Little Oakhurst Luxury Glamping

Situated on a working farm, Little Oakhurst Luxury Glamping founder Joanne Collinge set up her site to offer guests an entirely different pace of life. Attracting visitors from a range of different professional fields and backgrounds, the glamping site provides fresh air by the lungful and a lot to see and do. Especially for those who enjoy wearing wellington boots!

Joanne explains that she left teaching in 2018 after 21 years of working in a classroom after she decided to help her husband Andy on the farm. She convinced him to give her two acres of land that he considered to be of little value to his cows and her idea for a glamping site was born.

Little Oakhurst opened in June 2019 with the aim of providing a luxury holiday where people could just turn up without packing in the kitchen sink. A plug-and-play approach to relaxing and kicking back. Based on what Joanne would consider to be her perfect break, she’s ensured that the yurts have everything that’s needed for a good trip.

STAYING ON A WORKING FARM One thing that was already available in abundance was the atmosphere of the place. Little Oakhurst is situated on a working farm and guests are close enough to the action to get some very interesting sights. Joanne explains that after twenty-one years of working in a classroom it took some time to get used to a much slower and more conscientious pace of life. Even if she still finds herself running after animals.

“Did you know that glamping and farming often clash,” she observes, “Cow muck seems to get everywhere and not to mention that cows are an untidy lot! However, our constant chaos seemed to be what the glampers enjoyed seeing the most while sitting in their deckchairs watching us bring the cows in at milking time.”

This soon became one of the main attractions and now they like to show glampers their farm. An experience which she describes as being “Muck and all”. Here guests can see what day-to-day life is like for Joanne and Andy. Including watching them milk the cows and feed the calves, or giving them a stick and then trudging across the fields to get the cows in.

The farm’s inner workings are fascinating, and Joanne explains that many guests feel like they are back at school. Most people enjoy the chance to be close to animals but only a few get the chance to see how intelligent and personable cows are. Farmer Andy, as Joanne calls him, is also a great communicator and is as entertaining as he is educational.

“Guests love his mannerisms,” she says, “And the fact he always has a tale to tell or a relatable story to get a laugh.”

STAFFING Joanne explains that they have recently taken on their first employee. Lucy, their daughter, who helps every day with the changeovers, the running of the business as well as the maintaining of their high standard of cleanliness and sterilization. They also have Nana (Andy’s mum) spearheading the cakes and scones making department, which are a great treat for glampers. ACCOMMODATION On site there are two yurts that sleep four people each. In each yurt there is one double bed and two single futons. There is an outdoor kitchen, firepit, luxury shepherd hut bathroom facilities and one which has a roll top bath. There is also a shepherd’s hut that sleep two.

Wood fired hot tubs and all of the units have panoramic views across the Ribble Valley and Pendle Hill, which is famous for its witches and brings an epic sense of history to the location.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Wellies/gumboots are needed as this is a real working farm. With real cows. They are also on the famous Tolkiens walk, a very popular circular walk with a pub halfway around so bring some walking boots.

PRICE/NIGHT: Yurts £130, Shepherds hut £150- it gets cheaper the longer you stay.

COMPANY ADDRESS: Overhacking Farm

TELEPHONE: 07908614736

EMAIL: overhackingfarm@googlemail.com

WEBSITE: www.littleoakhurst.com

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