Blog

At Nettlecombe Farm, the festive season has become even more magical with the arrival of two adorable new additions to our animal family: baby reindeer Cupid and Blitzen! If there’s one thing that can make a farmer’s Christmas extra special, it’s welcoming these enchanting creatures to the herd. Introducing Cupid and Blitzen Cupid and Blitzen, both male, have joined our...

Nettlecombe Farm has been awarded the Gold Award in the Isle of Wight Green Tourism Awards, managed by Visit Isle of Wight. This recognition celebrates the business's outstanding commitment to sustainability, eco-friendly practices, and support for the Island’s journey towards achieving Net Carbon Zero. The Gold Green Tourism Award highlights Nettlecombe Farm's dedication to...

Are you ready to add a touch of countryside charm to your wardrobe? Look no further than Nettlecombe Farm on the picturesque Isle of Wight! We're excited to announce that after numerous requests from our wonderful guests, we're now offering branded baseball caps for sale. Picture yourself strolling through our lush green fields, soaking in the fresh air and sunshine, with one of our...

Our new walk-around videos serve as your tour guide through the different accommodations we offer. Whether you're considering a romantic retreat in one of our snug cottages or planning a family holiday in our more spacious farmhouse, these videos allow you to step inside each property from the comfort of your home. Experience the layouts, the decor, and the captivating views that make...

We're thrilled to have been nominated for Best Holiday Cottage/Apartment in the 2024 Red Funnel Awards. As we're in some amazing company in this award, we'd be grateful for your votes! You can vote by clicking the link RED FUNNEL AWARDS Thank you from all of the team :)

Exciting News: Gift Vouchers Now Available at Nettlecombe Farm! Searching for the perfect gift that promises adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories? Look no further! Nettlecombe Farm is thrilled to introduce our brand-new gift vouchers, now available at www.nettlecombefarm.co.uk/giftvouchers. Whether you're planning a surprise for an animal-loving friend, a romantic getaway...

At Nettlecombe Farm, we understand the importance of providing our guests with the best value for their money. That's why we've forged strong trade relationships with two of the Isle of Wight's most reputable ferry operators: Red Funnel and Wightlink. These partnerships allow us to offer our guests exclusive discounted ferry fares that can help you save a significant amount on your...

We are super thrilled to have been awarded a gold from Visit Isle of Wight's Green Tourism Awards this year. This accolade recognises businesses like Nettlecombe Farm that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to reducing their carbon footprint, advocating sustainable travel, and spearheading green initiatives, supporting the Island's ambitious goal of achieving Net Carbon...

What do you do when Edna the Emu gives you eggs? You make lemon curd of course. Or rather you get your favourite private chef to make it. But as Zoe The Epicurean Sailor found, it was easier said than done… Emu egg lemon curd ‘Not your standard ‘crack on the side of the bowl’ method of opening… I even considered using my drill initially but in the end decided...

Here at Nettlecombe, we constantly strive to do better. And one of those ways is by having a good look at our accessibility and inclusion and how we can improve on both. Some of our team attended a Disability Equality course as part of our mission to become more accessible and welcoming to all which was run by Isle Access and was a brilliantly informative day, leaving us with lots to think...

Nettlecombe Farm was delighted to be presented with a Gold Green Impact Award at this year’s awards ceremony at Calbourne Water Mill on the 3rd of February. The awards are coordinated by SOS-UK and supported by the Isle of Wight Council and concentrate on companies green and eco credentials and how they create more sustainable working environments. Jose Morris, owner of Nettlecombe Farm...

Holidays mean different things to different people, and different generations, and here at Nettlecombe Farm, we get that. For over forty years, we’ve been welcoming guests to relax, make memories and just enjoy everything that the Farm and the Island has to offer, and we think we’re doing a pretty good job as over 60% of our bookings are referrals or families returning; some of whom...

Well, here we are, firmly into 2023. There are frosty mornings and cold starry nights and here on the Farm, we’re looking forward to spring and everything that a new year brings. Of course, whilst things are relatively quiet, that gives us the opportunity to make even more improvements to our holiday cottages and the Farm and this has included winning a Gold Green Impact Award and making...

The nights are getting longer, the days are getting shorter making our luxury holiday cottages the perfect place to cosy up in after a brisk autumn walk. The island is magical throughout the winter, it's quieter out and about with a huge variety of restaurants and public houses to enjoy. If you would like to sail away to the Isle of Wight and stay with us on a 7 night stay in one...

Well, the Isle of Wight, what a summer it was! The weather was just perfect for long walks, trips to the beach, plenty of ice creams, swimming and picnics. There were also some great festivals that we enjoyed, from an all-star Isle of Wight Festival, carnival season and Rhythmtree, to the May walking festival, Cowes Week and Walk the Wight. All of these and many more will be returning in...

August saw the launch of the Angling Trust ‘Get Fishing’ program here at Nettlecombe Farm. 30 participants attended the 2 day courses learning how to tackle up, cast off, maintain their equipment and most importantly catch lots of fish safely. The courses were aimed at beginners of all ages who were keen to learn the sport. Chris Silverstone is the new fishing coach here at...

Spring has most definitely sprung and as always on the Farm it’s one of the busiest times of the year. As well as swathes of daffodils and spring flowers for us to enjoy, the farm animals have loved getting out to new grass and fresh air, and Willow and Bracken the goats, Nutty the Valais Blacknose ram and Pixie the pony have been enjoying their walks. In other animal (and bird) news we...

Here on the sunny Isle of Wight we’re blessed not just with spectacular countryside, beaches and scenery, but a myriad of different events that take place throughout the year which means that there’s always something to do! Far many, live music is at the top of the agenda and with the iconic Isle of Wight Festival in June with its top-notch headliners, to smaller music festivals...

Post pandemic, wellbeing is at the forefront of all of our minds. Whether we go for a walk, join a sports team or have a quiet, reflective yoga session or a massage, we are all feeling the need for some time to reboot our systems, minds and bodies. Here at Nettlecombe, we can offer you lots of great stuff to boost your wellbeing whilst you’re on holiday with us so that you leave feeling...

We were delighted to welcome four Valais Black nose sheep to Nettlecombe farm who arrived in late July. Acknowledged widely as the cutest sheep breed in existence, Valais Blacknose sheep are famous for their shaggy coats and spiral horns. Globally, Valais Blacknose sheep have been endangered through nature and human activity over the years. The first of the...

Here at Nettlecombe Farm we are passionate about the land and our animals and love to share this with others. We offer the opportunity for local community youth groups and schools to come and learn about our animals on a tour with our animal keepers. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for children to get up close with our animals, feed them and learn all about them, which gives them a...

The wonderful local artist Zoe Sadler has created 5 wonderful colouring sheets for Nettlecombe Farm guests to enjoy. These are available to be downloaded free of charge from our website and will be printed out in the arrival packs for our guests. https://nettlecombefarm.co.uk/farm/252/Downloadable_colouring_pages.php We love how Zoe has perfectly captured each animal and their...

Keep your eyes peeled around the farm for our specially painted pebbles with pictures of our animals on. We've set up a treasure hunt around the farm for you to hunt the pebbles. Get your treasure map from one of the animal keepers, find the pebbles and write down which animal you find and where. The take your answers back to the animal keeper and they'll give you a little prize for...

It's awards time of year again and we'd love you to vote for us in the upcoming Isle of Wight Awards, which are kindly held by Red Funnel. Year on year we make changes and improvements to the farm and its facilities as we know that sustainability and growth is not possible by just standing still. We also feel that we owe it to our regular guests not only to keep the farm to a very high...

Who doesn’t love a nature walk? The chance to get outside and really appreciate the countryside, the local flora, wildlife, seashore and everything in between. And what better than a nature walk with a guide… With that in mind, we have partnered with Natural Links and experienced nature walk guide Dave Fairlamb to take you on a fabulous route from the farm known as the Stenbury...

Did you know that from certain points on the Island, you can see constellations of stars? Through the Dark Wight Skies Initiative the IW AONB is working in partnership with the Vectis Astronomical Society and Campaign to Protect Rural England to achieve international recognition for the Island’s night sky. So what is a dark sky? Dark Skies are special areas across the world where...

It's International Women's day on the 8th of March and here on the farm we're delighted to tell you that over 80% of our staff are female and we have just taken on a new apprentice Tallulah. We're passionate about girl power and when we decided to take on a new apprentice we looked no further than Tallulah who has been with us for a couple of years doing farm tours. She's...

Walking and running are brilliant not just for your physical health but also for your mental wellbeing, and with both of those in mind we’ve devised some wonderful circular routes from Nettlecombe Farm at the very heart of the Isle of Wight, with countryside, coastal and woodland views all within easy reach. The perfect way to unwind and recharge. If you’re hooked up to the Strava...

Travel is very much at the forefront of the Isle of Wight’s sustainability drive and the ‘Drive Less See More’ campaign is one that we at Nettlecombe Farm wholeheartedly support. So much so, that we have reinforced green transport initiatives and we include free transport to and from Shanklin Station if you decide not to bring your car, and free bus travel so that you can see...

When you go on holiday, the last thing you want to do is worry about shopping or having bring a carload of groceries with you and so we’ve come up with some great ideas for deliveries to your door so that you don’t have to. Here on the Isle of Wight we’re blessed with an abundance of local produce and independent shops, restaurants and takeaways that can cater to your every...

We love our furry friends here on the farm and we’re always delighted when you bring your canine family with you to visit us. Nettlecombe Farm is perfectly equipped to welcome dogs and with nine award winning dog friendly self-catering cottages you’ll really be spoiled for choice as we can accommodate parties from three to ten people and their canine friends. We do of course, ask...

There were shepherds, wise men, angels and Mary and Joseph as well as sheep, alpacas and of course donkeys and reindeer performing at the St Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy’s nativity which took place at the Farm in December. There’s nothing like a real stable and real animals to put on the best nativity play ever and it was clear that the children from St Francis...

The 2020 winners of the Isle of Wight Rural Business Awards have been announced. – Isle of Wight Observer News (iwobserver.co.uk)

Nettlecombe Farm is a birdspotter's paradise, we have just dug out a list of all the birds that one of our guests spotted during his stay with us between August 21st - October 1st. If you have spotted any others then plese do let us know!  Robin  Dunnock  Great Tit   Blue Tit  Long Tailed Tit  Grey Heron  Kestrel  Common...

We have seen a significant increase in the number of people enjoying fishing at our lakes and it’s clear to see that we have a real community at the lakes, so we have created a community group for everyone to share their photos and tips on. Regardless of numbers, booking is never required, the space allows everyone to enjoy a secluded and tranquil day of fishing. We...

Nettlecombe Farm has been rewarded for its sustainable approach.   A rural Island business has become the latest to reach the gold standard in Visit IW's green tourism awards.  Nettlecombe Farm has been awarded the Green Star Gold Award due to its sustainable approach to tourism.  Nettlecombe has a number of self catering cottages set in the countryside at Whitwell...

If you visit the Isle of Wight regularly or perhaps have a home here, you will hardly need reminding that it’s a very special place. But in 2019, it was recognised by UNESCO (perhaps better known for awarding World Heritage Sites) as a biosphere reserve. For many, this will immediately bring to mind Cornwall’s Eden Project, but a biosphere designation is much more than that and...

Over the years we have supported many charities close to our hearts. This year we have chosen The Farming Community Network (FCN) - a voluntary organisation and charity that works tirelessly to support farmers and their families across England and Wales through tough times. This year marks FCN’s 25th anniversary. FCN runs a free, confidential Helpline (03000 111 999) and helps thousands...

Visit England has rated Nettlecombe Farm as number 2 in the UK for farm stays for a family break. In the heart of the island is a working farm home to charming self-catering barns, stables and cottages – full of rustic touches. The ideal spot for a holiday with toddlers, there are lots of opportunities to meet the furry residents, from chickens and turkeys to piglets and reindeer. As...

Isle of Wight farm-stay, Nettlecombe Farm, has been named The Best Rural Tourism Business after winning national final of this Rural Business Award. Rural businesses from across Britain are celebrating following the Rural Business Awards’ National Final, held on 27th February at the exceptional grade II heritage building, The Monastery. The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the...

We have been named one of the best rural businesses in the South East after winning a regional Rural Business Award. Nettlecombe Farm was named Best Rural Tourism Business at the South East regional finals of the Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon which were held at Canterbury Cathedral and regionally sponsored by Openreach. Following the impressive achievement at the...