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Original poster

Feather Down Farm - last minute group split... Advice

461 replies

Nicky1234 · 02/08/2011 17:37

A group of 5 families has booked early in the year to stay with feather down farm and were advised that we would all be together. Now 2 weeks before our stay we have been advised that in actual fact we are being split up because a group of 2 wants specific tents and so it makes that field too small for us.
Anyone been to one of these farms and do you think it will be a problem, we have 10 kids between us, 6 and under, so I am worried that they'll disturb other guests (rather than all being together they'll have to find each other). Also though there is a brook between the 2 fields so we're going to have to shepherd them about and it seems such a shame they cant just roam a little free (poor loves get no freedom). Selfishly the adults won't be able to hang out in the evenings either...
Im also really upset that we have to split up as seems unnecessary and unfair...
Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions to put my mind at ease.
Thanks

OP posts:
lisad123 · 02/08/2011 20:12

Tell them u want a full refund as they havent for-filled there part of the booking

Original poster
Nicky1234 · 02/08/2011 20:15

I am really annoyed and I also think that they are still in a position with the other campers that all groups goint that weekend could all be together as they have told me that they have single tent bookings our weekend. so we get 5 together with one extra single booking. The booking of 2 go in the 4 tent field with the other booking. I agree that they have known for ages - they would have to split us up IF they guarantee the other people specific tents. We have always been advised that we would be together but they cant guarantee specific tents which makes total sense.
Maybe I'll spend some time searching for alternative venues so that we know we can go elsewhere if we do ask for a refund.

OP posts:
lisad123 · 02/08/2011 20:18

So u can't be guarantee u a specifitic tent but can for others!!Hmm

hocuspontas · 02/08/2011 20:20

It sounds like maybe the interlopers asked for a specific field not tents then

Original poster
Nicky1234 · 02/08/2011 20:25

If we do get a refund, where on earth do we go. 10 adults, 10 kids - south england ish... middle of August, its a minefield!

OP posts:
virgiltracey · 02/08/2011 20:33

I bet the other group have insisted on being next to the showers (in the top field)

virgiltracey · 02/08/2011 20:36

The reality is it will be fine however they split you up (although I accept its not ideal). The tents sleep six and so you can congregate around two tents and put the kids to sleep all together and then carry them to bed if necessary when you retire. It'll be annoying but you'll still have a great time.

Please please give the chickens food and particularly water. The poor things get a bit neglected.

doozle · 02/08/2011 20:36

It will be a bit crap. Because the best bit is chilling out while the kids all run around together and then relaxing in the evening togethr with some wine. Which you won't be able to as a group if you're split up because you'll be worried about leaving your kids asleep in the tent.

I'd kick up a stink about it. Especially if you were guaranteed to all be together initially.

SeaShellsMyDogSmells · 02/08/2011 20:40

ahem, may be worth emailing this thread link to them

RollingInTheAisles · 02/08/2011 20:52

We're planning on booking a group holiday with FDF next year and this is really putting me off. One of the main points is being able to congregate as adults in the evening knowing the children are all within eyesight / earshot.

ChiddelyPie · 02/08/2011 21:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

feelingvfrazzled · 02/08/2011 21:03

oh I'm sure we're going to have a great weekend would rather have known about all of this so that we can plan before now! But lots of fab info and although not ideal we can hopefully work something out or maybe they will. Fingers crossed

fivegomadindorset · 02/08/2011 21:09

Get back to them and say you will cancel, first booked first served and all that.

barbet1904 · 02/08/2011 21:11

I would definitely fight your corner.if it doesn't work out on the first day get all the kids to make a racket. They'll soon change their minds. By the way, just got back from another site. Take extra blankets. You will find the deck chairs really uncomfortable after a while. Extra night lights. Otherwise absolutely wonderful. Enjoy!

SeaShellsMyDogSmells · 02/08/2011 21:22

Look at my link-they were awarded Mumsnet Best award 2011 and brag about it on the site :)

feelingvfrazzled · 02/08/2011 21:39

We're going to speak to them again so hopefully we will get some sort of solution.

Oblomov · 02/08/2011 21:44

Goodness me. You sound defeated already,as if you have already accepted it. NO. Don't do this. They are mucking you about. And you need to be very firm. Totally calm. Do not lose you cool. But be insistent. And say that you booked to be together and absolutley nothing less is acceptable. Hold firm. Do not let this go. We have friends in our campsite, who come as 4 or 5 families. And once they were split and my friend of the group, said , never again, they totally underestimated how much affect the splitting had.
Please, for god sake, hold firm , here.

notwavingjustironing · 03/08/2011 10:34

Come on then vfrazzled. Are you going to give 'em what for this morning?

Don't give in. It's not a cheap option by any stretch, you wouldn't put up with that from a five star hotel which is essentially what they are equating themselves to in the camping world, would you?

The whole point of camping in a big group is that lovely group mentality and the freedom of the children.

You wont get that by resigning yourself to patrolling the campsite or lifting sleeping children. Go on, a bit of bravery now will ensure a much happier trip.

Never underestimate the power of MN.....!!

oranges123 · 03/08/2011 11:36

feelingvfrazzled/Nicky1234, like everyone says you should NOT give in. FDF just want an easier life - the other people have shouted at them so they are hoping you will give them an easier ride. DON'T. You are paying good money to be together and it will be FAR more fun for your children if you are relaxed about where they are and what they are doing.

Bear in mind, the other group will be together wherever they are so the outcome of this will affect your group far more than theirs, particularly if it is just a shower issue as virgiltracey suggested.

I was thinking, not everyone likes these sorts of confrontational phone calls (I don't for one). If you are like me, would it be worth seeing if someone else in your group would be keen to take this up? Or perhaps get someone from each family going to call in separately and complain. That should get things sorted fairly quickly.

Blu · 03/08/2011 11:57

Tell them to move one of the tents!

feelingvfrazzled · 03/08/2011 12:19

No you are right, one of our other party is phoning this morning and also someone else has written an email (i'm rubbish with stern words!) so hopefully we will get to the bottom of it.

The more we think/chat together and read on here the more you are all right they just don't want to to anything about it. We need to be together.
I even wonder if the other people know the full situation...

Oblomov · 03/08/2011 12:26

Op, you are far too nice. Stop worrying about the other people. They have already shouted. You know this becasue you were told it by camp owner. (ha ha)
They got firm. And then they probbaly moved you based on their unhappiness.
You neded to stop beign so nice and get this sorted. quick smart.
You need someone like me. I am fab at this. I am calm, But so firm. And I leave the person with no alternative but to comply. And if i get fobbed off, I phone back.
Hope your friend, who is phoning, is as firm as me.
Come on now. Get on with it, woman !!

feelingvfrazzled · 03/08/2011 14:57

OK so we are all trying to speak to them and getting absolutely nowhere.

They claim that they don't infact guarantee that group stays together despite the fact that we are all on a single booking as well! What on earth is the point of going on a group family camping holiday if the group isnt then kept together! IF they couldn't do this because of other group sizes not fitting on the farm then that's fair enough but that just isn't the case.
Apparently he who shouts loudest gets their own way!

sockpoppet · 03/08/2011 15:26

I don't know about anyone else, but this poor customer service has put me off ever booking a holiday at Feather Down Farms.

notwavingjustironing · 03/08/2011 15:51

Best they update the website accordingly then, making it very clear in their terms and conditions.

Seems a bit unfair to imply one policy and implement another (assuming I've understood the story correctly)