Rooms

The three safari lodges stand side by side at the lake’s edge, but far enough apart from one another to ensure privacy. Pinkfoot is in the middle, Cuckoo and Teal at either side. All have their own private decks with seating and lake views.

Inside, they resemble cabins, with wooden floors and partition walls, and rooms separated by curtains. The entire front wall folds back to bring the outside in. At the centre of each tent is the living area with a wood-burning stove, a sizeable kitchen, a sofa, and a dining table seating six. For rainy days there are board games and cards in a chest that doubles up as a coffee table. The master bedroom is kingsize, and you get a fabulous lake view from the bed. White Company linens and thick blankets make it super warm and cosy - I'd go as far as saying it's one of the comfiest beds I've slept in. There’s also a second kingsize bed in a fun cabin bedroom (where The Nest gets its name from) - great for kids, a bit claustrophobic for two adults - and another bedroom with twin beds.

Bathrooms are snazzy: flushing loo, hot water, toiletries, and that inviting sunken bath standing at the centre – you certainly don’t slum it at this campsite! Note that the baths, lovely as they are, are not so practical for everyday washing - they are free-standing with handheld showers.

Thoughtful extras for keeping warm include hot water bottles, luxury hot chocolate sachets, rugs, blankets and hypoallergenic duvets. Mosquito nets cover all windows, so there's no need to worry about bugs getting in.

Features include:

• Coffee / tea making
• Fireplace
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Toiletries

Eating

Your kitchen is fully equipped for cooking proper meals. The wood-burning stove has a hob and an oven compartment – or you can use the plug-in electric hob for quick snacks. Note there's no microwave. A toaster, kettle, fridge with freezer compartment, pots, pans and crockery are all provided, as are essentials like coffee/tea, condiments, bin bags, logs, and washing up kit. You also get a barbecue stored in your shed out the back, so you can cook alfresco on warm evenings - barbecue packs containing chicken, sausages, burgers and buns can be pre-ordered. Stamford has a range of supermarkets for stocking up on supplies.

Not keen on cooking? No problem! Emma and Archie offer a small menu of readymade meals and hampers that can be left in your lodge, or you can request a grazing board to tuck into. There's also a pizza oven you can hire (extra cost) with homemade dough and passata provided - just bring your own toppings.

For eating out there are plenty of options in the area. The Millstone is close (4km) and has a lovely outdoor courtyard. We had a pleasant meal on the flower-strewn terrace at The White Hart in Ufford (4km). Sample excellent pizza at Pizza da Mario in Stamford, or splurge at Hambleton Hall, where there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant. Emma has lots more recommendations – check the welcome pack.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Dinner by arrangement
• Fridge
• Hob or stove
• Kitchenette
• Meal delivery service
• Oven
• Shopping service
• Toaster

Activities

• Chill out on site: go kayaking, fishing or wild swimming in the lake; have a massage on your deck; swing in the hammock in the woods; soak in the wood-fired hot tub
  
• The farm is a great spot for birdwatching - we saw dozens of birds of prey circling overhead. Bring some binoculars and gaze out from your deck
  
• Ask Archie to arrange a Film & Firepit Evening for you – he can set up a projector outside your tent
  
• Explore the pretty market town of Stamford (10km), home to over 600 listed buildings, five medieval churches and some lovely cafes and shops
  
• Spend a day in Peterborough (14km) and see its impressive Cathedral
  
• Go walking, cycling or paddling around Rutland Water (22km)
  
• Visit nearby stately homes; Burghley House, Belvoir Castle, Grimsthorpe Castle are all nearby
  
• Go golfing at Luffenham Heath, Greetham Valley or Burghley Park

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

The Nest is a wonderful place for families. The farm setting means there are acres of land to run free on, with farm animals, roaming deer and flying geese to spot, and a lake for watersports. The lodges sleep 6, and all three can be booked together if you're coming with extended family.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All lodges have three bedrooms - kids can take either the twin room or the den-like cabin bedroom, which has a kingsize bed and is super cosy inside. Two baby cots can be added to each of the lodges.

Distances:

• Hospital: Peterborough, 10-minute drive
• Grocery shop: 5-minute drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Nest is located on a family farm in Lincolnshire. Stamford is 10km away, Peterborough is 14km away.

By Car:
It's around a 2-hour drive from London, 1hr30 from Birmingham, 2hrs45 from Manchester.

By Train:
The nearest railway station is Stamford (approx 15 minutes by car). You could catch a taxi to the farm from there.

By Air
Fly into London Luton (111km) or London Stansted (112km). It's worth hiring a car from there, as The Nest is located in a rural area.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.