Another fantastic holiday at Coombe Mill
We had our first holiday at Coombe Mill at Christmas 2015 and loved it so much we returned again last Easter. Coombe Mill is very different in the Spring and the girls loved seeing the baby lambs and rabbits. After another wonderful holiday, we booked again for Easter this year. I have to admit, that I was expecting much the same as last year, but Coombe Mill keeps on surprising!
We were actually staying at the farm on Easter day itself, so following the first Feed Run of the holiday there was the most amazing Easter Egg hunt. Clues had all the children moving from different parts of Coombe Mill, tracking down chocolate eggs. The girls ended up with a haul that kept them going for the rest of the holiday. The children were encouraged to make sure that the eggs had been shared around everyone, and it was lovely to see them offering chocolate to each other (usually proceeded by parents saying that their child had already got plenty!).
The following day was Activity Hour, which the girls always look forward to. It astonishes me that this is included free of charge within the holiday. Fiona obviously puts in so much time and effort with planning activities that keep all the kids occupied for the hour. This week, the theme was “kindness”. The children painted kindness rocks – some to hide for others to find around the farm, and some to take away and hide back at home. To inspire the children, there was also a hunt for painted rocks within the Fairy Garden and the new Nature Trail. During this, they found natural material to stick onto decorated kindness messages which were to be laminated and hung up on a Wishing Tree on the new Nature Trail.
Some things don’t change at Coombe Mill. For example, everyone wants to have a go at driving the tractor. My two want to drive the tractor with either Amber or Fiona. They were overjoyed that they both were able to drive with both of them this holiday. Emily was so proud of her achievements driving the tractor!
The Feed Run itself had the same familiar format. Mine enjoy feeding the deer most. There were also newborn lambs again this year. There were a few little changes this year. For example – the goats now had a trampoline!
In addition to feeding the animals, eggs are collected from the chickens on the Feed Run. Emily loved carrying her little prize carefully back to the lodge to enjoy it for breakfast the next day.
The most exciting addition to the farm this year was a baby goat. Queenie had given birth a couple of weeks previously, and “Prince Charles” was very popular with all the children. Emily didn’t really understand the significance of his name, and seemed convinced he was “Prince Charms” as he was so charming. She is quite nervous of the goats as she is worried about being “butted”. Which is ironic as she is more than happy to “butt” Rich and I. She did absolutely fall in love with Prince Charles though and was happy to get into his enclosure. She even stroked him – just with a single finger to start with!
The Coombe Mill train was as popular as ever. Waving the flag and operating the signal being just as desirable as actually riding the train. However, by the station there were now a handful of holes of the new crazy golf course.
What hadn’t changed at Coombe Mill was the feeling I have when I am staying here. The farm and the surroundings are just beautiful – even when the weather isn’t at its best. Being outside in these wonderful surroundings really helps you escape from your normal everyday life. Despite packing lots into our week, you feel relaxed and yet energised. Fiona and her family always make us feel so welcome. I also love having the opportunity to catch up with Fiona over a gin in the evening. I love how I discovered Fiona and Coombe Mill through blogging, and as a result we have now had three wonderful family holidays and a lovely friend.
We have experienced Coombe Mill in the Winter and Spring. These experiences were very different, but we have had a fantastic time every visit. This holiday did leave us with a niggling question, though – “What is Coombe Mill like during the Summer?” I don’t like unanswered questions. So the only logical action was to rebook for next summer.
Aw such a beautiful post. I look forward to you visiting, the girls make friends so easily and clearly enjoy all that goes on at the farm. Seeing the farm though your eyes is wonderful. I feel like all the things I try to create for a family holiday here are actually working when I read the week from your perspective. I know you enjoy it and always worry that each visit won’t live up t the last. I’m now crossing my fingers for a beautiful Cornish summer week when you come next year, but whatever the weather there is always wellies, coats, friendship and gin!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post with me.
Coombe Mill does sound amazing, Fiona is such a whirlwind of organisation and ideas. I didn’t realise so much was included in the holiday. Love those crazy goats and the tractor driving! Your description makes me want to visit right now #CountryKids
It’s great to see it through a customer (and friend)’s eyes after seeing it all from Fiona’s viewpoint week by week – we can see how much work she puts in and it’s lovely to see it’s all appreciated. I’d love to do most of these activities myself, even without the kids !! #countrykids
So much fun and fabulous photographs of some wonderful family moments. I love those beautiful rocks and the creative ideas Fiona comes up with. That baby goat is so adorable!
Lol at you booking for next Summer. So glad you had a wonderful time again, your photos speak a million words. How cool that you got cuddles with little Charlie Boots the goat, he is so sweet. Mich x #Countrykids
We went last summer and got a rainy week 🙂 so take waterproofs, the good old Cornish weather! Though weirdly we’d get to the beach and there would be glorious sunshine there! #countrykids
Beautiful photos. I love this! What an amazing Easter break for the family.
Popping over from #CountryKids x
What a wonderful holiday. Coombe Mill looks fabulous I don’t how Fiona does it all but I discovered it in your post – gin! How lovely to feed the baby animals and join in with the activities hour. I look forward to reading how you get on in summer! #CountryKids
I would love to take the kids to Coombe Mill, but it’s a little far for us 🙂 I’m sad that we never visited before we left the UK! Looks like you had a wonderful week, Fiona and her family really do pull out all the stops for their guests. #countrykids
We cannot wait to return to Coombe Mill and are heading back for our third Christmas this year – I would love to visit at Easter
The goats on the trampoline are just too funny! Loving getting the eggs collected and so many cute animals to cuddle – my boys would go mad for that! I am with you on the niggling question – how’s Coombe Mill in the summer, so we may just need to book and discover ourselves 😉 #countrykids