The Forster family have farmed at Newton House Farm since the 1950’s, as times have changed we have had to diversify, like many farming families, by branching out into holiday accommodation. This started in the mid 2000s when my parents renovated the old farmyard into four holiday cottages. 20 years later I decided to continue the diversification by opening a campsite. Although not actually as simple as the idea first seemed; construction taking rather longer than planned, in July 2023 we finally welcomed our first campers!
None of it would be possible without the incredible help and support from this wonderful bunch;
My Dad ‘Farmer Ian’ – although not his chosen nickname, one that has rather stuck; given to him affectionately by our neighbours at Falling Foss Tea Garden. You will probably see Ian out and about around the farm, often accompanied by his little sidekick Jip the Jack Russell.
The campsite would definitely have never come to life without him constantly pushing things forward; organising the supply of our spring water and liaising with various tradesmen to name just a fraction of the things he does to help, not to mention allowing me to take over two of his fields!
My Mum Liz, always there with much needed advice, gained from years of experience running the holiday cottages, being a farmers wife, mum of two (plus several cats, dogs and ponies), an accounts assistant and all round superwomen! Although she tries not to get too involved in the campsite – she’d much rather look after her granddaughter (as well as juggling all the other things she has to do – her influence and ‘behind the scenes’ assistance make it all the more possible for me to succeed.
My Big Brother Rob. So we don’t always agree, sometimes we may even argue… But lets admit that without him there wouldn’t be a campsite; well there wouldn’t be an amenity block, or pods or paths.
He somehow, eventually, found the time to help me build my business whilst also working around the clock building his own farm services empire; one agricultural building at a time!
My incredible fiancé James – what can I say? There is literally nothing he can’t do. A stonemason by trade (you might spot some of his amazing hand-cut stonework around the site) he has worked every spare minute to get the amenity block ready, turning his hand to plastering, tiling, shower boarding and joinery. Not to mention, building walls, putting up fences, cutting the grass and fixing problems whenever they arise!
And then there’s me, Laura, who at 23 had this crazy idea that she could open a campsite! Now here we are 7 years and a baby later, finally up and running and starting our third season. It was my vision to create a peaceful, friendly, welcoming retreat where couples and families could come to escape, to pitch up and just relax and I believe that is what we have begun to create and I can’t wait to continue to grow and develop it further in the years to come!
