Season 5 Highlights!
Thank you as always to all our lovely guests who came to stay last year. We had yet another very busy season with coronavirus restrictions only delaying our opening by 1 week in April. We also caught up with rebooked stays from the previous year, finally meeting all those who had waited so patiently to stay. Covid wreaked havoc and we had a few cancelled stays, but these resold swiftly with the power of social media.
We were delighted to welcome back so many guests, such a compliment that so many returned for their 4rd or 5th time to Lower Keats. Many lovely families even stayed twice with us last summer 😊 We also made lots of new friends, that visited for the first time this year, who we hope will return again and again, now that they have also found us!
March 21
Starting a week later due to Coronavirus restrictions meant the lodges had a extended weeklong lie in before they woke from their sleepy slumber. (& also, a bit of extra time for the team to get everything sparkling ready!).
Additions for 2021:
To the Lodges
We added new frying pans; as these sure do get heavy use with our delicious eggs and bacon, (our local scouts received donations of our old ones, where they will continue their happy retirement over more campfires!). New log baskets were added to the lodges for your precious wood cargo, and we extended metal floor plates under the fires: to catch any fire spits from burning the floors.
Outside
We listened to your feedback about wanting more seating to chillout on, and to make your stay even more luxurious, we have added new enormous bean bag loungers to each lodge. These, alongside the chesterfield sofas, give you more space to snuggle up around the woodburning stoves and BBQ during the evenings. For making the most of those sunny Devon days, each lodge now has two sun loungers with cushion pads, so plenty of options to relax and enjoy the view.
A fabulous fortress arrived for the children to explore, with a slide and climbing wall. Gary has been busy with his digger again, creating pull up bars to start off the outdoor gym equipment, more happening on this project over this winter. Can you guess what this might be? let us know your guesses!
Local tree surgeons tackled the copse, trimming back and tiding the taller trees; thus, creating sustainable logs for us too, and the chippings going under the fortress. Gary and Roy weatherproofed the timber work on the front of the large barn, it has improved the look outside of the honesty shop no end too!
We were fortunate to secure 20 trees from the parish council (who have a commitment to plant 100 trees a year for the next 10 years), we planted these around the carpark and along the agricultural barn. They are native whips: English Oak, Beech, Rowan, Wild cherry, Leafed Lime and Hawthorn. We can’t wait to see them thrive and blossom.
In other news: A disaster with the pond building (enough said) ☹ meaning the ducks will have to stay in their plunge pool for now, the new pond build will be re-sited in the lower meadow, once the garden project for the house is complete (just a warning this is still in progress) as yet again the weather turned too wet to continue. Still the memories of our original glamping build come to mind with the muddy mess …. (the motto of just ‘don’t look’ is the best thing, it will be wonderful very soon 😊). Luckily this is not in view at all from the lodges!
Pizza Nights
Pizza night continued twice a week; these are an easy option for dinner and a great way to meet others staying on the site, with many a cricket or rounders game too! How many pizzas do you think Gary cooked last season, and who was brave enough to cook their own? Send your favourite or unusual toppings for this season to linda@lowerkeats@btinternet.com More exciting food news to follow soon too ….
Animals
Anyone who has stayed with us will know Gary’s famous for his animal feeding farm tours; keeping the smaller Lower Keats visitors occupied and parents too, as they join him to feed our farmyard animals. The lambs, piglets, calves’ chickens and ducks will be ready waiting for your stay. And of course, Buster our Springer can’t wait to see you again too. If you would like to stay in the 2022 school holidays, you will need to hurry as we only have a few dates left!
Last year we enjoyed getting back to bottle feeding the baby lambs with guests, look at these waggly tails, we didn’t hatch out any ducklings or chicks, but watch this amazing clip of one from 2021! The lambs perfected their usual tricks in super quick time: by escaping out of the field gate each time it was opened, for a quick trot around the carpark, and back into the field, to eat their food either from the trough or hands of guests. The two little pigs enjoyed being massaged from a young age, and by the end of the season were enjoying a good old rub on their backs. Did you manage the tail trick during your stay? Our new-born calves, as last year, were a great hit with adults and children alike, many a finger, jumper or cardigan was sucked and slobbered on. The favourite animal names this year were ‘marmite’ and ‘treacle’ for the piglets!
Press/Reviews
Muddy Stilettos: We were delighted to be listed again in the Muddy Stilettos Weekend Escapes, new for this year. Read her fabulous review here. Many more accolades were received from Cool Places, Unique Stays and Cool Stays, to name just a few, who also kindly spotlighted our wonderful site during the year.
Reviews
Thanks to all our guests for leaving such lovely reviews and positive feedback; both online and in our lodge guest books. It was overwhelming to read all your wonderful messages in the lodge review books. They are filled with such kind words about us and our guests’ adventures, thank you. 😊 Do have a read of the Testimonials on our website, you might see yours. If you have yet to leave us an online review after your stay (TripAdvisor/Facebook/Google etc) – please don’t delay, your information really helps guests decide to stay with us. All online reviewers are put into our annual draw for £150 voucher off a stay or spend in our honesty shop.
2021 Season
As our last guests departed after October half term, and the lodges were tucked up yet again for their winter sleep, you might be forgiven for thinking we would be having a rest, but in many ways, we are just as busy in the winter months as in the summer, stripping down the lodges, then repairing and preparing for the next season.
Yet again in no time at all we will planting up pots, restocking the shop and setting up the lodges ready to welcome our first guests of the 2022 season. We hope to open for our 6th season on the 8th of April, unzipping our canvases for 2022. Book soon if you would like to stay and make unforgettable memories with us.
Easter: We have just a few Spring spaces including Easter, May Bank holidays and May half term. Whatever the season and weather during your stay, we guarantee you a luxury break at Lower Keats.
Spring in Devon is often warm and dry but even with wet and windy weather our guests love the cosy feel of the lodges and firing up the wood burner to enjoy quality time snuggled up together.
Summer months allow guests to take advantage of their lodge stove and BBQ/fire pit whilst watching the clearer starry skies above. Our meadow is perfect for team sports, cricket, rounders & football for those wanting a more energetic break during the longer hours of sunlight.
Autumn breaks can be the most relaxing, the beaches, restaurants and lanes are quieter, parking and tables at the best places are much easier to book. Book a relaxing break, enjoy the slower pace of life of a Devon Autumnal break.
Group Bookings: Don’t forget to register your interest at info@lowerkeatsglamping.co.uk if you are interested in booking the whole site for a party or group stay.
2022 Pricing/Offers
We have had a small increase in prices for 2022 and are continuing with our term time offer of our ‘dogs stay for free’ mid-week offer, don’t delay – book your preferred break next year.
2 Night Stays: If you can’t get away for one of our coveted 4-night midweeks or 3-night weekends; we continue to offer 2-night stays at selected times to ensure no one misses out! Enjoy a quick break away in the Devon countryside, grab a change of scene for a short while to aid your mental health and wellbeing. Just email info@lowerkeatsglamping.co.uk to check availability.
We will be adding special offers to the website during the season, so do make sure to follow our facebook page and bookmark our Special Offers page to ensure you don’t miss out on any giveaways, late availability or special discounts during the year.
Book Now for 2022
Book by emailing info@lowerkeatsglamping.co.uk, calling 07540 367386 or going to the Bookings page of our website.
We would love to see you in 2022. We’re booking up fast, so don’t leave it too late ….
Linda, Gary, the boys & Buster.