Our week at Loveland Farm was by far one of the best holidays I have ever had, the peace and tranquility was second to none and getting back to nature was just what we all needed.
No electrical appliances to distract us in the day and only the projector to watch a film on in the evening, whilst snuggled under the blankets together. It was a beautiful holiday and I cannot fault any of it, there wasn't one thing I would have changed. When we arrived at the dome on the Monday evening after a rainy drive down, it was sunny and the blue sky made for a beautiful arrival. The pod was filled with a wonderful warm air and we sat down to cheese and cold meats on the table outside with a glass of wine for the adults, listening to the chickens clucking it was bliss.
The shower room was next door and being used to outdoor showers from my days camping as a child I loved the cool breeze and warm water being rained down on me at the same time, it was certainly the best way to be woken up in the morning.
This isn't just camping though, this is glamping and it wouldn't be glamping without touches like a king size bed, table and chairs and a big log burner to ensure you have those creature comforts, wonderfully thick local duvets, as well as Loveland Farms own blankets ensured we were all kept warm at night.
The detail within the pod was beautiful, the wonderful pink 'spinny' chair as the children called it being a particulate favourite of us all, a place to sit and read, watch the world outside or be silly on. Wonderful festoon lights around the pod were beautiful once it got dark and the sun had gone down behind the hills.
Each morning, I would wake up and be amazed at the stillness mixed in with the sounds of nature, everything from the chickens, to seagulls, pheasants, sheep and even the occasional moo from the wonderful water buffalo over near the other pods.
The kitchen, although basic allowed us to cook a fry up every morning and we had one meal in the evening in it, we were out for one other evening and had another cheese supper on our final night but had we thought about it more and been there longer, we would have used the BBQ, we never felt like we needed an oven.
We had ordered a welcome pack, which contained everything we needed for breakfast so you could arrive with no food and be ok until the next day, the local shop in Hartland, called The Pop In had everything you need so you don't need to venture far for supplies, several of the major supermarkets also deliver to Hartland, so you could pre-order for delivery whilst you are in the pod.
Each morning, the children went to check whether or not their were any eggs from the chickens, it was not only a great way for them to see where they come from, it also completely in awe at the whole process. They loved the wonderful chickens and cockerel who were in the pen, the cockerel kept escaping, much to their delight. There are piggies too over near the other pods, as well as the water buffalo and up until recently the sheep were cutting the grass in the main area.
We did pop over to see the other pods, they have a great vantage point and although they are all in close proximity to each other, the windows all face away, so you do get some privacy, the Loveland Pod, which is where we stayed was completely separate from the rest and apart from the chickens was very private.
The beautiful enamelled plates, concrete worktops and attention to detail flows through all of the pods, the Eden Pod has a teepee in the centre as well as table football, it really is beautiful. The kitchens all have toasters, kettles and everything you need for your stay.
As the night drew in, we watched the sun set from the balcony, it was beautiful and really took us back the basics of life. Watching the day come to a close together before heading into the pod to get warm and snuggle up together.
It is so utterly dark outside that on a clear night you could see thousands and thousands of stars, the completely blackness of being in the middle of nowhere really hit home and if I hadn't of been so cold stood in the darkness I would have stopped and gazed for ages. As you have to pop outside to go to the kitchen and toilet there are automatic lights that come on so you don't really need a torch either.
In the day, you can lounge around the pod, there is plenty of space to just stay and kick a ball, sunbathe and read a book, or you could walk down the to the coast, the walk to the lighthouse at Hartland Point is beautiful and if you fancy a going a bit further you could walk to the quay where there is a pub, shop and museum. We went rock pooling there, but as we have two small children, we drove down to the quay.
Further afield there are so many beautiful towns, Bideford has a pannier market as does Barnstaple. We went into the beautiful fishing village of Appledore just round from Westward Ho for a spot of crabbing, it is cheap enough to buy a bucket, line and some bait and we spent a good few hours sat in the quay catching crabs and then having some yummy fish and chips. It was a great way to while away the hours and the children and adults all loved it.
I could keep on writing about our holiday at Loveland Farm until the cows, or in this case water buffalo, come home, its charm and simple but glamorous beauty has me hooked and everyone who has seen my pictures has asked where it was and what it was like, as they are intrigued by the dome.
Without a doubt, the children got on better without the distraction of the telly and iPads and I felt a sense of calm the whole week, waking up to beautiful sunrises and the cool spring air on my face then standing with a hot chocolate on the deck admiring the wonderful surroundings.
Have you ever been glamping? If so where did you go?
NB: We were given a small discount in return for a blog post about our stay, however all opinions and pictures are my own.
