Uppergate Farm Blog
October 2024
Pool - pure joy !! The pool water is now up to its warm autumn/ winter temperature of 31.5 degree C. for all ages to enjoy
The Deanwood Safari Tent - is up and running and starting to get busy - we've already had some excellent feedback from happy guests
See our Guest reviews and Canopy & Stars
Late bookings and Christmas availability - Grove Farm Cottage presently has availability for Christmas and New Year
There are good discounts for last minute stays and for short breaks in all of our properties. Click on 'book now' for the latest offers or email us directly for a quote.
Uppergate Farmhouse Apartment - is back up and running. Revamped and now with a kitchen/diner/ sitting area downstairs and the ensuite bedroom above. It is suitable for couples (and with an infant) in a cot and now we can take one small dog!!
July 2024
Summer 2024 Update!!!
Deanwood Safari Tent is now finished
Early photos with more to follow
Bookings are now being taken for stays this summer. Click on book now for prices and availability; email us at info@uppergatefarm.co.uk for further information or queries.
May 2024
Springing into Life
One of our bantam hens is now the proud mum of 5 young chicks
The village playgroup children hatched these ducklings, brought them to us and we're now getting them used, step by step, to their new lives on the farm
Mabel our large black sow will be farrowing any day now
how many piglets arrive we wait to see!
"Ducks to water" visitor on our new pond
Spring is here and we have plenty of good new. Spring means lamb feeding time
The Deanwood Safari Tent is well underway and we are now taking bookings from 26th July this year
We’re pleased to announce that we have achieved 4 star gold and 5 star gold awards across all of our holiday properties
Trip Advisor -https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g118208...
Google Reviews: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Uppergate+Farm
Our outdoor freshwater swimming pond is presently being landscaped, plus a log fired sauna will be built with a small jetty to get in. Watch this space !!
Klavs has done a short drone view of the farm, pool, playground – enjoy!!
February 2024
Construction on the new 'Deanwood Safari Tent' - is well underway and we hope to have it ready for bookings by May 2024. Watch this space !!
New Years Day Walk
Every New Years Day we have between 30 and 40 friends and family who set off from the farm for a long walk around the hills (very last of the Summer Wine!!)- with plenty of refreshment stops. The view is from up the hill overlooking our lovely village of Hepworth.
Lamb feeding time
This year will be at the end of March/early April.
Snowy scene
A painting of Uppergate Barn by Alison from last winter, The snow comes now and then but these days it doesn't stay long!
Trip Advisor
We are sharing another rave review with everyone !!. Read our reviews at Trip Advisor
Good news
We still have 6 local places that you can walk to for a drink and refreshments – check them out
The Butchers Arms a 5 minute walk See pictures below
The White Horse Inn a 10- 15 minute walk
The Red Lion Inn a 10 -15 minute walk
Brooklands Nurseries a 20 – 30 minute walk
The Olive Tree Bistro Cafe a 20 – 30 minute walk
The Boshaw Trout – a 30 minute walk
September 2023
Fire risk assessment and action plan
All holiday cottages, air bnbs etc have to have a fire risk assessment and action plan, by law, by 1st October 2023. Click here to view ours
A big thank you
From everyone at Uppergate Farm - a big thank you to all our holiday guests who have stayed with us over the past few months and for your support and overwhelmingly positive feedback. We have enjoyed hosting so many happy holiday makers who are just glad to be able to share time and fun with friends and family.
Our wild water pond is coming along and in early September guests can be seen enjoying the water. Landscaping will take place over the winter, a log fired sauna is to be added along with a little jetty to jump off.
We do still have some availability left for the remainder this year and 2024 is already beginning to fill up - click on ‘book now’ to check what is left. Glamping along with family farm holidays are proving more popular than ever. We do have special offers, particularly late availability and returning guest discounts - check them out
The Deanwood Luxury Safari tent will be up and running from Easter 2024 - see previous blogs
And.... we are pleased to announce that Bray Cottage (4 bedrooms, sleeps up to 8) is now a dog friendly cottage with a large enclosed garden
A quick update about things at Uppergate Farm
We're busy this summer, however there are still a handful of dates available later on - check out 'book now' and our 'special offers'
The wildlife pond is filling up and we are really looking forward to seeing what birds, plants, reptiles, insects and animals start to make it their home. We want to share it with all of our guests and visitors. Wild water swimming may be an option too!!
Watch this space as the demand for our glamping offer grows, plans are well underway to put up another glamping unit in our woodland- The Deanwood Luxury Safari Tent, which will be up and operational from Easter 2024
Given the cost of living crisis and energy price rises, to help share cost of our holidays we've relaxed slightly the number of adults who can stay in our larger properties- it is now up to 6 adults in Bray Cottage and up to 8 adults in Uppergate Barn.
At present we have Bluebell and her small herd eating off the grass after we cut the fields for hay. Blondie and Ginger keep thriving in various parts of our woodland, as do the new Large Black special breed pigs. The new hens are starting to lay, and we've just hatched some bantam chicks. The 5 lambs that many guests bottle fed are rapidly filling out and becoming sheep!!
Good news that all our local, walkable pubs, restaurants and cafe are open and thriving - scroll through previous blogs for more details
Visitor Photos
January 2023
Happy New Year to all.
We're really pleased that Visit England (The National Tourist Board who annually assess the quality of all holiday accommodation) continue to grade us at 4 stars and 5 stars, with gold awards for excellence.
Watch this space as the demand for our glamping offer grow, plans are well underway to put up another glamping unit - The Deanwood Luxury Safari Tent, which hopefully will be operational from May,
Given the cost of living crisis and energy price rises, to help share cost of our holidays we've relaxed slightly the number of adults who can stay in our larger properties- it is now up to 6 adults in Bray Cottage and up to 8 adults in Uppergate Barn
Blondie and Ginger continue to enjoy their new home at Uppergate Farm
A lovely winters day view over the farm and hills. Lambs will be born in early April and bottle feeding will commence !!
We are presently building a new log store along with a 'woodland and farm well being centre' - again, watch this space!!
Autumn 2022
Autumn is lovely time at Uppergate Farm, the Cottages, Farm, Yurts and Shepherds Hut are quieter and prices reduce somewhat. As always you will find all of our offers, prices and availability by clicking on book now on the website. We are of course taking booking for 2023 and the prime dates go quickly.
Below are a variety of photos taken on sunny September day
We have added another 48 solar panels to our existing 30. An additional 18kw on the pool roof, which combined with the recently announced cap on energy prices means that we can keep the pool water at a lovely 31 degrees centigrade - enjoy.
Spring 2022
Below we attach a variety pictures of 'Spring' at Uppergate Farm. Lamb feeding; pigs in the wood; Buster the micro pig !!; calves ready to be turned out into the fields in early May; trees coming into leaf on the way up to the Yurts and to the Shepherds Hut; bluebells in the surrounding woodland; daffodils in full bloom; Philip the pheasant. A joy!!
We are really pleased that our guests continue to enjoy themselves when staying with us (many return year after year) and we continue to get really good feedback - please check out the follow links: Trip Advisor - Google
February 2022
We are really pleased to have been featured in the February 2022 Bulletin of The International Travel Writers Alliance. Click on link below
The Alliance Bulletin February 2022
We have had a very busy start to the New Year and fortunately the weather has been reasonably kind - just a couple of snowy weekends and lots of wind!!
New pigs on the farm - Petal, Rosie and Percy are exploring their new temporary home - all 3 will soon be out in the fields and woods when the weather improves. Regular guests will be pleased to know that 'Buster' our resident pet pig is still going strong!!
'Mothers to be' enjoying the fields before lambing in early April. New calves are on their way soon as well.
One year on since we planted (with fantastic help from village community and friends) almost 3,000 native trees alongside our existing woodland. One of this year's 're-wilding' projects includes the building of a large wildlife pond at the side of the wood.
December 2021
A Happy Christmas to all our guests and readers and let’s all hope that 2022 is a year to remember – for all the best reasons!! Hepworth is a lovely place to be at any time of the year but especially so at Christmas with lights, brass bands, festive cheer and carol services.
The end of November brought a snowy weekend and some of our glamping couples made the most of it!!
A kind guest crocheted some Christmas decorations during a recent stay in Grove Farm Cottage
Bookings are flowing in for 2022 – prices and availability can be seen on book now.
More good news: we now have 6 local places that you can walk to for a drink and refreshments – check them out
The Butchers Arms a 5 minute walk See pictures below
The White Horse Inn a 10- 15 minute walk
The Red Lion Inn a 10 -15 minute walk
Brooklands Nurseries a 20 – 30 minute walk
The Olive Tree Bistro Cafe a 20 – 30 minute walk
The Boshaw Trout – a 30 minute walk
Plus on the things to do section you will find a whole host of suggested places to visit. Two families who stayed with us in October listed where they had been: on the farm – egg collecting and animal feeding, in the pool and the play shed. Off the farm: Cliffe House play area and nature trails; Holly Hagg Alpacas; Endcliffe Park Sheffield; Lotherton Hall; Wentworth Hall, gardens and castle; The Emergency Service Museum, The Butchers Arms; Ye Olde Mustard Pot; Ribble Cafe; Scholes Chippy; Bella Pizza; Blacker Hall Farm Shop; Yorkshire Wildlife Park; The National Coal Mining Museum, Kirklees Light Steam Railway.
Busy people!! But of course many guests stay on the farm and enjoy the woodland, fields and village walks on the doorstep. It’s your choice.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Well – what a year so far with all its ups and downs! Hopefully you have come through it ok.
From everyone at Uppergate Farm - a big thank you to all our holiday guests who have stayed with us over the past few months and for your support and overwhelmingly positive feedback. We have enjoyed hosting so many happy holiday makers who are just glad to be able to share time and fun with friends and family.
It seems that the pool rotas for private swims and for the animal feeding / egg collecting have been much appreciated and we will continue doing this for the foreseeable future. It does involve a bit of pre- planning but given what guests have said – it works well!!
We do still have some availability left this year and 2022 is already beginning to fill up - click on ‘book now’ to check what is left. Glamping along with family farm holidays are proving more popular than ever.
The Beechwood Shepherds Hut (new pictures coming soon!) and our 2 latest cottage additions – Grove Farm (the one pet friendly cottage) and Shaw Cottage continue to be busy.
Just after lockdown relaxed in April 2021 and we were allowed to take small numbers of holiday guests again a lovely family from Leeds posted on YouTube a full version of their stay on the farm in Uppergate Barn. A big thank you to them. Enjoy !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn45QxFX-hE
JANUARY 2021 - Happy New Year !!!
I think we will all be glad to see the back of 2020 and let's hope that the current lock-down can end soon so that everyone can get back to planning great holiday stays!!
We have a 'Covid Refund Guarantee' in place - hopefully it won't be needed but if you have to cancel due to future Government travel restrictions (that are Covid related) we will refund in full. See our latest terms and conditions.
On 'book now you will find all of our latest availability and prices for 2021 and (soon to be added) 2022 details.
Our new luxury 'Beechwood Shepherds Hut' with private hot-tub will be available to book from 1st March
An early morning delivery of our fantastic new Shepherds Hut
Decking and hot-tub will soon be in place
New Shepherds Hut in Snowy January
Happy days in the pool
'Glamping in the snow and sunshine
November 2020 Update
Everyone here at Uppergate Farm is hoping that you are keeping safe and positive during this current lock-down period.
Sadly our cottages, yurts and the apartment will have to close until the 2nd December when, hopefully, we can fully re-open.
On a positive note, our Beech Wood Shepherd Hut continues to develop - the sides and roof are now on and we expect it will be ready to book and in place in our lovely woodland early in the New Year!!
Uppergate Farm has never missed having a bonfire on the 5th November and this year was no exception, however we did miss our many guests who, due to lock-down, were unable to join the family this year.
September 2020 update
We're pleased to say that things are getting very much back to normal here at Uppergate Farm. Our staff have risen to the new logistical challenges admirably, the Cottages and Yurts are busy and our new cleaning, disinfecting and pool/ animal feeding rotas seem to be working well.
Another 2 bedroom cottage; Shaw Cottage is now available to book. The cottage (pictured) is situated on the track to our Farm; it has 2 bedrooms, an ensuite double bedroom, a twin bedroom plus a shower room/wc. Downstairs there is large lounge and a size-able dining room/ kitchen. Outside there is parking for 2 cars and an enclosed patio area. Sleeps 4 plus a cot. Guests will have full use of all of Uppergate Farm's facilities - the pool, play areas, animal feeding etc.
Summer 2020
Hooray!! We are re-opening on July 4th for holiday stays. We have thoroughly revised our already rigorous cleaning, disinfecting and changeover standards and procedures for the cottage, yurts, pool and play areas. There will be a minimum of 30 hours between guest departures and arrivals; the pool will be run on a one cottage at a time basis, similarly with the play areas and animal feeding. Hot-tubs will be disinfected and the water changed between stays. We've achieved the 'We're good to go' standards for COVID 19 safe management procedures, approved by Visit England (tourist board)
All of our local pubs and restaurants are also re-opening (in a safe way ) from 4th July and hopefully many more nearby attractions will open their doors as the summer progresses.
Bookings placed after 1st August 2020 will have cancellation protection cover under 'Mastercancel' so if you have to cancel for whatever reason between 60 days and 2 days of your stay you will be covered and refunded. We have been in contact with guests who have already booked and thank them very much for their support.
Picture of Alison and the pigs enjoying freedom and sunshine!
Exciting news
In the Autumn we will have another top quality glamping experience on offer. A Shepherd's Hut - similar to the one pictured but in our woodland, with decking, log stove, bbq and hot-tub will be ready to book. Watch this space!
Spring 2020 at Uppergate Farm
These are very difficult, indeed unprecedented times and as with all similar businesses we are closed until the restrictions begin to lift. We are so sorry not to be able to welcome our Easter and Spring guests and visitors. Even the village pub had just re-opened! The only good news is that the vast majority of those who were (or are) due to stay in this close down period have re-booked for later this year or into 2021.
Whatever our worries it's still springtime on the farm - Otis and Orville our new lambs, Winnie and Gertie the calves, 30 new lay hens
Seasons Greetings and Happy 2020!
We hope you have all had a very merry Christmas and a good start to the New Year. We had a fantastic time here in Hepworth, the holiday cottages and farm looked very festive in their Christmas trimming and we had lots of lovely families joining us over the last few weeks.
Our local pub The Butchers Arms re-opened just in time for Christmas and New Year and will continue to stay open during their renovations, although not yet serving food (check here for updates and other places to eat in the area).
We celebrated the close of 2019 in the front of the pub with a round of Auld Lang Syne and a few fireworks, followed by our annual New Years Day walk- nothing like a march up on down the hills to blow out the cobwebs and start the new year the right way!!
We have big plans for 2020- developing our woodland areas, making them more accessible to our guests as well as offering bespoke woodland activities for all ages which might include woodland bathing and meditation, bushcraft, outdoor banquets among other things as well as doubling down on our efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible. If this sounds like your sort of thing then get in touch either by email or facebook.
November 2019- Grove Farm Cottage is now a pet friendly cottage!
Grove Farm Cottage is back!! and is now a dog/ pet friendly cottage, available to book from the 1st March 2020. We can now take one well behaved dog in this Grove Farm Cottage only click here for more information.
Autumn 2019
New arrivals – Donald now has 4 new Indian Runner ducks to play with – 2 ferns and 2 trouts.
Mabel also has company and has been joined by ‘Shelia Chamois’ and ‘Freda Frizzle ‘– also types of Polish bantam.
We now have an Instagram page with more pictures of the farm and developments.
Look out in Spring 2020 for our new schedule of woodland walks, foraging excursions and Tepee ‘feasts'.
Pubs to walk to – the Red Lion In and White Horse Inn are both a 10 -12 minute walk away. (See map)
In the run into Christmas and the New Year you can keep abreast of village events by clicking on www.hepworthvillagehall.org.uk. And nearby Holmfirth happenings on www.holmfirthevents.co.uk
As always we are fully geared up for babies and pre - school kids – the pool is heated to 32C, the cottages all have adjustable heating and everything necessary for small children.
Summer 2019 at Uppergate Farm
Summer is in full swing at Uppergate Farm, we have already had some amazing days as well as some dramatic weather, and are looking forward to welcoming more families on their summer holidays over the next month.
Our pigs are growing bigger by the day and are exploring more and more of their woodland. Billy and Rosie the cows have some extra company over the next few weeks as our neighbouring farmer has brought his young herd down to enjoy our fields.
More spring animal activity at Uppergate Farm
Millie and Molly the lambs continue to grow as they get to grips with the great outdoors!
New arrivals this Easter at Uppergate Farm
Give a big welcome to Molly and Milly our newest arrivals on the farm. They will need bottle feeding for the next month or so until they are big enough to go out in the field, even in this lovely weather we have been having they are still a bit too small and need to come in at night.
2019 at Uppergate Farm
The New Year is now here and all the cottages, the farmhouse apartment and Yurts are heated and ready for whatever weather the winter throws at us.
We have had some great publicity recently:
- No 1 for cottages with pools in 2019 (Guardian and Observer)
- An outstanding score of 9.7 from guest reviews (Booking.com)
- Britain's 'top glamping' sites for 2018 (The Times and the Yorkshire Post)
- Certificate of Excellence Awards for 5 years running (Trip Advisor)
- Top 10 farm holiday and places to stay (Sunday Times and the Guardian)
- 4 star and 5 star gold awards for all the properties ( Visit England - national tourist board)
- Superhosts (Air BnB)
- Outstanding guest reviews (Sykes Cottages, Premier Cottages and Canopy and Stars)
Time for relaxing at Uppergate Farm
Christmas is here at Uppergate Farm! All the animals are tucked away in their winter lodgings and we are finding some time to relax.
Fortunately for us, along with our own pool and sauna to warm the bones, we have not one but two holistic therapy and beauty salons here in Hepworth.
Just around the corner is Blue Buddha Therapy offering Reiki healing, Thai Foot Massage and Indian Head Massage among other holistic therapy techniques and a couple of minutes further down the road Country House Beauty offers a variety of beauty treatments and beauty therapy massage. Lucky us!
Butchers Arms update
The nearest pub to us - the Butchers Arms remains closed until new tenants are found, however don't despair as we have lots of other eating, drinking and refreshment options within a 20 minute walk - see this map.
Uppergate Farm Animal Feeding
Earlier this year one of our lovely holiday guests took this short clip of kids who were staying on the farm.
From our guestbook...
"Wonderful, relaxed time. Best holiday ever for the children. We were able to step from busy lives into a quiet haven, in a holiday home that far exceeded all our expectations..."
read more
Access statement for Uppergate Farm Self Catering Cottages, Pool and Yurts
Fire Risk Assessment: Uppergate Farm
Fire Risk Assessment: Bray Cottage
Fire Risk Assessment: Uppergate Barn
Fire Risk Assessment: Grove Cottage
Fire Risk Assessment: Rowan Yurt
Fire Risk Assessment: Maythorn Yurt
The Sunday Times
'best places to stay in 2015 and 2017'
The Guardian and The Observer
'No 1 UK farm holiday cottages with pools 2019'
Trip Advisor
'Certificate of Excellence' awards,
2015-2024 and Travellers' Choice Award 2020 -2024
Daily Express, Red Magazine,
BBC Countryfile
'top places for glamping with hot-tubs in Britain' 2017 - 2021'
The Times and the Yorkshire Post
'top glamping sites 2018, 2024
Airbnb Superhost and Guest Favourite 2018-2024
International Travel Writers
Alliance Bulletin
featured 2022
'Yorkshire Life'
selected family holidays 2022-23
Quality in Tourism
4 and 5 star gold awards 2024
