Call us overly philosophical, but the creek seems an extension of island life itself. Dynamic and interesting yet wonderfully calm and pleasantly slow, the Isle of Wight boasts a fistful of activities yet a relaxing, holiday-friendly pace. Which brings us to Locks Farm. If you want to drift to and fro like the waters in the creek then this stunning site seems precisely the place to do it.
Owned by third generation cattle farmers, John and Hayley Angell, it has seen the ebb and flow of change. Once home to a small dairy herd, the farm has modernised with the times, it’s stock growing in numbers and its business diversifying to include glamping in a quiet corner of the farm. The feel, though, is still one that’s wholly traditional. The brick farm house is wonderfully quaint, the chickens roam around as though they’ve been here longer than humans and the accommodation itself has a classic, country feel.
In total there are just three Canvas Lodges, safari tent style units that have wooden floors and three different rooms within. The master room features a king sized bed, there’s a separate twin room, and the largest space is a combination of kitchen and dining areas. The whole lodge is kitted out with everything you need – from duvets and pillows to pots and pans – and outside the likes of a pizza oven add that extra luxury element.
It’s the atmosphere of it all that makes for such a fantastic site though. John and Hayley are attentive without being constantly at your door and their farmyard tours give a fun insight into their lives on the farm. Then there’s the sheer space. Not just wandering around down by the creek but running freely in the field beyond the lodges or taking to the footpath that leads around the coast. It’s an easy walk to Gurnard Beach – shingle and sand, precariously close to being sand castle friendly, yet just when you think you’ve got it they fall back down – while the Sportsmen’s Rest pub, is another good walk (for obvious reasons!). When you settle back at the campsite the tide may just have returned again and the fish will be back. It’s all a gentle cycle and, even if only for a long weekend, it’s a joy to be a part of.
Breakfast and local food hampers are available from the campsite at an extra charge and home made meals can be supplied (enquire in advance). It's a little under half a mile (10-minute walk) to The Sportsman's Rest (01983 522044), a wonderful country pub serving hearty meals.