Self Catering Cottage. We are in a reasonably isolated position in the Lincolnshire Fens. Ours is a quiet hamlet and the nearest shop is about 3 miles away!. In this area wildlife is abundant - herons and barn owls common, and the area provides much opportunity for the keen angler. However, you are 10 minutes from Skegness with Fantasy Island, Bottons Funfair, Butlins Funcoast World, the Seal Rescue and Gibralter point. Further afield there are many National Trust properties, RAF Museum, Tennysons Church, the Bulbfields, the Heavy Horse Centre and many other attractions. You are welcome to look around the farm while you are here ( Please could we politely ask you to close all gates and not smoke in the yard ). Children are welcome to help feed the Goats and hens and help us look for the eggs! Accommodation is in en-suite rooms either double or twin and an extra bed can be added in either for a small child if requested. Some rooms are accessible for disabled guests. All rooms have en-suite shower, basin and WC. Each room has a colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities, kettle and toaster. A breakfast basket is included in your room price and is served in your room. This consists of bread or muffins to toast, butter, marmalade and jams, yoghurt, cereal, fruit, milk and fresh juice. We can also provide sandwiches and cold suppers on request. There are many good local pubs and restaurants if you require a hot evening meal. Riding may be available, depending on the time of the year, as we also have unaccompanied children on residential Riding Holidays. (. For further information click here. ) We cannot accept beginners, but if you would like a lesson or a hack during your stay, please give us some advanced notice. Bed and Breakfast from £22 per person per night. We have a tiny one bed self catering cottage on the farm which sleeps 2 adults and 2 children £250 per week

Riding Holidays (for unaccompanied holidays). The east is supposed to be the drier side of Britain, and although we can never promise a dry week, we rarely have a totally spoilt one. We do make use of Skegness with visits to the beach, and the children can go swimming both in the local pool and in the sea. In the next door village we have a Heavy Horse Centre which welcomes our visitors one afternoon per week and they can handle the guinness Book of records Largest Horse in the world and take part in a shire and cart ride along the lanes at the end of the day. Accommodation is as part of a country family - no cold caravans in the yard here! You sleep in the farmhouse and have meals as family. No more than six children are resident at any one time, so no one can feel left out or lost. We have vegetarians in our family, so I am used to cooking a variety of meals. In summer we have a weekly BBQ, in winter we might toast marshmallows on our log fire - I can usually persuade the fussiest of eaters not to starve! We have family experience of asthma, and will keep a discreet eye on your children with common medical conditions. All our girls have current first aid certs and enhanced CRB checks. Children are kept fully occupied and supervised at all times (Sue is a graduate teacher) - in the evenings depending on the weather we have quiz's, beach outings, go swimming, to the fair or cinema, ( all outing prices INCLUDED in your holiday ) or have evening rides sometimes with lights and music. We have our own little tuck shop which sells crisps and chocolate, pens and postcards - open Mon, Weds and Friday after tea. We will take any age from 8 years to 18 years but cannot take complete beginners on weekly holidays. We do our best to book similar ages and abilities each week, and sometimes have special 'themed' weeks. We also take school children for work experience. There are now so many related Equestrian Careers - grooms, yard managers, instructors, equine physios, trek leaders, veterinary nurses, saddlers, farriers, horse dentists - the list is endless and some experience is invaluable. Ask your school to contact us. Our girls have BHS or Pony club qualifications and will gladly advise others thinking about the same. We can some times take children with their own ponies. This very much depends on the time of the year and availability of paddocks and stables, Ponies must have current vaccination cards and full insurance. Please ring for more details... The ponies are our family ponies. Our children all ride and when they do not have holiday guests the ponies compete in local shows and at Riding Club and Dressage events with my daughter Jess. Some ponies are steadier than others, some jumpers, some keen games ponies - so let us know your interests and abilities when you book and we will try and match you with your perfect pony. During the week you will be taught formally in the school, hack out along green lanes ( and perhaps earn a 7 mile roads and tracks certificate ) go on a day ride and stop for a pub lunch, have a chance to ride bareback, jump, take part in a musical ride etc. Each week varies slightly according to age and ability of the group, but everyone has a chance to take part in competitions and perhaps win rosettes and prizes to take home. You will look after one pony as if he is your own for the week - responsible ( with supervision if necessary ) for feeding, mucking out, grooming and tack cleaning - all the tasks which go with owning a pony as well as all the riding! All the ponies are lovely, many get fan mail which they do reply to, but we would always swop you if you did not get on. We have en-suite rooms on the farm for bed and breakfast, ideal for parents wishing to break a long journey. Please Ring... Any questions ? Ring us Anytime. Easter Period (March and April ). May Day Special 4 days with Show. Summer Period ( July and August ). Weekend Breaks (term time only). Winter woollies (4 Days before christmas). NEW ~ Out of season weeks in June and September £200. Weekly holidays run from 5pm on the Sunday until 12.00 on the following Saturday. Weekenders arrive 6pm Friday until 6pm Sunday. Day courses are 9-5pm. Winter Woolly courses ( usually the week before Christmas ) Mon 6pm Until Thurs 6pm ). TERMTIME LESSONS AND HACKS ABRS/Qualified Instructor. Small children ( half hour led )

Willow Farm is an Outreach Centre for the College of West Anglia, based at Milton Cambridge. ( www.col-westanglia.ac.uk. We can offer the following NVQ Courses to students. NVQ Level 1 in Animal Care. Which includes the following units: AC1 Assist with the movement and handling of animals AC2 Assist with Animal Feedstuffs CU1 Maintain safe and effective working practises CU29 Assist with the care of animals CU30 Assist with animal accommodation The animals you would be involved with here are ponies, goats, hens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, fish and giant land snails. We also organise outside visits locally to involve you in dogs and cats, parrots and exotics including snakes! NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care may be added in 2008/9 please enquire. NVQ Level 1 in Horse Care. Which includes the following units: 101 Assist with the Care of Horses 102 Assist with Cleaning Stables and Yard 103 Assist with putting on, taking off and cleaning Equipment 104 Assist with handling horses 105 Maintain health, safety and good working relations 106 Ride horses in an enclosed area The 106 unit is optional, and this yard has a 12stone weight limit for riders. NVQ Level 2 in Horse Care and Riding. Which includes the following units: 201 Prepare and clean stables 202 Maintain the health and well-being of horsesv 203 Prepare horses for use 204 Prep[are and Maintain horses on grazing land 205 Prepare and provide non ridden exercise and aftercare 206 Load and unload horses under supervision 207 Ensure your own actions reduce risks to Health and Safety 208 Maintain effective working relationships plus various optional units (choose one) 212 Exercise horses under supervision including ride and lead 213 Ride schooled horses under supervision including jumping and roadwork. NVQs are studied for 450hrs a year usually 1 or 2 days a week. You must also be prepared to undertake up to 3hrs home study per week. If you are 16-18yrs you should qualify for EMA. If you are older (and there is no age limit) you may qualify for an Adult Learner Grant or help with transport or childcare from the Student Support fund at the College of West Anglia.. NVQs are FREE to MOST STUDENTS. Please ring us for more details. Other Courses. NPTC Skills for Working Life a€“ Landbased studies is available for students with learning difficulties. Please ask for details. 14-16 Landbased Diploma a€“ may be added in 2008/9, please enquire. ANC (Advanced Nat Diploma a Level 3 Course in Equine Studies may also be added in 2008/9. Please ask.

Willow farm is a caring family-run school, approved and inspected by ELDC and the Association of British Riding Schools to teach children and Adults. We are also an Outreach Centre for the College of West Anglia and offer full and part time Landbased courses in Animal Care and Equine EDEXCEL Skills for Working Life Entry Level 2 and 3 in Animal Care NVQ Level 1 in Animal Care NVQ Level 1 in Horse Care and Riding NVQ Level 2 in Horse Care and Riding NVQ Level 3 in Horse Care and Management In the majority of cases these are free courses although students will be responsible for the costs of books and travel, however students 16-18yrs will usually qualify for EMA. Please ring us for more details. In the Riding School we take children from 3years old and have good facilities for teaching - 15acres of grassland riding, two all weather floodlit rubber surfaced schools, gymkhana lanes and showjumps. Pupils are prepared for ABRS Progressive Riding and Stable Management Tests and we organise lectures, course days, fun days, and competitions in school holidays. Each year we have an annual prizegiving and party in November in which pupils receive awards for highest pass marks in tests or most improvement in their age groups etc. This event raises money for BBC Children in Need. Our pupils also Carol sing at Christmas for the local Chapel, and we have an ongoing collection of used Postage stamps for Bransby Home of Rest for Horses at Lincoln. In 2003 Willow Farm was a finalist in the Lincolnshire and Rutland Business Awards, and the East Midlands Winner of the National Access Awards. In 2005/6 we were winners of the Best Tourism Experience Gold Award at the Enjoy England Excellence Awards - East Midlands Tourism. We teach to the highest standard for both enjoyment and safety, and any of our staff will be pleased to show visitors around and make you a coffee anytime. Adult lesson or hack approx 1hr - £19 Junior lesson or hack approx 1hr - £15 Tinies lead rein lesson or ride out (half hour) £8.00 Day Course - £25-£30. In the Riding School we aim to teach in groups NOT EXCEEDING 4 riders. School holiday activities are busy and varied - do ask for a free newsletter. Willow Farm is also an official PONY CLUB CENTRE and members meet fortnightly on a Monday after school as well as taking part in rallies and activities in school holidays. Do ask for details.

 Breakfast may be served in the room
 Camping and RSV park on grounds
 Playground for children
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Disabled guests are welcome
 Heating
 Pets are accepted
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 TV sets in rooms