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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:
sockpoppet · 03/08/2011 22:29

Might not come up yet, the Google worm might not have passed by our thread about the feather down farm in dorset.

lovecat · 03/08/2011 22:39

This has put me off going to Feather Down Farm in Knaveswell, Dorset. Very poor customer service.

A shame, because DH's family have been talking about having a big family campout next year (5 families, 17 people), but there's no way we could take the risk of being messed about and not being in the same field together.

Blu · 03/08/2011 23:23

But if they told you (when you booked) that they couldn't guarantee you specific tents but that you wouldn't be split up, how come they could guarantee someone ELSE specific tents?

A Verbal agreement counts as a contract if money has changed hands.

I hpoe you can get them to see sense. Surely parties being together is more important than being in specific tents?

Hope it all works out for your trip to Feather Down Farm, Knaveswell, Corfe Castle, Dorset.

miggy · 03/08/2011 23:41

That's appaling and inexcusable, can see why you are so upset. Shame on you feather down farm

OneHundredPercentFucked · 04/08/2011 11:58

Well Feather Down Farm, Knaveswell, Corfe Castle, Dorset isn't on the first four pages of google.

Memoo · 04/08/2011 13:10

We we're planning on booking feather down farm next year and this has really put me off too!

AlmaMartyr · 04/08/2011 16:05

Feather Down Farm, Knaveswell, Corfe Castle, Dorset? It's a shame, it looks like a lovely place for a group holiday if you were able to be together.

I hope you manage to get this sorted, I understand why you're upset. I wouldn't be happy camping separately with this kind of set up. I would have thought that somewhere that seems to pride itself on being family friendly (especially with the Mumsnet link) would want to be more accommodating. I don't see why they say you have no guarantee as a group you'll be together etc, but the other booking seem to be able to get a guarantee that they can have specific tents.

feelingvfrazzled · 04/08/2011 16:27

We have basically been told they have done everything they can for us. And that's that... End of story.

I feel very sad that they have ruined what should be an exciting period for us by simply being unreasonable and having awful customer service/handling. Aside from selling us something in November that they coulnd't actually provide.

We could have gone anywhere back then, now we're stuffed. Anyone got a field with 5 tents in we can stay in next weekend?!?!?!?

oranges123 · 04/08/2011 16:28

Have you thought about twitter or Facebook for this op?

feelingvfrazzled · 04/08/2011 16:30

What do you mean sorry, being thick maybe???

hocuspontas · 04/08/2011 16:47

Shall we bombard them with emails? It's not on - especially as they sell it as a group thing. Really upset for you. Sad

feelingvfrazzled · 04/08/2011 16:52

Thjank you all so much but I just don't know what use it will do, they can so easily fix this but simply refuse to. I do not understand it.

LIZS · 04/08/2011 17:01

I just don't get why the group of 2 seemingly are taking priority bar the shouting. They can still be together, as can your group, assuming noone is given a say on which pitch they take. FDF should be applying their rule equally or not at all Hmm. Bet they complain about your dc running all over fi you share the field . Is the site fully booked now btw?

midnightexpress · 04/08/2011 17:06

Trip Advisor come stop of the google list when you type in the campsite name, so I'd start by writing a stinking review there if I were you.

Wish I had a campsite you could come to OP. FeatherDown Farm, Corfe Castle, Dorset sound as if they have appalling customer service and I'll mention it to anyone who asks.

oranges123 · 04/08/2011 17:06

I mean post what has happened on fb or twitter. They have very broad circulation and fdf are certainly on the latter.

midnightexpress · 04/08/2011 17:06

Trip Advisor

shoes1234 · 04/08/2011 17:14

Feather Down farms are completely blinkered in there decision to do what they have done. Mums are very protective of each other and will be stronger and more powerful than a small company!! Silly If you ask me.

RollingInTheAisles · 04/08/2011 17:22

Blu has a really, really good point. If they can't guarantee you tents together why are they guaranteeing in the party of two their tents not only together but in a specific location?

ChiddelyPie · 04/08/2011 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hocuspontas · 04/08/2011 17:31

'Our tents are spaced both for easy interaction and a sense of privacy, so groups can be together without being on top of one another.'

This is from their website and is obviously a load of bollocks. What they mean is '.... so groups can be together on the same farm without being on top of each other'.

feelingvfrazzled · 04/08/2011 17:38

I am both, didnt realise it didn't just change on all messages, it was my state of mind after a couple of days of thisand my poor organising friend had an extra 2 days before me...
This is the thing, this is totally fixable, avoidable even, but they simply wont move the other group. We are not being unreasonable, if they said there was a specific reason - which we don't need to know what - and asked if we minded splitting then we would have done so happily and carried on as normal.
But no - we have been told they booked that field. Despite them taking our booking as a group and assurances that this camp would accommodate us en masse in a single field and so we went ahead.
The other party of 2 would still be together for heavens sake!
And the 20% discount for next year is frankly insulting!
I have never experienced such insanity in all my life!

lisad123 · 04/08/2011 17:49

wondering when FDF are going to grow some bulls and come on this thread and explain actions! terrible behaviour

miggy · 04/08/2011 18:01

have you actually paid all the money now?
would trading standards be any help?

LIZS · 04/08/2011 18:08

Have you told them you booked on MN recommendation (as on they are so free to use as an endorsement on their website) and will be disappointed to have to submit a negative review ?

MerylStrop · 04/08/2011 18:20

I am so frustrated on your behalf.

I'd love a Feather Down Farm Holiday but this is definitely putting me off.

I would still say that it's not the other party's fault and - like - you they are paying top whack for this holiday, and have probably looked forward to it for a long time. The fault is squarely with FDF who shouldn't be making conflicting promises to people (through greed or incompetance). At the least they should be finding and paying for a babysitter for you each night....half price holiday and profuse apologies would be more like it.