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Intake Farm

99%

· Alton, England

5 acres hosted by Maria H.

2 lodging sites · 5 tent sites

Private sites

100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Maria is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Quirky glamping and nearly wild camping on a farm in Staffordshire

The camping and glamping at Intake Farm has a fantastic location, just a ten-minute drive from the Peak District National Park and 20 minutes from Alton Towers. But, in spite of this, plenty of people who stay here say the biggest attraction is Intake Farm itself. Or should we be clearer and say: the residents of Intake Farm? Welcoming hosts David and Maria are likely to be the first you’ll meet – but it won’t be long until you get to know the others. They include cows, horses, and llamas, sheep, chicken, and ducks.

Twice a day, there’s the chance to help at feeding time. It makes this place especially popular with kids – but don’t let them have all the fun. Intake Farm is as good for adults as it is for children with year-round almost-wild camping in the woods and glamping accommodation that works as well for couples as it does for families.

The Greatest Showman, a 1950s’ circus wagon, and White Cloud, a colourfully-painted converted bus, both sit in their own private areas on the farm. Each offers accommodation for up to four that’s kitted out and warmed by a log burner; White Cloud is slightly more spacious. Both are off-grid like the site’s five camping pitches, which are tucked away in Wudu Woods. These have their own shared facilities nearby (compost loos, hot showers and an outdoor washing-up sink). Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits, which you can hire on site and logs are for sale alongside Intake Farm’s own bacon and eggs. If you’re glamping, the ingredients for a Staffordshire breakfast are part of the deal for day one.

Either way, we’d recommend it as a hearty local breakfast could fuel walking, climbing, and cycling adventures in the Peak District National Park, a day out at nearby Alton Towers or a visit to the Peak Wildlife Park. For something more sedate, there are country walks to nearby pubs, an RSPB reserve, and a heritage railway too; all of these within five miles. But whatever you decide to do, we predict you’ll be itching to get back for feeding time at Intake Farm.

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99%

36 ratings · 24 reviews

William M.recommends

May 7, 2024

Wudu Wood

Camping in the woods

Nice, well managed campsite, with friendly hosts. Good location to drive into the Peak District for walks. It was a nice change to camp in the woods, the showers were nice and warm and there was fresh drinking water. If you want a change from a big campsite with flat mown grass pitches, with a nice balance without having to wild camp.

Jane U.recommends

May 6, 2024

Wudu Wood

Magical stay in a unique setting

A stunning campsite with option to pitch in a beautiful wood or on the field. We have a big tent so the field was easier but we were able to cook a meal in the wood with a fire pit borrowed from the camp. Meeting and helping with the animals was a massive highlight. We got to cuddle baby goats and bottle feed calves. Maria and Dave were warm and funny and told us lots of interesting things about farming and animal care. The kids absolutely loved it. We took a stunning walk to the pub from the campsite, nice and short for little legs (my husband). All in all a magical stay.

Verity J.recommends

May 5, 2024

Wudu Wood

Great spot tucked away in the woodland. Maria was really helpful and a great host. Our daughter loved the animals

Brad M.recommends

April 24, 2024

Wudu Wood

We were given the choice between camping on a small quiet field next to a pasture of cows or in a patch of lovely woodland, and opted for the field so that we could watch the cows & calves while relaxing. We awoke in the morning to hear a chorus of different birds, including woodpeckers and pheasants. Maria and David at Intake farm were very friendly and we had the opportunity to help with feeding the animals and playing with their bouncy pygmy goats which was a highlight of our stay. There's a small shed on site stocked with their own duck and chicken eggs for sale as well as marshmallows, brownies, sweets and more. We bought some duck eggs which tasted amazing!

Arik R.recommends

April 21, 2024

Wudu Wood

Wow

Absolutly amazing! Beautiful site, amazing area with magic walks everywhere. Will definitely be coming here again!

Emilia B.recommends

April 7, 2024

Wudu Wood

Beautiful

Such a lovely place! The opportunity to camp on grassland, or take a little walk into the woodland and find an area. Responsive hosts. Was met as soon as we arrived, shown where to go, and was invited to help feed the animals on the far (especially the babies!) If I wanted to! - which I did! Such a wonderful experience Beautiful place, lovely hosts. Would definitely recommend 👌

Location

Alton, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Maria H.Joined in May 2022

From the host

We have unique and quirky glampsite consisting of a converted bus and a 1950’s showman’s wagon. We have nearly wild camping in the woods and a flat space for conventional camping. We are a quiet site, suitable for romance, family and pets. We are close to the Peak District and Alton Towers, have footpaths and RSPB sanctuary's close by

Nearby attractions

Helping to feed the farm animals at Intake Farm is a big attraction in itself and if you (or your kids) are animal lovers, there are more to meet at Peak Wildlife Park which is just four miles down the road. It’s four miles in the other direction to the woodland nature reserve, RSPB Coombes Valley and about the same to the edge of the Peak District National Park where the chances for outdoor adventure are plentiful. The area is particularly good for walking, cycling, caving and climbing. Head for The Roaches (12 miles) for a scenic walk on top of a rocky ridge that’s typical of the Peak District or head underground at Poole’s Cavern (17 miles), where a cave full of crystal stalactites is a popular tourist attraction. The thrills and spills of Alton Towers are just nine miles from site and the Trentham Estate with gardens, woodlands, treetop adventure and a calendar of events is about 15 miles away. The steam trains of the Churnet Valley Railway offer a more sedate ride and you can hop aboard at Froghall Station, three miles from site.

Food and drink

Intake Farm’s own local produce is perfect camping fodder with fresh farm eggs, bacon and sausages for breakfasts as well as burgers for cooking on the campfire – although the produce for sale can vary seasonally. The good news for glampers is that the ingredients for a cooked breakfast are included for the first morning of your stay and a continental breakfast is provided for the day after. It’s about half a mile from Intake Farm to the centre of Ipstones village where there's a small grocery shop for any additional supplies. The village is also where you will find the dog-friendly Marquis of Granby pub which serves good food Wednesday to Sunday and The Old Red Lion with its menu of pub grub and real ales. Other nearby pubs, which come recommended by your hosts, are the canalside Boat Inn, three miles from site in Cheddleton, and The Black Lion on the banks of the nearby River Churnet. It’s a cross-country walk of a couple of miles but the route along the roads is less direct; a circuitous seven miles.

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