Feather Down Farm Days (Park Farm)

Our family has farmed here for four generations and now tend to 250 acres of arable crops including wheat, oil seed rape and beans. But we’re sure you’ll find our 400 ewes more interesting, especially at lambing time from early April to early May. If you’re lucky you might witness the event first hand from your tent. You’ll also love getting to know our naughty pygmy goats, Eric and Ernie.

Park Farm is a mixed arable and sheep farm nestling on the edge of the picturesque village of Littleworth. Spectacular views stretch out from the foot of your tent away towards the Cotswolds and the Thames. At this point it is lined with weeping willows and lush pasture, a far cry from the brown muddy giant that cuts its way through London and its western suburbs, just an hour and a half’s drive away. Upstream roughly 20 miles to its source, a similar distance downstream, the Thames meets the Isis overlooked by the dreaming spires of Oxford.

We are the Viners: Bill and Shaena and youngest daughter Lindsay who looks after the Feather Down guests (and was interviewed by Red magazine on just that subject in their Christmas edition). The family have been here for four generations - Bill was brought up in the gorgeous farmhouse that his grandfather came to almost 100 years ago.

The tents are at the top of a grassy sloping meadow, with lots of space for running around and blowing off the cobwebs from town living, and spectacular views that stretch our from the foot of your tent towards the Upper Thames Valley to the Cotswolds. You can walk down to the river, and it's a four mile round trip to Radcot Lock - five if you want to take refreshment in the Swan there on the oldest bridge over the Thames.

Behind the tents is a steep wooded slope that's perfect for older children to explore, make camps and collect wild fruits in September. Shaena's legendary jams are on sale in the farm larder year round - although she is reluctant to give out the recipe, she might share it if you ask nicely.
The seasons at Park Farm

With each ewe having two or three young each year, April is lambing mecca here. The younger farmers amongst you will want to witness the drama first hand. Perhaps you will even be invited to get hands on and help out bringing them into the world. Whatever month you come, you’ll be able to check the sheep each morning and feed any orphaned lambs. You may also spot badgers, foxes, buzzards, red kites and even the lesser spotted woodpecker on your rounds.

In May and June comes silage and hay making, sheep shearing in July, harvest in August and planting next year’s crops in autumn.
Pets not allowed

No dogs unfortunately due to the sheep and lambs being right next door to the tents. Recently featured in Red magazine, Park Farm is a 370-acre mixed arable and sheep farm nestling on the edge of the picturesque village of Littleworth.

Park Farm is such a special place for us and we really enjoy being able to share it with our guests, seeing people having fun here really brings the farm to life.

Lindsay, Bill and Shaena Viner