“When people ring us up to book a stay, one of their first questions is “are there animals on the farm?” and when we tell them they’ll see plenty, they can’t wait to get here,” says Susan Holland, who runs Kemphill Farm, a working farm at Upton, near Ryde with husband Ron. This is just one of nearly 40 properties that together make up Isle of the Wight Farm and Country Holiday Group. On the vast majority you’ll find animals ranging from ducks and geese to sheep and cows – and including friendly farm dogs like Pip, the Holland’s sheepdog, a favourite with Kemphill’s child guests.

The Farm and Country Holidays philosophy is a simple one: to offer holidaymakers the experience of staying on or close to a working farm or in historic old properties that are surrounded by
pastoral farmland. More often than not these have been carefully restored from old barns, dairies and other farm buildings and converted into luxury accommodation with contemporary styling.

There are cosy cottages with log fires and range cookers, charming farmhouses and magnificently beamed barns to choose from in all four corners of the Island. You can either stay in bed and breakfast accommodation or opt to self cater – but what all the properties have in common is an idyllic rural location in some of the Isle of Wight’s most striking green belt.

Holidays including Wightlink ferry travel are available at all properties. Visit: www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk for a full run down of the houses to rent for self catering holidays and bed & breakfast breaks.
 

Magnificent conversions from old farm buildings, historic hideaways in idyllic rural locations...