Volunteering for couples – help out on a farm stay

Free Volunteering

1 month ago

Escape to our idyllic farm, nestled on the edge of Cumbria’s breathtaking Lake District National Park in the UK. Enjoy the tranquility of nature and experience the peace contributing to our daily tasks. Join us!

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Volunteering for couples – requirements & tasks

Our farm, steeped in history, dates back to the mid-1600s. While it’s seen many renovations and additions over the centuries, some areas still retain their rustic charm and could use a little TLC!
Our family, consisting of my mother, sister, nephew, and myself, runs both farmhouse holiday accommodations and a Friesian horse equestrian center. We have exciting plans for the future of the farm, but currently, we could use an extra hand with the daily tasks that keep everything running smoothly.

We warmly welcome couples, friends, or individual travelers to join our family farm in the heart of the Lake District. As a relaxed yet hardworking family, we strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for all our guests, visitors, and helpers. We value individuals who are self-motivated and can follow instructions independently.

Please note that we primarily communicate in English, although we occasionally remember a few French phrases. We have been registered with another volunteer site since 2017 and have received 100% positive feedback from all our volunteers.

The location

Our farm is located near the village of Cartmel. In Cartmel, you can find a small racecourse, several restaurants, Black Horses Ltd, and the famous Sticky Toffee Pudding. It’s a 20-minute walk to the village, where you can also find a grocery store and pubs popular with locals and tourists.

The nearest town is Kendal, which is about a 20-minute drive away. You can also get there by bus or train from the nearby village of Grange-over-Sands.

The farm has great views of the Cartmel Valley. The Lake District weather is a bit unpredictable and can be sunny, rainy, or windy.

Responsibilities

We need help with various tasks on our farm. These include:

Building maintenance/carpentry: This could involve decorating, plumbing, and roofing.
Gardening/field maintenance: Tasks include clearing overgrown plants, cutting hedges, basic tree work, weeding, and potentially dry stone walling if you have the skills. You’ll need waterproof clothing as this work is outdoors in all types of weather.
Cleaning: This includes cleaning the house and cottage, and helping to prepare meals for my elderly mother.

Experience in these areas is helpful, but not required. What we value most is enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude.

You’ll work for about 35 hours per week.

Additional information

Our farm is a great base for exploring the beautiful Lake District. While there aren’t many buses that pass through our village, we’re happy to drive you to a nearby village with more frequent bus and train connections. The closest train station is in Grange-over-Sands, just a 10-minute drive away.

We have horses, pet sheep, and dogs on the farm. Our neighbor also grazes his cattle and sheep on our land. We have enough help with the horses, but you’re welcome to spend time with them in your free time (riding is not available).

Lastly, we can’t help with visa applications.

Volunteering for couples – what we offer

We offer our helpers a comfortable touring caravan that can accommodate up to two people. The caravan is equipped with a seating area, a separate shower and toilet, and cooking facilities. We’ll provide basic food supplies for you to prepare your own meals in the caravan, and we’d love for you to join us for dinner once a week.

You’ll also have access to a washing machine and tumble dryer, and we’ll provide all necessary bed linens.

Since we’re a working farm, things can get muddy, so be sure to bring sturdy footwear, waterproof clothing, and gloves for outdoor work.

We have Wi-Fi in most areas of the farm and buildings, but it doesn’t reach the caravan.