A yurt camp in a woodland glade overlooking the hamlets in the folds of the Cotswold countryside...

The field kitchen on the sun deck makes the most of the woodland clearing in which Lillyhorn Yurt sits. Its secluded vantage point takes in the outstanding natural beauty of Westley Farm and overlooks the hamlet of Lillyhorn, from which it takes it name.
The glade contains not only the yurt itself, decked out with sheepskins and oriental rugs, but a firepit, BBQ, sink with running water and your own compost loo a little way off, with solar lights to help you find it at night. Up at the house is a barn for communal use which has more conventional cooking facilities, hot showers and flushing loos. Please try and leave the barn in a fit state for others and also, at the yurt itself, to use the big storage bin for muddy walking boots.
The walking boots are definitely an essential, with the rolling hills of the Cotswolds stretching out from the door of your yurt. If you don’t feel like a hike, there are courses and classes in all sorts of things including bushcraft and foraging available at the farm.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is 4pm
• Check out time is 10am
• Wifi is available at the farmhouse, not in the yurt itself
• Phone reception is ok at the yurt on most networks
• The nearest shop is the Chalford Community Stores (1.5 miles) while the small town of Minchinhampton (2 miles) has a very good range of shops
• The occasional glider may pass overhead, vying with the buzzards for a peek of you sunbathing

Sleeping arrangements

Kids & Pets

Cooking

• 2 ring gas burner in fully equipped field kitchen at the yurt
• The yurt has its decking terrace with lounge chairs which is perfect for dining in privacy and comfort
• Full kitchen available in the communal Old Barn kitchen
• Campfire & bbq (you might want to bring some extra coal)
• There is a ceramic cool jar for storing milk and such by the yurt and a fridge/freezer in the Old Barn

Washing

• All yurts have running water to their kitchen sink.
• At the yurt there’s a compost loo.
• Showers, a flushing loo and laundry facilities are up at the Old Barn, which guests share with the three other yurts

Heating, lighting & bedding

• All bedding & linen provided, including towels

Entertainment

• Book, jigsaws, cards and board games all available in the Old Barn kitchen

Getting there

By car

Coming to Westley Farm is very easy as they're just off the A419, halfway between Cirencester and Stroud. From the A417, follow signs to Cirencester (industrial area). Go round Cirencester ring road to A419 Stroud. Six miles out of Cirencester look for a lay-by on the right, opposite Aston Down gliding airfield. The next turning on the right is marked 'Westley Farm Holiday Cottages'.

By train and bus

Leave the car at home and arrange to be collected from Stroud or Kemble, the nearest train stations. There are National Express services to Cirencester and Stroud bus stops.

By glider

With a good wind, it would technically be possible to arrive by glider, landing at Aston Down, Cotswold Gliding Club. It would then be a half-mile walk to Sapperton Yurt. No one has arrived this way before, but a free organic hamper and a pat on the back to the first that does.

Eating & drinking

At Westley Farm

There's an abundance of local produce to be eaten while staying at Westley Farm. Stroud Farmers’ Market is a foodie paradise and even the local village shop does a fine line in local and seasonal delicacies and produce. The two Chalford donkeys Chester and Teddy take groceries up the steep narrow lanes from the village shop every Saturday morning - small children may get a ride if you see Anna, the donkey lady, going past! Don't forget the foraging opportunities too...probably best tried after the foraging course.

In Minchinhampton, there's an excellent local organic dairy which has a shop selling their own eggs, milk and cheese. Really good bread is also sold there from the best baker in Stroud. Minchinhampton also has a high quality butcher selling locally reared meats, and a vegetable shop.

Prince Charles lives nearby in Tetbury and has opened two shops there: one’s an organic vegetable shop.

You'll find details within the yurt of local places to eat and local food producers. You can even arrange for groceries to be delivered to the farm on the day of your arrival and a couple of local suppliers and restaurants will deliver too.

Pizza, picnic or the pub: If you’re feeling creative you can bake your own pizza in the adobe pizza oven on the terrace of the Old Barn. If you don’t fancy cooking head to our local, about a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute drive,The Crown, Frampton Mansell. Simply great food, local ales and roaring fires.

A sunny day isn't complete without a visit to Kiting & Winstone’s Ice Cream Factory on Minchinhampton Common (5 mins away) shared with cows and ponies (the Common, not your ice cream!). If you don’t have a kite just enjoy the views and delicious ice cream.

Pubs & restaurants

Ragged Cot, Minchinhampton (2 miles). A 17th Century former coaching inn that makes best use of local suppliers, expertly cooked.

Bell Inn, Sapperton (4 miles). Award winning gastro-pub with an innovative and seasonal menu.

Crown, Frampton Mansell (5 miles). Hege and Julian's absolute favourite. A 17th Century cider house with home cooked food and a roaring log fire.

Michelin-starred restaurants

Mix up your bohemian break with some seriously fine dining at one of these acclaimed local restaurants:

Whatley Manor Malmsbury, 35mins away, 2 Michelin stars. (01666 822 888)

Le Champignon Sauvage Cheltenham, 40mins away, 2 Michelin stars. (01242 573449)

Lords of the Manor Bourton on the Water, 45mins away, 1 Michelin star. (01451 820243)

No. 5 North Street Winchcombe, 50mins away, 1 Michelin star. (01242 604566)

Things to do

On the farm

The pictures pretty much say it all - walk in the woods, or lie in a meadow watching the clouds...you'll wonder how anyone can bear to leave.

Bird watching From your private woodland glade you may spot - and will certainly hear - woodpeckers, owls, buzzards, jays, kestrels, tree creepers or nightingales...so, eyes peeled!

Stargazing Low levels of light pollution mean if you're never seen the Milky Way, this may well be the night, if it's clear. Stay cosy inside and stargaze through the dome window in the roof of your yurt.

Walking Set off from the door of your yurt into the Golden Valley, down through the woods to the river (and maybe stumble upon a welcome pub, shop or café...) The closest villages are Chalford (1.5 miles), with a village shop and a café, and Frampton Mansell (1.5 miles), home to local pub The Crown and its great food. Laminated maps of the nearest routes and guides for local walks are provided, but serious walkers should bring their own OS maps if detail's desired.

Outdoors & active

Noah's Ark will deliver and pick up hired bikes to the farm, allowing you to explore the Cotswold lanes.

The more adventurous may take a flight in a glider - the club at Ashton Down is half a mile away and beginners' lessons start from £30.

Horse Riding Hyde Riding School is just down the road - give them a call to discuss your requirements on 01453 882413.

Whether you're lucky enough to be here on a hot summer's day or not, Cirencester outdoor pool is open all summer and is heated to take the edge off the British chill. Swim in natural spring water heated to an average 27°C (80°F). Located on the edge of Cirencester Park (7 mins away), the season runs from Saturday 19th May to Sunday 2nd Sept. A bargain too at £4 adults, £2 children.

You are landlocked in the Cotswolds but even that doesn't rule out water sports: fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing etc are all possible at the Cotswold Water Park, on lakes just 15 min away.

Places to visit

You can’t miss the picture postcard villages, but you might fancy Nailsworth & Tetbury for shopping - especially antiques - or Cheltenham & Bath for some Regency splendour. Westonbirt Arboretum would be a good place to wind down.

For fans of fine houses, historical curiosities and graceful gardens, there are seven National Trust properties within a 15mile radius of Westley Farm, including a Roman villa. Stroud’s Museum in the Park has some interesting prehistoric and post-Middle Ages stuff and a good local geology room. Cirencester’s Corinium Museum (mainly Roman of course) is worth a trip, as is Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe. Northleach’s Museum of Mechanical Music is small, odd and charming in equal measures.

Gifford's Circus is an amazing touring circus. Small and charming in the way a circus should be. It stops at Minchinhampton (almost) every year. So if the circus is in town, make sure you go. This year, it's starting in Gloucester on May 17th 2012 then other nearby venues until Minchinhampton (5mins away) on 9th August 2012 until 21st and Cirencester (10 mins away) on 6th September until 16th.

Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetland Centre is on the River Severn and unmissable for birdwatchers.

Uley Bury (an Iron Age hillfort) is just a short drive away near Hetty Pegler’s Tump (a Neolithic long barrow) and at the bottom of the hill, there’s a brewery (oh joy!) run by a local character. His beer is also sold in the village pub.

While you’re in Uley, why not go to the beautiful Owlpen Manor - Vita Sackville-West’s favourite place – for tea and cake after mooching round the house. The village of Uley lies in a sort of bowl surrounded by oddly shaped hills and ridges.

Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Victorian high gothic house in a wooded valley with lakes. As all good gothic mansions should, it has a resident population of horseshoe bats. There are guided tours, or you can explore by yourself. Afterwards, go to Giuseppe’s Italian restaurant at the Nympsfield Gliding Club. Giuseppe serves genuine Italian food with great character in the gliding club’s no-frills canteen. He also sells olive oil, fresh parmesan and other Italian treats.

Dunt Valley between Westley Farm and Cirencester is a great place to walk. It's a very different shape to Golden Valley, home of Sapperton Yurt, and has five late Saxon/early Norman churches all within 5 miles of each other. Then pop back to the Golden Valley village of Miserden for lunch at the pub. After lunch visit the Miserden Estate nursery which has very good prices for high quality plants. The house and gardens are occasionally open to the public.

Minchinhampton Common is an area of land managed by the National Trust but grazed by all with commoners’ rights. Not only does it have great views of the valleys either side, and valuable flora and butterflies, and three pubs all with excellent food, it also has an ice cream factory! Absolutely delicious, but watch out for curious cows - because it’s a common, cows roam around freely; on the grass, on the road, right next to you as you lick your ice cream.

Festivals & events

Westley Farm Open Weekend falls in early May. Last year's event included falconry and ferreting displays, heavy horses working in the woods, local cider producers with ample opportunities to sample some tasty ciders, local artists exhibiting their work and a solar powered gig ‘Wandering Ska’. Next year's weekend will surely be even better, hopefully with the return of the festival food tent, and many other surprises.

Cheltenham, the home of festivals, regularly attracts visitors from across the country for one reason or another. These dates belong in your diary if you have a passion for jazz,( 2-7 May 2012) science, (12-17 June) music, (4-15 July) or literature (5-14 October).

Badminton Horse Trials: 3-7th May 2012. (15 mins away)

Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park: 13-15th July 2012. (5 mins away)

Apple Pressing Day will be in late October. The communal hydraulic press draws in neighbours and friends for a day of washing, mashing and pressing. Inevitably some (much) cider is tasted and then a song or two follows…

Courses & classes

Courses & classes

Spring foraging weekend - On this course, you'll identify and gather some seasonal, edible and tasty examples of the local flora and look at different ways to prepare and cook them. By the end of the weekend you will have enough knowledge to sample and harvest a variety of plants on your own days out in the countryside.

Owl Prowls with TV's Chris Sperring - Chris Sperring MBE is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, as well as an experienced Naturalist and Broadcaster. Take an evening walk through the farm with Chris as he identifies the local owls and describes their habits and habitats. Small groups only so book early!

Awakening the spark – Basic bushcraft course focusing on fire by friction, making bowls using fire, spoon carving, shelter building and tracking with Chris Holland. This course opens the doorway to the world of bushcraft, introducing the basic skills necessary to feel at home in the great outdoors. The final course content is subject to the interests of the group but is likely to include most of the following: fire-making and management including fire-by-friction, improvised shelters, wild edible and medicinal plants and simple campfire cookery.

Ask Blue for details of courses available during your stay.

Also local experts on butterflies, bee keeping, moths and more are all available to give guided walks and talks.

Meet your hosts

Westley Farm is an inspiring place. A hive of activity, from farming to making yurts to running many courses. Julian and Hege ownthe farm and run the courses, whilst Blue and Graham take good care of the yurts and their guests. All four follow a green and sustainable approach to all that they do. Julian uses no artificial fertilisers or pesticides on the farm and limits the use of weed control to spot treatment when unavoidable. The varied habitats of traditional hay meadows, ancient woodland, regenerating coppice and species-rich limestone grassland on the farm have ensured Westley's acceptance onto the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. With the help of a few local friends, Hege, an archaeologist, runs some fascinating courses including bushcraft and foraging. Other courses can be arranged too, from pottery to painting, so just ask and see what's available.

Blue and Graham started making yurts about 7 years ago and have been living in one ever since. They love their craft and it's there to be seen in all the yurts at Westley Farm. The little details make a massive difference and they've both got that canny knack of knowing how to make things creatively and cleverly.

Environmental policy

Westley Farm is committed to sustainable tourism and you'll see many examples of this during your stay. In the farmhouse they've installed solar water heating for keeping up with all the summer linen washing. As part of their efforts to reduce the impact of the business on the environment, they also offer full recycling facilities to their guests and are investigating the possibilities of providing their own electricity from a wind turbine.

Here are just a few of the many things they're doing to reduce their carbon footprint and make your stay as green as possible...

Sapperton Yurt has its own recycling and composting bin.

Ask Blue before your stay about their free pick-ups to and from the local train station. There are details of local walks and maps you can borrow. A local cycle hire company can deliver bikes to the farm for you to use during your stay.

Cleaning is environmentally friendly too, using products such as Ecover.

Much of the farm is under Higher Level Stewardship Scheme which means they encourage wildlife and protect and enhance

habitats for rare and endangered species.

Wildlife

Westley is teeming with wildlife and part of the charm of staying at Sapperton is simply walking around the fields and forest.

Julian and Hege are doing their best to encourage the Marsh Fritillary butterfly to breed here with the help of Natural England. Though not overly impressive to look at, its success here is important as it only breeds on one other site in Gloucestershire, which happens to be nearby. As part of their Higher Level Stewardship, they commissioned a professional survey of their flora and fauna and discovered, among other things, that they have dormice in the woods. Rabbits are everywhere and the scrub is a refuge for many small mammals, beetles and plenty of nectar for bees and butterflies. You are bound to see deer, buzzards, hawks and bats, and hear the hoot of owls and the bark of foxes. In summer, orchids thrive in the wildflower meadow.

B&B 

There are five self-catering cottages and three other yurts at Westley Farm, so you can come as a group or with friends.

All of the yurts have their own private clearings and are on the other side of the farm to Sapperton Yurt. They do all share use of the Old Barn back at the farm. This is a fully equipped kitchen, with washing machine, tumble dryer, drying rack, flush loo and showers. It also has maps and local information leaflets as well as books and games to borrow. There's an outdoor washing line in the vegetable garden. Sapperton has its own bathroom facilities within its clearing so you don't actually need to leave your little woodland area.