Fun for little ones, yummy food and a choice of fabulous accommodation makes Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight an all-round winner. At the same time, the family who own Tapnell Farm have created a sustainable success story on lots of levels which all add up to a great destination for families.
Back in 1970, Tapnell Farm would have been rocking to legends like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, overlooking the site of the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, but now there are only the sounds of the countryside and the squeals of happy kids. Maybe they’ve discovered the giant jumping pillow to bounce, slither and slide around, or perhaps the new farm park featuring, a giant chalkboard, climbing wall, soft play and farm animals. Children can collect eggs from the obliging hens and help the owners feed the lambs or have a go at archery, climbing, bushcraft, mountain boarding and zorbing thanks to the local Adventure Activities company who are based are Tapnell Farm. (Farm park and Activities are at an extra cost.)
There is a great choice of places to stay here too! How about glamping in a super swish safari tent or chilling in the Scandinavian luxury of an eco-log cabin? There are also two family holiday cottages at Tapnell Farm and a Manor House for up to 20 family and friends, which is perfect for a celebration occasion - especially with kid’s party packages available, which include catering from the onsite restaurant, The Cow Co. Worth noting that the whole farm can be hired for special occasions!
All the accommodation at Tapnell Farm offers every home from home comfort to flop and relax, with amazing views over the fields and towards the sea. Each one has been designed, finished and furnished to the highest spec and each has its own plus points to suit different families. The magnificent manor includes a games room and 10 bedrooms which are mostly ensuite, including a dedicated nursery, while Stockbridge cottage has a large garden with a climbing frame and The Dairymans has a hot tub for luxuriating under the stars. The log cabins are large and luxurious, and the safari tents really put the glam in glamping, with separate bedrooms, shower room and a living area with a woodburner.
When parents don’t feel like cooking, The Cow Co. provides a funky setting to tuck into homemade dishes, with beef and dairy the stars of the show, from juicy burgers and sumptuous steaks to lush ice creams and speciality cheeses. It’s ideal for a light bite and speciality coffee at lunchtime but also open on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner, and licensed to sell real ales and wines to help parents wind down. Within The Cow Co there is also a shop which sells all sorts of foodie goodies and unique gifts.
Accommodation Overview
Tapnell Farm offers a wide range of accommodation, comprising The Manor House for 20 people, two 4-bedroom holiday cottages for 8 people, luxury safari tents for up to 8 people and 3-bedroom log cabins for up to 10 people. Travel cots and highchairs are available for all the accommodation and the Manor has a dedicated nursery with a wooden cot.
Stockbridge Cottage (sleeps 8 plus a baby in a cot) is on the edge of Tapnell Farm, set in its own large garden with a play-frame. A hot tub can also be hired by arrangement for a cosy, soothing soak or glass of bubbly under the stars. The cottage has been renovated and furnished to a high standard to provide a comfy, cosy and relaxing home from home with two living rooms so parents and children can enjoy some time and space to themselves. The main living/dining room is open plan into the kitchen, which includes a large oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. The second, separate living room has comfy sofas and a real fire for snugly evenings watching TV or a DVD. The cottage has 4 double bedrooms, 1 on which is ensuite and there is also a family bathroom.
Tapnell Farm has a panoramic, rural setting on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by the pastures and meadows of a working farm and just 10 minutes drive from the coast. The nearest ferries from Lymington on the mainland also dock less than 10 minutes away, at the sailing hub of Yarmouth where there is also a good variety of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Besides the 360° views by day, the farm boasts ‘the best sunsets in the South’ and velvet black skies for gazing at the stars.
There are plenty of fun things for the children to do at Tapnell Farm, from the bouncy pillow, play barn, egg collecting and feeding the animals to a whole lot more through Adventure Activities Isle of Wight, based onsite. Beyond the farm, the chalk grasslands of Tapnell Down is a protected landscape, rich in wildlife and flora, then in no time at all, families can be unpacking a picnic on blue flag beaches, peering into rock pools and walking stunning coastal paths through the Tennyson Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Hamstead Heritage Coast. On the expanse of Compton Beach, dinosaur footprints can be seen in the rocks at low tide while there is safe swimming on sandy Colwell Bay and Totland Bay (10 mins) which has a great seafront cafe.
With the Isle of Wight being just 25 miles across by 13 miles wide, all the fun and fascinating places to visit are within very easy reach. The wacky wonderland of Blackgang Chine is a definite must for children, with its animatronic dinosaurs, nursery rhyme land and cowboy town among its highlights, plus a visit here gives free entry to its sister Adventure Park, Robyn Hill. Little monkeys won’t want to miss a visit to Monkey Haven and children can get up close with a host of other animals at Seaview Wildlife Encounters, including penguins, meerkats, alpacas and wallabies.
The Isle of Wight is famous as the favourite retreat of Queen Victoria and there is a full day of things to do at her palatial holiday home, Osborne House, from seeing the state rooms and private apartment to peeking into the Swiss play cottage, having an ice cream on her private beach and exploring the playgrounds and trails in the landscaped grounds. Another of the island’s claims to fame is its iconic music festival and Tapnell Farm overlooks the original site from 1970. The festival was revived in 2002 and still attracts the big name bands, but it now takes place just outside Newport, not on Tapnell Farm’s doorstep!
The owners of Tapnell Farm have a long list of pubs, cafes and restaurants that are highly recommended for great food, beautiful views and stunning sunsets. To name just a few, the Dandelion Cafe has one of the best views on the island, overlooking Freshwater Bay, The Waterfront at Totland Bay is perfect for a sundowner and The Hut at Colwell Bay is a fab beach restaurant.
Nearest medical services: GP/A&E at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport (10 miles).
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Check-in time: 17:00
Check-out time: 09:30
Reservation Deposit: 25%
Balance: 30 days prior to arrival
Check-in time: 17:00
Check-out time: 09:30
Reservation Deposit: 25%
Balance: 30 days prior to arrival
Unlet dates within 30 days are discounted by £20.00
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![]() | Southampton and Bournemouth and London is a 2.5hr drive. |
![]() | Lymington to Yarmouth, Portsmouth to Fishbourne. Both of these Wightlink- cheaper flat rate offered using our account. Southampton to East Cowes- Red funnel. Currently no discount for Red Funnel, but in the process of applying for one. |
![]() | Freshwater Bay- pebble/ shingle, 5 minute drive. Compton- black sand, 10 minute drive. Totland & Colwell, Sandy & pebble, 10 minute drive away. |
![]() | Restaurant and gift shop on site. Nearest Village Freshwater, Yarmouth, Colwell and Totland- all less than a 10 minute drive away. Local pubs and supermarkets are less than 10 minutes drive away. |
![]() | A fantastic Farm Park with soft play area, climbing wall, go-karts, chalk board, ride on tractor and cafe. Outside there is a huge jumping pillow and farm animals. There is a small charge for entry into the farm park. Adults are £7.95 or £5.00 off peak Children between 2 and 16 are £9.95 or £7.00 off peak. Under 2's are free. Guests staying at the farm have a 10% discount on these prices and the one off fee allows you entry for the duration of your stay. |
![]() | Professional babysitting can be arranged. |
![]() | Travel cots are available in all accommodations, guests are asked to provide cot bedding. Bed guards and wooden highchairs are also available and baby monitors are provided in the manor and cottages. There is also one available for the tents and cabins in the communal honesty shed. All properties have stairgates available when needed. |
![]() | Each cottages has toys and books and bath toys. |
![]() | Guests can arnage pre arrival shopping delivery and the owners can also provide meal packages- bbq pack, self catering pack, cheeseboard pack, these can be pre ordered. There are also a list of caterers that the owners can recommend and are regularly used in the manor. Takeaways are also available from the restaurant. |
![]() | The honesty shed has a selected of outside games guests can use and Stockbridge has a wooden climbing frame with slide. |
![]() | Restaurant on site- open for breakfast and lunch every day, then dinner on Friday and Saturday evening. Guests have a 10% discount The restaurant is licensed. |
![]() | Stairgates can be provided. |
![]() | Private garden with BBQ. |
![]() | Wi-Fi is provided. |
![]() | The farm is very big on the environment and being green! The estate has recycling in place. Log burning hot tubs, log fired ovens, edible hedgerows, biomass gas supply, solar panels, eco cleaning products, energy saving light bulbs, fresh ex battery hen eggs. |
![]() | Pets are welcome in the accommodation. The owners ask that they stay downstairs and off furniture and that guests clean up after them. They are not allowed in the restaurant or play barn, but are in all outside areas. |
![]() | Resident sheep and cows and chicken's provide daily eggs. |
![]() | A 2 mile drive are 2 courses- 18 hole professional course or 9 hole general course. |
![]() | Multiple travel cots can be provided. |