Middle Stone Farm
UK England South West England Somerset Taunton
Middle Stone Farm, Brompton Ralph, Somerset TA4 2RT
It seems fitting that Middle Stone Farm has named its six safari tents Buzzard, Hawk, Kestrel, Badger, Fox and Stag, in two separate three acre fields with brilliant views towards the surrounding hills. Positioned between Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, this remote patch of rural Somerset is an ideal sanctuary for wildlife. Barn owls can occasionally be heard hooting and house martins arrive beneath the eaves of Catherine and Patrick’s farmhouse every summer. Then there are the farm’s own critters: goats, sheep, chickens and alpacas – it all adds to Middle Stone’s blissful backcountry feel.
Firmly at the upper end of the luxury scale, the safari tents feature everything you could possibly need beneath the forest green wingspan of their canvas roofs, including some added luxuries, like wood fired hot tubs outside, perfect for star spotting at night. At the heart of each tent is the wood-burning stove – a source of heat but also great for cooking on – and there’s even a small fridge beneath the aptly named ‘cupboard bed’: a two-person cubbyhole in the wall that children particularly adore. Each tent has an en-suite shower room at the far end, while, out front, the large sun deck reveals far-reaching views towards the Somerset hills.
In its own private corner of the farm, a wooden cabin called The Deckhouse offers an alternative to the three safari tents, and can be booked on its own or, if you're quick, together with the rest of the site to accommodate larger groups (they happily host small wedding parties and organised groups). The whitewashed cabin works well for both couples and families, with a king-sized bed and separate bunkroom, while a large, open plan living space has a slightly retro feel. It makes a beautiful contrast with the modern shower room and smart new wood-burner that gives added warmth to the airy interior. Plus, of course there’s another wood-fired hot tub just outside, complete with a barbecue area, log store and views across the farmland.
Evening campfires remind guests that, despite all the luxuries, this is still very much a camping holiday. Organic meat from the farm is available from the site shop if you want something to sear over the flames, along with local ciders, beer and wine, Exmoor gin, sourdough from the local bakery and the weekend papers (among other treats). For a proper pint, though, it’s a fair trek along the Somerset footpaths (three-and-a-half miles) to the nearest local watering hole. But then, the real gift of this glampsite is its off-the-beaten track location. Hop in to the car to get to the West Somerset beaches, drive the 20 minutes to the Quantock Hills, explore the nearby market town of Taunton or cycle into the fringes of Exmoor National Park three miles away. Off the track it may be, but you needn’t drive far for heaps of options.
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The Owner Says
Award Winning Middle Stone Farm in rural West Somerset offers six luxuriously furnished safari lodges a wooden cabin and cottage each complete with their own private hot tubs and views of the surrounding hills.
The safari lodges each sleep up to six people (Stag Lodge sleeps eight), they are spacious and comfy and equipped with everything you need for your stay. With ensuite spacious bathrooms, hot water showers, flushing loos, large wood-burning Aga style stove for cooking and heating the tent, a mini fridge-freezer, charging sockets and high quality furnishings, these exceptional safari tents represent the very best in luxury UK glamping. Outside each lodge has its own wood fired hot tub, bbq area, picnic table and hammock.
The Deckhouse cabin is on a different area of the farm, perfect for couples or families seeking a bit more privacy. It looks out onto rolling farmland with geese, sheep and alpaca. It also has its own wood fired hot tub, barbecue, hammock and picnic table.
Middle Stone Farm is ideally located for exploring Exmoor National Park and the stunning North Devon coast. Porlock Weir, Dunster Castle and Tarr Steps are within easy reach. You could also go fossil-hunting on Kilve beach or take a trip on the popular West Somerset Railway, the South Devon beaches are only an hour's drive away.
On-site, there is a well-stocked farm shop (open from Easter until the end of October) with local foods, warm croissants in the morning, meat from the farm, local beers, ciders and well priced wine along with all the essentials for your trip. Barbecues are provided of course, so stock up on local produce and have a zero-food-mile cook up!
On the 30 acre farm you'll see an assortment of friendly and curious animals, look out for the alpaca, rare breed sheep and pigs, in the Spring there's an opportunity to help feed orphan lambs and goats.
The safari lodges are open from April to November, the Deckhouse Cabin and Stable Cottage are open all year round. We have a minimum 2 night stay and during the school summer holidays we offer week stays.
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