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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To wonder what sort of person goes to Featherdown Farms?

185 replies

MamaVoo · 23/12/2009 12:36

I received the brochure this morning and if I had to describe it I'd say it was over priced 'camping' for the posh. I'm imgaining that the brouchure is aimed at families who have houses in affluent parts of London and children who spend all of their time sealed into mummy's 4x4 being ferried to a variety of extra-curricular lessons.

Things that made me particularly were the 'slow food packages', whereby you pay £32.50 and they give you the ingredients for a stew which you then have to cook yourself over a fire. Then there is 'private bunny hire'. £15 to look after the farmer's rabbit for a week - not forgetting to clean the hutch out before you leave. Is it just me who can't see the appeal?

OP posts:
pamelat · 14/05/2010 14:04

haven't read all of this yet but read the article in the sunday times a few months back and thought sounded lovely

marketing is rather twee and yes over priced, but you dont have to buy the extras. Althought i would pay £15 for a hen coup as DD (2.4) would love it so it would make me life easier

Its still cheaper than center parcs, and cheaper than a week away somewhere

We aren't posh nor do we drive a 4by4. I'd go, if anyone would like to send me to review it for mumsnet for free ?

2cats2many · 14/05/2010 14:09

That website is the funniest thing I've read in ages.

staranise · 14/05/2010 14:15

You're being mean. We've always camped but since having DC3 I just can't face taking all the camping kit plus travel cot etc etc.

Featherdown farms or staying on a ready set-up tent (or yurt!) etc jsut means camping but with all the stuff provided, proper beds, a stove, plus lots of aniamls to look at and all the extras are optional.

Yes, it is expensive relative to camping and the website is smug but we've been and it was fab and the children loved it. We live in London but don't drive a 4X4. Can't really see why you'd really choose this type of holiday as something to despise.

Swanky · 14/05/2010 14:21

It sounds like hell to me. Technology and our lifestyles have advanced from "the old days" and I like it thanks!

tiredfeet · 14/05/2010 16:07

the marketing stuff on the website is dire. And the prices are over the top I think. I'm going 'posh camping' twice this year in Yurts and similar and paying nowhere near that amount for places that look a lot nicer (I compared their prices for the week with the prices we're paying).

I have always enjoyed proper camping, as I like the freedom and outdoorsy feel. I find it more of an adventure than a hotel or similar. But this year I'm going to be 5 and 6 months pregnant for the two camping trips, so I'm very relieved friends have opted to arrange 'posh camping' and I will be able to sleep on a proper bed etc. Plus the places they have chosen, the tents look really glamourous in a nice simple way, there's none of the over the top 'rusticness' about them. But in general I do see the appeal of slightly more luxurious camping.

tiredfeet · 14/05/2010 16:11

although I guess I have to shamefully admit that DH drives a 4X4 so I guess we would conforming to some sort of stereotype (But only based on our car!). It came with his job though, and I walk/bus/train almost everywhere and don't own a car so I figure that evens it out

DesertRat · 14/05/2010 18:38

Well I think it looks bloody lovely. I'd go like a shot and the kids would love it.

Too expensive though.

ProfYaffle · 14/05/2010 18:41

Sorry but am roffling at Pamelat's Hen Coup - believe me, hens aren't bright enough to organise a coup whether you pay them or not!

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 14/05/2010 18:59

There is no way I'm forking out that kind of money when less than £300 gets us a week in a gite in Brittany during May half term, with Tesco kindly funding our Eurotunnel crossing.

I've got 3 cats and a dog plus live 3 minute walk from woodland so if anyone would like a holiday whilst we're away that's £300 for the house, £12.50 for each cat and/or dog you opt to feed, £1 for each dog poo you scoop from garden, a fiver for basket of logs for woodburner, £1.50 for watering the greenhouse, £2 for weeding the National Trust allotment and at a bargain cost of £5 I will provide you with wood to build your own camp in the woods. Use of Kelly Kettle I'll chuck in free but you'll have to collect your own pine cones.

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 05/08/2011 14:40

Hello. We've been in contact with Feather Down Farms and they've asked us to post up this statement:

"We've read this thread with great concern and would like to reassure you all that the comfort of all our guests is of utmost importance to us and our farmers.

"This situation is obviously less than ideal and we have been in touch with the group concerned to see what we can do to resolve it to everybody's satisfaction.

"We've agreed over the phone that Feather Down Farms will pay for a babysitting service for this group, so that the location of their tents doesn't mean they have to change their plans for the evenings. And we confirmed all this to them in writing today."

Blu · 05/08/2011 14:49

Helen - I think this is a response to a thread in camping about a split group.

hocuspontas · 05/08/2011 14:50

Can you post this on the other thread?

Oblomov · 05/08/2011 14:54

I have been on the other thread from the start. This comment needs posting on the other thread.
And I have to say what a POXY SHIT offer, that is. CRAP. How pathetic. This is from one of the most expensive campsites/camping experiences.
AND the situration COULD so easily be resolved. I think its obstinance that is preventing a reasonable resolution.

LIZS · 05/08/2011 15:00

Ironic to have posted the statement on this thread - answer is probably not many a m'netter !

sockpoppet · 05/08/2011 15:01

What a pile of wank. Insulting offer feather down farms.

MisSalLaneous · 05/08/2011 15:05

Oh for heaven's sake, Feather Down Farms, shoot retrain your Head of Marketing. Yes yes, a babysitter is essential to at least limit the discomfort to the other group, but if you had ANY sense, you'd also have given them 50% off or a free stay in winter etc. Yes, you'd have made a loss on this one weekend, but worth it for marketing. Essentially, you messed up, you have to get as close as possible to fixing it! No way would I ever stay with FDF after seeing how head office deals with a balls-up. (And I'm a sucker for this kind of set-up, would have stayed with you in the future. Will now go and search for the name of that other company that does something slightly similar, just a little more upmarket.)

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 05/08/2011 15:07

@Blu

Helen - I think this is a response to a thread in camping about a split group.

Oops Blush

So sorry

Will go and post on the right thread...

SpringHeeledJack · 05/08/2011 15:08

lesson?

if you have a high end product, don't ever fuck with a mumsnetter

it's not worth it

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 05/08/2011 15:08

@LIZS

Ironic to have posted the statement on this thread - answer is probably not many a m'netter !

All my fault, LIZS. Have too many threads open and got mixed up. Blush

BulletWithAName · 05/08/2011 15:12

I really don't know why anyone would go camping in the first place. Let alone pay the extortionate amount this place is charging!

But then again, I'm the sort of prole who wants to lie around a pool in an all inclusive hotel in somwhere like Magaluf and do fuck all but eat and swim and get pissed enjoy myself. That's my idea of a good hoilday Grin

catgirl1976 · 05/08/2011 15:26

Never heard of them before this thread but now had a look and they seem ok to me. A bit twee etc but probably a good holiday for small children. Don't get the problem with the prices either, looks cheap as chips to me especially as it is priced per stay and not per adult.

twinklypearls · 05/08/2011 15:32

We have thought about one of these holidays and we are certainly not posh, or middle class, we use state education and have never owned a 4x4. We just like camping and thought it would make a change.

hairfullofsnakes · 05/08/2011 15:37

I've Been to centre parcs - it was lovely but too expensive

twinklypearls · 05/08/2011 15:40

I would never go to centre parcs as I see that as over priced and likely to be full of middle class types who would not want me "chaving up" their experience.

Butterbur · 05/08/2011 15:42

Well I wouldn't book with them, having read on the other thread how they've buggered up another poster's booking, and ruined their holiday. And are refusing to rectify it, instead offering pathetic compromises.

And I shall tell everyone else I know the same. You can't trust them to honnour their obligations, it appears.