By The Green Parent
28th August 2022
Our properties are of infinite variety covering every type of location, but what members do have in common is a passionate commitment to offering their visitors a unique and authentic experience. They have a wealth of knowledge on our region which they are happy to share and offer the best advice and ideas for their guests to ensure their stay is a memorable one.
With all these varieties of wonderful havens on offer staying on one of our countryside locations provides wonderful opportunities for your family to encounter and learn about the countryside, farming and agriculture and its importance to us all.
Countryside Safari
When spotting animals in the countryside the first thing that springs to mind is the ones that we work with - be it cows, sheep or the faithful sheepdog, these animals are a joy to watch, but the spotting needn’t stop there! Farmers are dedicated to the biodiversity of their land, encouraging birds, insects and bugs onto it by growing hedgerows, cultivating field margins and selecting plants that provide a haven for these smaller animals. Stopping by these areas or attending our farm trails and taking the time to see what animals are busying themselves in these sanctuaries is always worthwhile.
Outside of your accommodation the exploring doesn’t stop either, the local area offers a great chance to see how our geography varies, between moor and shore, vast landscapes, rolling green hills and tiny twisting tracks, every scenery offers a story.
“A great deal of work in the countryside goes into using farming methods that benefit our planet. Opening young eyes to these important issues is essential in our fight against climate change”
Climate
Climate is a buzz word at the moment, and we are keen to make it an easy conversation for any family to discuss and a fun one to investigate together. A great deal of work in the countryside goes into using farming methods that benefit our planet. Opening young eyes to these important issues is essential in our fight against climate change, be it the carbon cycle, flooding risks, solar energy or rotational grazing. Farms across Britain are taking so much into account in all areas of their work to ensure that their farming methods benefit our climate and this is something we feel everyone should get the chance to see first-hand. Many of our collective have been awarded the Green Tourism Awards which means that they are the perfect place for your children to get hands on with the wonder of our environment.
Food Connection
We are all taught about the nutrition of food but the consideration of where our food comes from is also vital. The understanding that all our food needs to be preferably be home grown or reared, helps us make thoughtful choices in how and where our food is sourced. Bringing food from where it was grown to someone’s plate and helping that person understand the relationship between the food we eat and the countryside we cherish, is something we are passionate about. From the sumptuous breakfasts and local produce, through to the hands on approach we offer children, such as the joy of collecting eggs, bringing in the harvests and watching the cows be milked; watching the fascination on children faces of how different foods are produced will never grow old for us.
From flowers, to fresh fruits and pumpkins, picking your own produce is a great way to spend the day. Find out more about our favourite placed to find Devon’s best seasonal produce too.
Empathy
Empathy is the perfect tool when it comes to creating connections with nature. Knowing the requirements of the animals and plants helps gain an understanding of how to nurture them properly and the difference keeping in mind their needs can make.
Come and meet the real people who work on our farms and within countryside businesses and explore our surroundings through the lens of others.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
The STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are ones deeply embedded in the countryside. Whether it is machinery and equipment used, animal breeding and care, or simply the magic or seeing how things grow - all offer skills that ignite learning in these educational areas. Nature gets to be enjoyed in a way that is not only captivating but informative too, as seeing these subjects in action helps us learn in a hands on way like nothing else. Many of our stays offer participation, and with fun experiences to join in with such as animal feeding and grooming, bottle rearing lambs, moving herds to new pastures and even apple pressing.
For our full list of properties and to see what location offers which of our hands-on experiences, use this list.
Our properties are of infinite variety covering every type of location, but what our member retreats do have in common, is a passionate commitment to offering the families that visit a unique and authentic experience. We have a wealth of knowledge of beautiful Devon, which we would love to share with you to offer the best advice and ideas for you to ensure your stay is a memorable one.
Wherever you are looking to stay - from large country estates steeped in history, to recently converted barns and stables. Traditional working farms where you can see the farmer going about their daily life or quaint smallholdings in spectacular rural surroundings. Every one of our locations offers you a unique chance to truly experience the wonders of the Devon countryside in some of most rural locations Devon has to offer.
Fancy knowing more about what the beautiful Devonshire countryside has to offer for your next holiday? Visit - www.devonfarms.co.uk
