Safari Tent 2

Fun for little ones, yummy food and a choice of fabulous accommodation makes Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight an all-round winner. At the same time, the family who own Tapnell Farm have created a sustainable success story on lots of levels which all add up to a great destination for families.

Back in 1970, Tapnell Farm would have been rocking to legends like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, overlooking the site of the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, but now there are only the sounds of the countryside and the squeals of happy kids. Maybe they’ve discovered the giant jumping pillow to bounce, slither and slide around, or perhaps the new farm park featuring, a giant chalkboard, climbing wall, soft play and farm animals. Children can collect eggs from the obliging hens and help the owners feed the lambs or have a go at archery, climbing, bushcraft, mountain boarding and zorbing thanks to the local Adventure Activities company who are based are Tapnell Farm. (Farm park and Activities are at an extra cost.)

There is a great choice of places to stay here too! How about glamping in a super swish safari tent or chilling in the Scandinavian luxury of an eco-log cabin? There are also two family holiday cottages at Tapnell Farm and a Manor House for up to 20 family and friends, which is perfect for a celebration occasion – especially with kid’s party packages available, which include catering from the onsite restaurant, The Cow Co. Worth noting that the whole farm can be hired for special occasions!

All the accommodation at Tapnell Farm offers every home from home comfort to flop and relax, with amazing views over the fields and towards the sea. Each one has been designed, finished and furnished to the highest spec and each has its own plus points to suit different families. The magnificent manor includes a games room and 10 bedrooms which are mostly ensuite, including a dedicated nursery, while Stockbridge cottage has a large garden with a climbing frame and The Dairymans has a hot tub for luxuriating under the stars. The log cabins are large and luxurious, and the safari tents really put the glam in glamping, with separate bedrooms, showeroom and a living area with a woodburner.

When parents don’t feel like cooking, The Cow Co. provides a funky setting to tuck into homemade dishes, with beef and dairy the stars of the show, from juicy burgers and sumptuous steaks to lush ice creams and speciality cheeses. It’s ideal for a light bite and speciality coffee at lunchtime but also open on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner, and licensed to sell real ales and wines to help parents wind down. Within The Cow Co there is also a shop which sells all sorts of foodie goodies and unique gifts.

Accommodation Overview

Tapnell Farm offers a wide range of accommodation, comprising The Manor House for 20 people, two 4-bedroom holiday cottages for 8 people, luxury safari tents for up to 8 people and 3-bedroom log cabins for up to 10 people. Travel cots and highchairs are available for all the accommodation and the Manor has a dedicated nursery with a wooden cot.

The Safari Tents at Tapnell Farm (sleep up to 8 plus a baby) provide the ultimate glamping experience that could convert the most anti-camping parents and which kids will never want to leave. The tents have electricity, plug sockets and Wi Fi and are Tardis-like in terms of space, completely self contained and exceptionally well kitted out for comfort and self catering. The living area includes a sofa bed, bean bag, dining table and log burning range for cooking and getting cosy, while a kitchen area boasts everything including fridge and the kitchen sink. The tents have 3 bedrooms with comfy beds for a good night’s sleep, complete with electric blankets and comprising of one double, one double cabin bed and one with single bunks. There’s no trekking off to a loo block either because the tents have their own wc and shower room. The front of the tent opens onto a private deck with a barbecue to kick back and enjoy the views, the sunsets and the starry nights, a private fire pit and if you fancy eating under the stars there is a communal pizza oven and two of the tents even have log burning hot tubs.