Cottage holidays on working farms

There is something very special about a holiday in a self-catering cottage on a working farm.

Surrounded by fresh air and acres of countryside, everywhere you walk there are views and something interesting to stop and look at. Who cannot stop and enjoy the sight of a flock of sheep crossing the road, chickens pecking around or ducks with a clutch of ducklings?

The country is a welcome change of environment for city dwellers, replacing the concrete with greenery and getting back to our agricultural roots.

The attraction for families staying on a working farm is the chance to see the animals, where they live and to allow the children to help feed them All around the UK and Ireland are cottage breaks on farms that deliberately create animal feeding and petting opportunities for the childrens' delight.

Children will happily gaze into pig pens and feed them leftovers from your meals, you won't have to ask them to do this twice. Depending on where you stay, there are chickens to be fed, eggs to be collected, goats to be petted and ponies to be stroked.

Rules for holiday accommodation on working farms are the same as for any other self-catering holiday lets; the cottages should be clean, serviceable and fully equipped for a good holiday. The quality and rating of cottages will vary; you should be able to find a complete range from simple accommodation up to luxurious elegance. Terms and conditions of letting will also be similar. Because farmers are independent businesses, each will set their own terms and conditions of letting. The norm is for a deposit paid to reserve the accommodation with a final balance being paid a stated period of time before arrival

Farms are muddy places and wellington boots are essential for the whole family. This is all part of the pleasure of a stay in the country and children love to get muddy.

You can of course go out for day trips to see the local attractions or beaches, or you can spend time exploring the countryside surrounding your cottage. Kids love to make dens in the woods, climb trees and paddle in shallow streams. How often do they get that kind of opportunity?

Everyone should try a farm holiday at least once and especially if your children are primary school age. The experience will be an education that includes biology, botany and geography. They would learn far more from a hands-on experience than sitting at a desk.

Do read about the joys of a cottage in the country and discover what you're missing.