Tapnell Manor – The Perfect Family Escape

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 indoor play barn, featuring zip wires, straw bale tunnels, a giant chalkboard, climbing wall, soft play and Imagination Playground. 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. (Activities are at an extra cost.)

The brill, bouncing pillow and playbarn are free to guests staying at Tapnell Farm and what a 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 Manor, at the heart of Tapnell Farm, provides fabulous accommodation for groups of up to 20 family and friends (plus babies in cots) and has recently undergone a major refurbishment to refresh the grandeur of this magnificent, period farmhouse. On the ground floor and a lower level, there are loads of rooms for children and adults to spread out, play or relax.

On the ground floor, the beamed reception room has comfy seating and an open fire, then the huge main living room has sofas, a TV, with Sky and a DVD player and a roaring open fire. The beamed dining room is a beautiful setting for a celebration meal, with warm red walls and an elegant table that easily seats 16, plus wooden high chairs are available on request. On the lower level, families will find more informal living and dining areas, as well as the modern farmhouse kitchen/diner, complete with a 4-oven Aga, 4-oven hobs, fridge freezer and all the essentials, including plastic crockery and sippy cups. A children’s playroom has a sofa bed and TV while a games room is kitted out with table tennis, darts bard, board games and a baby walker and this room opens onto a paved patio overlooking the garden. Parents can relax and enjoy the views in a large sunny conservatory with another dining area, and the lower level also has a wet room and utility room.

Most of the bedrooms at Tapnell Farm are very spacious and 6 of these are on the first floor, as well as 3 newly updated bathrooms and 1 shower room : the Blue Room is ensuite and has a super king-size bed, and a single bed, Sky TV and space for additional beds or cots; Grandma's Room has a double bed with a TV; Afton View has twin beds and a bathroom opposite; the Garden Room has a king-size bed and Sky TV; Magnolia is a triple room; the Nursery has a put up bed, bed, a wooden cot and space for a travel cot. Two stairways lead to the four attic bedrooms, snuggled under the eaves: Tennyson's Room has a double sleigh bed and spectacular views over Tennyson's down; The Butterfly Room is ensuite and has a double bed and a sofa bed; Solent View and The Nest are both ensuite double bedrooms and share a lounge area with a TV. For children and adults to spill outside, Tapnell Manor has its own English country garden to explore and a BBQ is available, but parents with free ranging toddlers should be aware of several water features. Guests can also take full advantage of a wood fired hot tub.