warmth of the wood burning stove, and ate our simple suppers by candlelight. By night we were so comfortable in the beds that our toddler slept til 8am!
If you’re looking for a glamping trip that’s excellent value and a great starter adventure for your family, I highly recommend Fordhall Farm. With its beautiful countryside setting, it's the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s also excellent for young children, which made the whole experience so enjoyable for the little ones. Fordhall Farm is the perfect place for your first glamping experience and a great value way to get away as a young family.
We enjoyed the blazing warmth of the wood burning stove, and ate our simple suppers by candlelight
Tips for Glamping with Toddlers or Small Children
While planning our glamping trip I did quite a bit of research to prepare for the most comfortable stay possible. Life with toddlers is very full on, and being in a new location can bring it’s own challenges. But with a little preparation glamping can be wonderfully straightforward with small children. Here are some of the things I found most important for a successful stay:
1.Choose your location carefully
Firstly, give plenty of thought to your glamping location. Look for locations that are geared towards families and have amenities that are suitable for small children, such as playgrounds and shallow swimming areas. Make sure that the glamping spot is located in a safe and quiet area, away from roads and other noisy environments that might disturb your little ones.
Simple things can make a huge difference to your comfort levels, like making sure the toilet is usable by a small child.
2. Pack wisely
One of the most important ingredients for a successful glamping trip is to have the right kit. Aside from the things you’d pack for any stay, there are a few extras we found indispensible.
If you’re going in winter, make sure to pack blankets, hot water bottles and plenty of warm clothing. We found Fordhall Farm supplied all of these things so it’s worth checking first. Slippers are also great for winter stays. In summer, a mechanical fan could come in very handy, as will slip-on footwear like flip flops or clogs.
A blackout blind or two are essential for us with any camping trip, as they help to block out light during nap times and light evenings so that little ones can sleep.
If your stay is off-grid, you’ll need a camping lantern and some torches. We particularly love head torches so that your hands can be free for helping little ones.
Check what’s available in the way of cooking implements. In particular, check if there’s a tin opener, because tins make great easy camp food and you’ll struggle if you can’t get them open! Also, we find there is always a use for string, tape and clothes pegs, so pack plenty of those. And trust me when I say you can’t have too many tea towels and cloths!
3. Choose simple suppers
If you're planning to cook, make sure to bring along the right kitchen supplies and ingredients. While glamping locations tend to offer a little more in the way of cooking facilities, this still isn’t the time to make your most elaborate suppers, so keep things simple. We stick to things like hot dogs and burgers if there’s a barbecue, or simple pan meals like soup if there’s only a burner available. Of course, don't forget to bring plenty of snacks, which can often be an activity in themselves!
4. Plan plenty of activities
It’s worth planning in advance how you’re going to spend your time, since being cooped up in a small space can be difficult for toddlers. Try looking up some local family friendly hiking trails or find out where the nearest park is. In case of rain, it’s also a good idea to have some ideas for rainy days. We always like to know where the nearest soft play is, for example!
You could also consider bringing some outdoor games such as badminton or frisbee. If you’re feeling very adventurous you could even plan a trip after dark. We always take a telescope because stargazing in the country is always special.
5. Let go of expectations
Finally, it’s important to remember to let go of expectations and when travelling with little ones. Glamping with toddlers is about having fun, laughing and exploring the great outdoors. If things don’t go according to plan, don’t worry – embrace the chaos and know that your children are likely to remember it all as a wonderful adventure.
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