Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Reflecting on 2020...


For us working in the British tourism market this year has definitely been one unlike any other.  Unlike a lot of businesses we close during the winter season, opening each year for Easter when the weather (hopefully) takes a turn for the good and the days lengthen.  

When lockdown was announced we were getting ready to open for the year and we had to contact all guests to explain that we couldn't open as planned.  Like many, we initially thought that the lockdown would last for a few weeks... and at that point had no idea that it would actually be mid July before our first guests would arrive for their long-awaited holiday.


It should be no surprise that those lockdown months when we couldn't welcome guests were steaming hot and breaking records daily for the sunshine and temperatures!  

In the end we were open for eight weeks out of 52!  So it's fair to say we have been planning for 2021, how we can operate in a Covid-safe way, and how we can react quickly whatever this pandemic and the government guidelines throw at us. 

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Spring is springing in the kitchen garden




the sun is out which means I am spending every spare minute in the garden.  Sowing seeds and preparing beds ready for planting salads, herbs and beans.

And enjoying the fruits of last year's planting, chard, kale and purple sprouting brocolli are all going strong and a delicious, and welcome, sight.

Can't believe this time last year we were under snow!  Much prefer the sunshine!

Monday, February 11, 2019

Getting ready for the season ahead


Today there was a veritable spring in all our steps as, after a few days of rain, the forecast looks dry and sunny for the next few weeks. 

This is perfect as we are now in 24/7 prep mode getting the site and cabins ready for a busy season ahead.

A big piece of work has been creating a new chicken run, building a new chicken house and fencing off a new area in order to give the current chicken coop a break to allow the ground to recover after a  few years of hens scratching away at the ground.

The constant supply of chicken manure is actually fantastic for the ground meaning it will be fertile, but the parade of chicken feet in all weathers has created bare patches which turn muddy in the rain, so it's well worth getting it in better condition for the future.

The fencing is up, the chicken house is being finished today, and hopefully tomorrow we'll move our hens from one coop to the other.

Then the old ground will be rotovated and reseeded and hopefully this time next year we'll be moving them back to their old stomping ground where they will have a whole host of greens and little bugs to enjoy, meaning lots more giant, orange yolked eggs for our guests to enjoy.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019


Twice a week we fire up for the wood-burning oven to allow guests to cook their own pizza.  You can make your own, bring them or this year we're also offering cheese and tomato pizza for people to buy at the farm.  The perfect lazy choice.  But for those who aren't lazy!  Here's our favourite pizza dough recipe.


PAN PIZZA

1 and 2/3 cups of warm water (all our recipes use cups and measuring spoons as measurements as there are no scales in the tents)
2 and 1/2 tsp fast acting dry yeast
2 tsp salt
1/4 cup of olive oil (just regular, not your best extra virgin)
4 cups strong bread flour

In large bowl mix together the water, yeast, and salt.  Stir until dissolved and then stir in the olive oil, then the flour.  It should start sticky but then all start to come together.

Sprinkle a little flour onto the wooden worksurface of the kitchen and turn the dough out.  You can cut the dough into three or four pieces at this point to give children the chance to knead their own dough.  Knead, or let them knead the dough for five minutes.

Wash your mixing bowl (or a number of smaller bowls if you have little helpers), then dry and rub a few drops of oil on the inside to grease slightly.  Put the dough in the bowl, or bowls, and turn it so it is oiled and then drape a clean tea towel over.  If your stove is not lit, now would be a good time to light it.  Place your dough in a warm place (on the table in the sun, or to the side of the stove) until around doubled in size.

Take the dough and punch it down with your fist and turn out onto a board.

If you haven’t already, now cut it into three of four pieces. Roll out slightly and try rolling it around your fists to make it nice and thin (this takes a bit of practice we can't tell a lie!) you can do this by the pizza oven as we have baking paper there so you can place them on paper ready for going in the oven.  Use one of the pizza trays we have available and then add your chosen topping.  Pop into the oven and don’t go anywhere!  If the oven is hot it will cook in just a few minutes.

That’s it!

Our favourite toppings:
·         Garden tomatoes; simply gather up the freshest garden tomatoes in a mix of colours and shapes and slice thinly.  Drizzle a little oil over the dough, rub over a garlic clove then add a thin layer of tomatoes, add salt and pepper then whack in the oven.  When out of the oven grate over parmesan and add some basil leaves.
·         Cheese and tomatoes; as above but add on dollops of mozzarella and a few shavings of cheddar and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
·         Olives and anchovies, Smear the dough with tomato paste (just regular readymade pasta sauce from a jar is just fine) then sprinkle chopped olives, sliced spring onions and a few anchovies.
·         Cheese and chilli, grate a strong cheddar cheese over the door and a sprinkling of chopped chillies.  Add cubed chorizo for a meaty punch

Monday, January 21, 2019

New places to eat when you stay on the farm...

One of the most important jobs I have is to keep updated our list of the best places to eat out when you stay on the farm (it's a hard life!).

This week the job is to update the website with the new places which have opened and need adding to our lists on the website and in our farm newspaper.

The big new opening has been the Farmers Arms which offers a fish and chip shop (big tick), pub (yes please) and restaurant (thumbs up).  In the interest of research we have sampled all three heavily and can honestly say everything offered by the team at Farmers Arms is outstanding, we can't wait to hear guests' views this year, it also has a private dining room for large groups which I know is going to be useful.

Second is a venue in Bude Temple which offers an eclectic mix of cafe, bar and fashion and homeware store.  They offer coffee, cake, lunch, dinner or just pop in for a cocktail.  Best of all they offer vegan, gluten free and lots of veggie options and if you're looking for friendly service beachside, this is the place we'd recommend.

Both of these places are being added to our recommended lists, let us know if you have a favourite which needs adding on!
 www.berridonfarm.co.uk

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Bring your dog!


We love dogs on the farm and Roger and Betty are very much part of the farm family.  But we have never accepted dogs with our guests for various reasons.

This year however we are going to get more in the canine spirit and welcome dogs for bookings in Spekes and Welcombe cabins during April, May and June, just to see how popular it is.

Do let us know if you think this is something you’d like to be involved with this year.  All we ask is that dogs are kept on the lead while in the camping field and by the farmyard, and that dogs obviously scoop after their dogs!  There is a limit of one small dog per cabin (we won’t have one of their fairground signs, ‘are you tall enough for this ride?’ but class a small dog as the kind of chap that can sit on your lap without your legs going numb.

We are lucky enough to live in an area with loads to do for dogs, there are lots of walks and obviously dog friendly beaches with no restrictions all year around including Sandmouth and Black Rock Beach.

Do pack up your dog bed, a variety of balls to play catch and your pooch and plan your glamping with pet stay this summer.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Five reasons to come and stay at Berridon Farm


Five good reasons to come and stay at Berridon Farm


1. Everything is included
Everything that you will need for your holiday has been included, so you should only have to bring clothes, your swimsuit, sun tan lotion, that book you’ve been promising yourself you’d find time to read, and maybe a mac and a pair of wellingtons, just in case!  Our cabins are designed for you to enjoy a simpler way of life without compromising on comfort.  You will find fresh bed linen, pillows, duvets, a kitchen pack and firelighters and candles all in your cabin on your arrival


2. Enjoy family time
Rediscover the fun of just being together as a family.  Put away the devices and enjoy a game of Monopoly, Scrabble and Uno.  Enjoy a family candlelit dinner.  Swap stories and share discoveries from the day by the camp fire.  Plan surfing lessons, or just find an off the beaten track beach and paddle in the shallows.


3. Take it easy
Every morning we bake coissants, pain au chocolate or delicious baguettes.  You can order homemade pies, soups and casseroles for reheating in your cabin.  Simply let us know before you arrive or mark your choices on an order form in the farm pantry before 5pm the night before and they’ll be in the fridge for you the next day.  In the pantry just write your purchases on your clip board and settle the bill at the end of your stay.

4. Time to relax
Each cabin has a veranda to sit back and relax on.  Put your feet up, pour a glass of wine or make a cup of coffee and watch the sun set over the meadow. Enjoy a soak in the woodburning hot tub.  Explore our 50 acre farm and adjacent woodland


5. Have an Adventure!
We are perfectly placed to explore the North Devon area.  Our farm newspaper will give you ideas of things to do and places to visit and explore.  Surf, cycle, wakeboard, kite-surf, fish or just relax… it’s completely up to you.