Aller farm, Stockland, Honiton, Devon.

The farm and surroundings

Aller farm is situated on the southern slopes of The Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The farm is approximately 6 miles from the 3 small market towns of Axminster (home to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall), Honiton (antiques) and Chard. Also just 12 miles from the World Heritage Site; the Jurassic Coast and home to the popular historic town of Lyme Regis and fossil hunters delight Charmouth.

The farm is only a 5 minute walk away from the picturesque village of Stockland, which enjoys a traditional public house, the Kings Arms, 14th century church and plenty of village amenities. The village boasts two Iron Age Camps with extensive banks andditches which can be viewed by one of the many local footpaths.Stockland, now in East Devon was in the County of Dorset. Saxon King Athelstan in 934 AD asked the village tosupply the timber for a church inMilton Abbas and therefore remained inDorset until 1844.

The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is Englands first natural World Heritage Site – it is known as The Jurassic Coast. It covers 95 miles of truly stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earths history. The story of the Dorset and East Devon coast begins 250 millions years ago. The rocks record the Mesozoic era – the ‘Middle Ages’ of life on earth – comprising the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of geological time.

Today the spectacular geology is beautifully exposed and accessible within the World Heritage Site.



The farming at Aller farm

The farm runs approx. 350acres of mixed cropping with the majority of grass, maize and corn. A restored orchard has a fabulous range of mixed apple trees, and in the late summer a great place to play hide and seek! The farm is in Defra’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme and has always tried to encourage wildlife as much as possible within its natural surroundings. We milk a herd of 150 Holstein Friesian dairy cows and during the summer months some may stop off next to the tents to say hello on their way past to graze! There are plenty of free range layinghens (always a fresh egg for breakfast), turkeys and roaming ducks. Aller farm has a year round breeding cycle, which means that the cows calve all year round; there are always lots of baby calves to enjoy!

Special at Aller farm

Because we always have lots of baby calves, we always keep one nearby the tents so the guests can help hand feed her breakfast and tea every day. Children love running up to say hello and stroking her nose as do the adults!

The Aller farm family

The Parris family farm was established in 1950 by our granddad. The farm now employs 2 generations, Nigel, Emma and boys George (3) and Isaac (1), with parents Keith and Monica.

Other members of the extended family are Meg (the collie sheepdog) and her daughter Tess, and Millie and her daughter Ashes (Springer Spaniels). The cats Tilly I & Tilly II and Smoothy, the farms favourite pet cow, always the first one to come and say hello over the fence.

Pets allowed

Pets are welcome, but please keep them under close control near livestock and other guests.

The location of the Feather Down tents

The tents are sited in the fields at Aller farm around patches of woodland overlooking the beautiful Devon meadows.

They are perfectly placed to enjoy views over beautiful countryside. The fields and the patches of woodland offer a lot of areas for 'childplay'.

Jurassic Coast

The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is England's first natural World Heritage Site - it is known as The Jurassic Coast. It covers 95 miles of trulystunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth's history. The story of the Dorset and East Devon Coast begins 250 million years ago. The rocks record the Mesozoic era - the ‘Middle Ages’ of life on Earth - comprising the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods of geological time. Today the spectacular geology is beautifully exposed and accessible within the World Heritage Site.

EXTRA IN 2010

• Slow Food - Farmers Soup or Stew from the Open Fire - £27.50 (soup) / £32.50 (stew)

Not only is it delicious but it’s also a great stress buster... Slooow Food at Feather Down is the real thing with real ingredients, great taste and unexpected flavours that you just couldn’t capture at home. You will receive all the ingredients, including fire wood, the recipe and cooking utensils to prepare a delicious Farmers Soup or Stew at your tent enough for four people.

• Smoke Barrel hire - £39.50

You will receive all the ingredients, including fire wood, the recipe, instructions and a smoke barrel, to smoke your own fish or chicken at your tent for four people.

This Slow food package is best pre-booked at reservation as availability is limited.

• Pre-ordered meals
In order to make your stay with us as relaxing and enjoyable as possible you can pre-order some supplies and order tasty, freshly home-cooked hot meals.

>> Click here to make a reservation at Aller farm.


Activities in the area of Aller farm:

>> Click here to make a reservation at Aller farm.