Farming holidays

[linlam]

Has anyone ever been on one..by farming holiday, I mean where you actually help out on a farm, not just use a holiday cottage on a working farm site. I'm looking for a good old English , get away from my desk, and use some muscles, or those I hope to develop, holiday. I haven't come across anything so far... I quite fancy harvest time..mind you I think even that is almost automated these days. Any links ideas will be looked into.

*hums to oneself ooh aar..I am a cider drinker*

[nickmo]

Go to www.farmstay.co.uk and choose your region. Happy to plug them. Cheap hols anytime of the year. Stay B & B (average cost �24.50 pp per night) or self catering, and anywhere in the UK. All facilities graded. Some are 14th C manor houses, some with beaches, or hill farm locations, etc etc. and all offer brilliant breakfasts!

172 page brochure available, give them a call and theylll send one. 01271 336141

Those that actually let you loose with a couple of tons of tractor to run about in, or handle livestock (ever tried to hold onto a ton and a half of bull by the nose?) are few due to health and safety and liability laws nowadays, but the brochure tells you which will allow visitors to work or participate as well.

Always used to do this sort of holiday as kids - really recommend it!

If you do want to work at a break, there are a few charities that would grab you by the proverbials if you want to volunteer. Search web for ideas or see the National Trust, or look at for one suggestion: http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100186.htm

[linlam]

That info is exactly the type I'm looking for. I'll call the number tonight. Thank you ever so much. I'll also be looking into the conservation site too. Wonderful!

[nickmo]

No problem, inlam.

Glad to help. There a couple of other sites offering farm cottage accommodation for example, but I plug Farmstay as they are a non-profit consortium representing working farms and farmers, so its a good facility for the industry.

I have used them more than a few times, and there are some stunning places that you wouldn't get to see or know about otherwise, so I am sure you will have a good holiday.

Just a suggestion, but why not do a little tour about a couple of places so you can get a taste of both what an arable farm offers, or a livestock one, organic or intensive etc etc. You can combine this with a bit of food tourism as well and get to the farmers' markets or farm shops and order up stuff for delivery to your home as a souvenir of the trip.

The conservation hols can be taken as only a weekend break if you want a feel good few days. You basically pay to work for the group - doesn't seem right, but again you get to put a bit back into the planet....

Have a nice time.