There’s a certain kind of quiet that only exists in the English countryside. Not silence, but a small layering of sounds: wind moving through hedgerows, animals grazing nearby, grass crunching underfoot as you walk nowhere in particular. It’s a quiet that asks nothing of you, which may be why it feels, increasingly, like a luxury.
It’s difficult not to notice how little is hurried between a kitchen garden and a long table set for supper. The appeal of the UK farm stay lies partly here, in stepping briefly into a system that runs without spectacle, where time is measured differently and participation is optional, but always available.
Across the UK, that experience has taken on new shape. What once might have been considered purely functional has since been reimagined. The UK agritourism sector is projected to reach around £700 million by 2030, reflecting a growing appetite for experiences that feel grounded and connected to place. It’s not about abandoning comfort – far from it – but finding it somewhere new, closer to the land.
As Kyra Millar, Head of Product Insight at Oliver’s Travels, explains, ‘We’re seeing this shift clearly reflected in search demand, with interest in UK farm stays rising by more than a quarter, and related farm holiday searches also seeing strong growth. Travellers are increasingly looking for something more immersive and restorative. Farm stays offer that balance of comfort and authenticity, where guests can slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the destination in a more meaningful way.’”
Below are nine of our most compelling UK farm stays and countryside retreats.
1. Lavender Farmhouse, Cotswolds
Set on the fringes of a Cotswold village, Lavender Farmhouse carries a sense of stepping into the countryside proper. The house sits within 12.5 acres, enough space for things to happen as they will.
A croquet set rests on the lawn, the pond stays still until something disturbs the surface, and the house cats appear now and then, moving through the grounds with quiet confidence. There’s even a pool.
Oxford, Soho Farmhouse, and Banbury are all within easy reach, though the pull to stay tends to outweigh the intention to leave.
2. Cotswold Manor Estate, Cotswolds
Some places feel expansive not because of scale, but because of how they’re arranged. Cotswold Manor Estate manages both.
Spread across 14.5 acres and multiple buildings, including a manor house, barn and granary, this historic English estate offers a version of rural life that feels collective and considered.
The kitchen garden plays its part, as does the shepherd’s hut tucked within it, a gentle reminder that the land here is still producing. Meals shift from informal to fully catered, as your group moves from house to tennis court to pools to hot tubs (two!).
It’s the sort of place that caters effortlessly to large parties – accommodating up to 32 guests – without ever feeling overcrowded. Everyone has space to find their own private corner, then come back together again.
3. Willowdale House, Lake District
This part of Cumbria feels effortlessly peaceful, with uninterrupted countryside stretching out in every direction. Willowdale House sits quietly within it.
The house itself is large and light, thoughtfully decorated, with a careful restoration that introduces a touch of contemporary style while still respecting its Georgian bones.
Outside, chickens move freely through the grounds, the orangery catches changing light, and the firepit comes into use as the evening cools and long outdoor tables begin to fill.
It’s rural in the truest sense: properly, quietly removed.
4. Buttercup Estate, Midlands
Set within 15 acres of open countryside in Sutton Bonington, Buttercup Estate brings together a collection of four individual homes.
At its centre, Buttercup Farmhouse and Sweet Violet provide the more sociable spaces, with layouts that lend themselves to shared meals and time spent together. Nearby, Clover Cabin and Harvest Moon offer a quieter contrast, creating a natural balance between gathering and retreat.
Interiors are clean and contemporary, softened with natural materials and a,relaxed feel. Outside, the grounds open into wide views, with space for children to roam and groups to settle into the day at their own pace.
There’s more to the stay than the houses themselves. A private cinema space offers a different way to spend an evening, while outdoor areas are set up for long, informal meals.
5. Colleton Hall and East Wing, Devon
Colleton Hall carries its history with confidence. Set within 38 acres of woodland and parkland between Exmoor and Dartmoor, the house feels grounded in its landscape, with the surrounding countryside shaping the experience as much as the interiors.
Wildlife becomes part of the story, with birdsong through the trees, and occasional reindeer moving through the grounds.
Inside, there’s a clear sense of scale and proportion, balanced by comfort and ease. It’s a house that feels both substantial and settled, in a setting that speaks for itself.
6. Landscove House & Barns, Devon
In the South Hams, where the countryside softens as it meets the coast, Landscove House and Barns unfolds across a series of connected spaces.
The main house anchors the estate, while the barns – once part of its working life – have been restored with a light touch that still reflects their original character.
It suits groups who want to spend time together, with plenty of room across the estate for a sense of privacy when it’s needed.
7. Kirdford Farmhouse, Sussex
Kirdford Farmhouse has a quietly nostalgic feel, the kind of place that seems unchanged by time. Set within wide lawns and mature trees, it sits comfortably in its surroundings.
Days unfold at an easy pace: croquet on the grass, a game of tennis court, time drifting between the house, gardens and surrounding countryside. There’s space to gather and to step away, whether that’s in a quiet corner or wandering beyond the grounds.
And yet, despite its rural setting, London remains within easy reach, making the shift from city to countryside feel surprisingly effortless.
8. Hilltop Manor, Scottish Highlands
Hilltop Manor stands at the edge of the Highlands, where the landscape opens into vast, untouched nature.
Views stretch out towards distant mountains, weather moves in quickly, and there’s a sense of exposure to the elements.
Inside, the manor is carefully restored, with generous proportions and a sense of warmth that holds against the outside scale.
A stay here is all about proximity to something wilder, where the landscape remains the defining presence.
9. Valemount, Yorkshire Dales
Set within the 3,000-acre Broughton Sanctuary estate, Valemount places you within a landscape that feels both expansive and considered.
The surrounding land encourages exploration. Walking trails wind through woodland and open moor, where you can move freely and lose a sense of distance. The house, by contrast, offers a place to return to, with light-filled spaces and a quiet sense of enclosure.
Beyond, the estate opens up further possibilities, from wellness spaces to guided experiences, all still rooted in the surrounding countryside.
From the rolling fields of the Cotswolds to the wild edges of the Highlands and the layered landscapes of Devon and Yorkshire, our UK portfolio places you within reach of some of Britain and Ireland’s most compelling countryside and farm stays.
