Intake Farm

Gostou The owners of Intake Farm were absolutely wonderful. They gave us a tour of their farm/barn during feeding times so you could really get up and close with all their animals. In terms of the camping itself, we really liked the different options for the tent pitches (woodland or field). The camping area was nice and secluded and full of birdsong. We liked the fact that this campsite was off-grid with a composting toilet (which didn't smell) and outdoor showers (we didn't use these those), but this could be a dealbreaker for some.

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Gostou It’s a working farm with some natural woodland… looked to be ancient deciduous, with hazel, young sycamore and ash. The woodland is scattered with natural rock and it is a pleasant place to be! There is also some nice, flat, well kept ground nearby for a typical tent pitch which is located near to the showers and toilets. I chose to pitch in the woodland with my tarp and bivy, the ground soil was very soft with those natural rocks just under the surface but managed to find a decent spot. The woodland is naturally sheltered from the wind.

The owner seemed nice and accommodating. I pitched in a very wet March… I can only imagine summer would be even nicer. Lots of wildlife about, pheasants and spiders, the woodland is teeming with life - I respected the owners rule regarding not burning twigs and fallen branches as it plays a vital role in the natural ecosystem.

Would certainly stay again!

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Gostou the people were welcoming and friendly, and i loved the option to come and help with feeding! a beautiful place with good facilities x

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Gostou Lovely scenery and quite isolated from the road!

Friendly owner and staff, lovely dogs, loved their Saint Bernard.

Toilet is well-kept.

I'm sure it's a good site when dry and warmer.

Não gostou The image of the cream coloured tarp in the pictures you see of this site is still there, green and mouldy I assume.

Awning lines are left strapped around trees. I couldn't pitch my tent because the ground was so thick of leaves and branches before I could hit the dirt with my pegs (Which is my own issue), had to camp in the boggy sloped field.

Do NOT go off season, the showers are taken apart and I wasn't aware of this until I made it to site, I wouldn't have booked if I knew this sooner.

Pretty difficult to pitch in the foresty bit if you have a slightly longer tent
Extremely muddy and boggy when it's wet. Your car can get stuck!

For the price off-season it was terrible, I would not recommend anyone going around February.

I suggest going in April or later if you wish to camp there. Only when it's dry though.

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Gostou Within 30 mins of arriving at the campsite I knew I would want to visit again. While Maria was showing me where I could camp (I could choose from the wooded area or the field) she was telling me about their farm and the work/therapy they are involved in. Their passion for helping vulnerable people was obvious. If you are camping you are invited to help feed their animals twice a day, which was a real treat, some very friendly goats and pigs! I chose to camp in the field as I wanted to enjoy the last of the summer sun. The pitch was pretty flat. There were 2 compost toilets, 2 showers and a washing up area in the corner of the field. Cows were in the field behind, very used to people. There was a very lovely (steep at times) walk through an rspb area to a pub on the canal, plus you are close to lots of walking routes in the Manifold Valley. You can buy meat direct from the farm, and there is a shop in the village. I usually keep myself to myself when camping, but the people there were so lovely I found myself being quite sociable!! The nights were lovely and quiet except for the tawny owls and animals settling down for the night. Perfect.

Não gostou Nothing at all

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Gostou The size of the campsite, you’re not all on top of each other. They’re not squeezing an excessive number of people in.
Being able to see the stars free of light pollution.
The animals!!! We love being able to get involved in feeding time. Milking the goat was a huge treat!!
We all really enjoyed meeting Phil the bushcraft expert, he was wonderful with the kids teaching them to make fire.

Não gostou Absolutely nothing!

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Gostou Owners were fantastic, animals were lovely and the farm and grounds were super enjoyable!!

Não gostou Nothing!!

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Gostou As a seasoned camper, I’ve stayed at countless sites over the years but Intake Farm is something else entirely. What David and Maria have created here goes far beyond simply opening their land to campers. It’s not just a campsite, it’s a sanctuary, part farm, part healing ground, and wholly unique.

From the moment you arrive, the warmth and creative nature of the hosts spills over in every detail. There’s an energy about the place that is hard to put into words, calming, restorative, and deeply uplifting. The farm tours, offered freely, are both fascinating and heartwarming. Meeting the animals was one of the highlights of my trip, they brought joy and a real sense of connection to nature.

What touched me most though was seeing the charitable spirit behind Intake Farm. David and Maria’s stories of how the site and its animals have helped children with neurodivergece or mental health afflictions really impacted on me, it adds another layer of meaning to being there. You’re not just camping, you’re contributing to something that makes a genuine difference.

I left Intake Farm feeling ten times better than when I arrived, lighter, happier, and refreshed in a way no ordinary campsite has ever managed. And as if that wasn’t enough, a short walk through enchanting woodland takes you to The Black Lion at Consall, a wonderfully situated pub on an old steam railway line beside the canal. It was the perfect cherry on top of an unforgettable stay.

If you’re looking for more than just a place to pitch a tent, if you want an experience that nourishes your soul as well as giving you a beautiful spot to relax, Intake Farm is beyond compare. I cannot recommend it highly enough. 11/10. Not to be passed up on.

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Gostou Such a perfect peaceful campsite. We stayed in the camping field which had composting toilets, showers, fresh water and a washing up sink. Quite level ground so easy to sleep. Only noise were owls and the odd moo or baa. Twice a day we helped feeding their farm animals. David and Maria have a wealth of knowledge to happily share.

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Gostou Lovely setting.

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