Our Family’s First Glamping Trip with Feather Down – Full REVIEW

Our First Glamping Experience at Feather Down – A Memorable Stay at Sunninglye Farm

We recently embarked on our very first glamping trip, and what an adventure it was! Glamping was a completely new experience for us, but we absolutely loved it. Feather Down offers several picturesque locations across the UK, and we chose to stay at Sunninglye Farm, located in Kent, near Tunbridge Wells.

Here’s all the essential information you need to know before booking your glamping stay at Sunninglye Farm:

Address: Sunninglye Farm, Kent, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9AG
Price: A 2-night stay in September starts from £252, but prices vary based on your travel dates, length of stay, and choice of lodge. We recommend checking their website to find the best rates.

Below, we’ll dive into everything Sunninglye Farm has to offer for a perfect glamping getaway!

Check-in and Check-out at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm

When planning your glamping stay at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm, note that check-in is available between 4 pm and 6 pm, while check-out is at 9 am. If you arrive after 9 pm, a £30 late arrival fee may apply, so it’s best to plan accordingly.

Our Glamping Experience at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm

Sunninglye Farm was the closest Feather Down location to us, just over an hour’s drive away – though traffic turned it into a two-hour journey. Unfortunately, we missed the entrance even with the directions from our confirmation email, so we recommend keeping an eye out for clearer signage. The area is also rich in wildlife, and we even had a deer dash across the road, which was a fun surprise for our little one!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Jo, who directed us to the car park. Glamping here means you won’t be parking directly next to your lodge. Instead, we used wheelbarrows to transport our luggage, which added to the rustic charm of the experience.

A word of advice: there’s plenty of animal activity around the farm (my daughter found the animal poop fascinating!), so bring along some wellies or sturdy shoes to avoid any mess.

As for the accommodation, it was quite different from our usual holiday stays, but we immediately fell in love with the cosy, rustic feel of the lodge. It was our home away from home for the next three days.

Lodge Amenities at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm

While some Feather Down lodges come with en-suite bathrooms, ours did not. This meant we used the communal showers, which were just a short walk away. The showers were clean and well-maintained, so we had no complaints. However, our lodge did have its own toilet, which was definitely convenient!

What’s Inside the Lodge?

Our lodge was well-equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable glamping experience. Here’s what we found inside:

Kitchen unit with cold running water
Cool chest to store food and drinks
Three separate sleeping areas:
1 double bed
1 bunk bed
1 cupboard bed (suitable for 2 children or 1 adult and 1 child)
Dining table with chairs
Sofa for relaxing
Wood-fired stove for cooking and heating
Bedlinen provided
A starter pack with candles, kitchen linen, and a daily crate of firewood for cooking and heating
Picnic table for outdoor dining
2 deck chairs for lounging
Barbecue for those who love outdoor cooking
These thoughtful amenities made our stay both comfortable and enjoyable, blending the beauty of the outdoors with a touch of rustic charm.

Additional Charges and On-Site Facilities at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm

Before booking your stay at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm, it’s good to be aware of the additional charges that may apply:

Child’s Cot: £8 each
Child’s High Chair: £6 each
Pets: £5.50 per night, per accommodation
As for food, you’ll need to be ready to cook your own meals during your stay. If you’re not used to cooking, this might be the perfect time to learn! The lodge includes a wood-fired stove for cooking, and if you prefer something quicker, there is a microwave on-site. You can bring ready-made meals and store them in the shared communal fridge. However, be mindful of the space, as it’s shared with other guests.

Additionally, the farm features an on-site honesty shop stocked with essentials. The shop operates on a trust basis—you simply note your purchases on a form and settle the bill at the end of your stay.

What to Pack for Your Feather Down Glamping Trip

To make the most of your stay at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm, here are a few essentials you’ll want to bring with you:

Portable charger: There’s no electricity in the lodge, but you can charge your phone and devices in the communal area.
Bug spray: If you’re not a fan of bugs, be sure to pack some repellent to stay comfortable.
Loo roll: It’s always handy to bring your own supply.
Matches: Useful for lighting the wood-fired stove or candles.
Torches: Essential for getting around at night.
Warm clothes: Even during the warmer months, nights can get chilly.
Hot water bottle: Perfect for staying cosy in the colder weather.
Towels: These aren’t provided, so pack your own.
Waterproof clothes: Always good to have in case of rain.
Wellies: A must for navigating the muddy farm terrain, especially after rain.

We were fortunate to meet Jo and Jill Miles, the friendly owners who run Sunninglye Farm. Jill even took us on a farm walk on our second day, showing us the scenic pond and providing insight into the various activities available on the farm, which I’ll detail next.

Activities at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm

There are plenty of activities at Feather Down Sunninglye Farm to keep both kids and adults entertained:

Children’s Playground: While small, the playground offers plenty of fun for young adventurers. Plus, there are tyre swings scattered around the farm, adding to the excitement.

Campfire: One of the highlights of our stay was creating our own campfire, where we watched the sunset and roasted marshmallows. It’s a must-do experience for glamping!

Build Your Own Raft on the Pond: For £26 per family, you’ll receive materials, paddles, and life jackets to build a raft on the pond. For those not keen on building, you can enjoy the boats at the pond free of charge.

Crayfish Fishing: This was one of our favourite farm activities! Armed with bacon, string, and long sticks, we managed to catch plenty of crayfish—a fun and unique experience for the whole family.

Pony Pampering: For £15 per person, kids can spend an hour with the ponies, grooming them, mucking out stables, and learning basic stable management under the guidance of an experienced adult.

Animal Encounters: The farm is home to a variety of animals, including pigs, sheep, horses, and a donkey. We even had the chance to feed the animals, which was an absolute highlight for our daughter.

During our stay, we were lucky to meet other families with children around the same age as little miss, and she quickly made new friends—adding to the fun and making the experience even more memorable!

What’s nearby

Ashdown Forrest – a 15-minute drive from the farm. It’s home to real-life places from the Winnie The Pooh books. More info can be found here.

Groombridge – an 18-minute drive from the farm. We didn’t get the chance to go, but I’ve heard the children’s playground is gorgeous! More info can be found here.

Tesco superstore – a 13-minute drive from the farm. Good if you can’t find everything you need in the Honest Shop.

Sainsbury’s – a 15-minute drive from the farm.

Things to do in Kent

More ideas can be found at www.visitkent.co.uk/thingstodo

If you’re planning to stay for 3 nights, like we did, you’ll find that there’s more than enough to keep you entertained right on the farm. From campfires and crayfish fishing to exploring the playground and interacting with the farm animals, the range of activities means you probably won’t need to venture off-site for additional entertainment. Feather Down Sunninglye Farm offers the perfect balance of relaxation and fun for the whole family, making it a fantastic glamping destination.

Would We Go Glamping Again?

Surprisingly, my answer is yes! I’m not typically a camper—bugs aren’t my favourite, and I usually prefer the comfort of a hotel. But our Feather Down glamping experience at Sunninglye Farm was such a blast that I would definitely do it again. It was refreshing to switch off from the world, embrace nature, and enjoy some quality family time. In fact, we’re thinking of making glamping a yearly tradition! The entire experience was lovely, and I truly have no complaints. If you’re considering glamping for the first time, I highly recommend giving Feather Down a try.