East Farm Glamping Northumberland - Dog Friendly Stay

 

It makes my heart so happy when I see the words 'boutique glamping' and 'dog friendly' in the same sentence. East Farm Glamping take luxury to a new level and offer couples (and their four legged friends) the ultimate rural escape. Surrounded by nothing but vast open fields and quiet countryside, this haven of tranquility is the perfect place to relax and recharge. 

Set in 100-acres of private land in rural Northumberland, this area of outstanding natural beauty is hidden away, yet easy to find. Before your arrival, the hosts Jack and Laura e-mail through an online guestbook which includes detailed directions, arrival information, a local area guide, full instructions on how to light the hot tub etc, wi-fi password and guest rules. With this information at hand the whole check in process was so easy and Laura was only a phone call away if we had any questions. 

Overlooking a large private pond, the cabin is beautifully decorated both inside and out and the attention to detail to provide guests with as much comfort and luxury as possible is clear from the many little touches throughout. Towelling robes, fairy lights (both in the bedroom and outside along the decking) and fresh local brownies left with a welcome note to name a few. 

The large feature windows in the bedroom and living area of the cabin make it super light and welcoming and ensure you can enjoy the beauty of the setting whether inside or out, no matter the weather. Murphy did particularly enjoy the panoramic bird watching this allowed! 

Being a glamping cabin, all the stress of camping is taken away and everything you could possibly need for your stay is already there and provided for you. Including a fully equipped kitchen with cooker, hob and microwave, kettle and all cooking equipment, smart TV, sheets, power shower, towels, toiletries, tea, coffee and milk. There are also a selection of board games for guests to enjoy (we had a lot of fun playing Mr & Mrs!) and for doggy guests there are bowels, blankets, a dog lead, poo bags and treats. 

We were lucky to have such amazing weather when we went and the cabin was plenty warm enough but there is a cosy wood burner in the cabin for those colder months. 

Outside there is an outdoor firepit, BBQ, wood fired hot tub, day bed and mini bar. All logs are supplied free of charge for the duration of your stay. Relaxing in the hot tub with only the sounds of nature all around us was pure bliss. 

Being so close to part of the Hadrian's Wall, we had originally planned to do a walk there, however the weather was that nice we decided to head to the beach instead. Laura and Jack were only too happy to recommend several different beaches to us as well as a good circular route for Hadrian's wall. 

Being surrounded by nothing but wide open fields allows East Farm to get the best of both sunrise and sunset with nothing in the way to spoil the view! The large window beside the bed is in prime position meaning you can simply roll up the blind and enjoy the stunning sunrise without even having to leave the warmth and comfort of your bed!  

If you're looking for a rural escape without compromising on all the home comforts and added luxuries East Farm Glamping is the one for you. We had a fantastic stay and will definitely be back again in the future. 

The code 'Murphy05' will save you money on any booking. AD/Press Trip 

Love Kelly & Murphy x x x

 

Defender Camping Yorkshire

 

I don't think I can adequately put into words how epic our experience with Defender Camping Yorkshire was. With a fleet of four defenders to choose from (three of which are dog friendly) they offer the ultimate stay-cation adventure. Bursting with charm and character, these unique, iconic vehicles take road trips to the next level. 

It's evident that Tom and his family have a genuine passion for what they do and want to make your defender experience as easy and memorable as possible. A few days prior to our trip we were emailed with an extensive guide that covered every question we had (and even those we didn't know we had!) This simple guide covered everything from arrival information, tips on how to drive the vehicles, emergency info and easy to follow setting up and taking down instructions (with videos). Although a full brief is given when you collect the vehicle, I found this guide really useful, especially when it came to packing and knowing what to take. I was reassured that these guys have literally covered everything you could possibly need and all we really had to take was sleeping bags and food! The thought that these guys have put into their kit is second to none. From power banks and cool boxes, to washing up liquid and sachets of cooking oil. When I say they covered everything, I mean everything! 

Upon arriving we were introduced to the stunner that is Sheila, a silver defender 110 (who immediately stole my partners heart). Rugged and immaculate aren't usually words you'd use together to describe the same thing but that's exactly what she was. Tom took his time to talk us through every aspect of the vehicle, roof tent and side awning, even offering us to test drive the vehicle to ensure we felt comfortable and confident before setting off. 

With nothing left to do but enjoy the drive and armed with a generous 150 mile mileage allowance per day we headed to the Lake District (under 2 hours away). Now I've heard a lot of things about defenders (not always good) and maybe that's why I was so pleasantly surprised by the comfort and joy of driving down winding single track lanes and over rougher country roads. There's just something about its quintessentially British simplicity, yet all-round capability that you can't help but fall in love with. 

Another pleasant surprise was how easy it was to set up the tent box. Arriving in the dark, I wasn't relishing the idea of setting up camp for the night. However it really is the most simple and straightforward piece of kit and was up in under 5 minutes! Plenty spacious for two and with a comfy foam mattress we cosied down for the night. It's worth mentioning here that whilst these campers are dog friendly and have an optional large secure dog crate within the back or back seat hammock and seat belt for travelling, dogs are very understandably not allowed within the roof tent, meaning they must sleep within the crate at night. 

The most pleasant surprise of all came in the morning when we wanted to make a quick getaway to try and catch the sunrise over Wastwater. Everybody knows packing the tent away is the worst part of any camping trip right?! The tent box went away just as easily as it went up and we were good to go within 10 minutes. 

For me the absolute pinnacle of the trip was being able to pull up at the side of the lake, fire the stove and enjoy freshly cooked food as the sun went down. It's rare that you can enjoy moments of complete and undisturbed solitude, when you feel like the only ones on earth, but the true beauty of defender campers is that they allow you that respite. That break from reality to escape to the roads less travelled. 

If you're looking for a unique and memorable adventure of your own, we couldn't recommend Defender Camping Yorkshire more. For me the gear and the vehicle only make up part of the experience. The other part is made by the people behind the scenes who work tirelessly to ensure everything is taken care of and you have the best time possible. We can't thank Tom and Sophie enough for making this the perfect trip and sharing your passion with us. 

Love Kelly & Murphy x x