Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!
Celebrating our tenth season this coming 2026 feels like a milestone worth savouring. What began as a small dream — creating a warm, welcoming lakeside escape where families could truly unwind — has grown into a place full of memories, friendships, and stories we’ll always cherish. Here are some of our favourite moments from our journey to 10 seasons of family‑friendly farm stays.
🌿Season One: The Start of Something Special
Our first season was full of excitement, nerves (we didn’t know if anybody would even come!) and a huge sense of purpose. We’d done a lot of groundwork as a family – literally moving soil, laying the tent bases and the ground-source heating system for the underfloor-heated washrooms! We wanted our guests to feel instantly relaxed the moment they arrived — crisp beds made, cosy duvets ready, and a peaceful space to call home for the week during a balmy Summer.
And then the first few bookings came in, and then more and more until those Summer Holiday weeks of 2017 were almost full! We adored seeing people’s reactions to the tents, the kayaking and the facilities (our current reception hut used to the be the kitchen!). Hearing those early words, “We’ll definitely be back,” reassured us that we were on the right path. Those first visitors helped shape the welcoming atmosphere that has become the heart of our little piece of a UK countryside retreat.
😊Season Two: Familiar Faces, Growing Traditions & Top Awards!
By season two, we had expanded from just four basic tents to six and also our first lakeside cabin with hot tub for couples over on the other lake – we were now an all-year round operation with Sunset Lodge proving very popular. Over on the Glamping lake, we started seeing families return — taller children, new babies, and stories from the year between visits. Some families had met here last year, made friends and booked to come back together! That growing sense of community inspired us to create our much‑loved communal kitchen barn.
Packed with unexpected essentials for guests’ camp-cooking needs, it quickly became the hub of many rainy‑day giggles, fish& chip takeaway suppers and friendly chats. This is when we realised we weren’t just offering accommodation — we were creating a space where families could reconnect and slow down.
Following this season, we were featured in the Yorkshire Post and also announced as finalists in the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards and at a glittering awards ceremony in March 2019, we (very unexpectedly!) won the Self-Catering Accommodation Award – wow – we were all beyond proud!
🫶Season Four-Six: Weathering The Covid Storm
Season four taught us the true meaning of resilience. The Covid pandemic forced closure for the first few months of the 2020 – it was a difficult time for everyone, most guests moved their bookings on until later in the year as by then they were desperate for some fresh air and fun again! With extra cleaning regimes and regulations to keep groups apart, it was certainly a challenging time but oh my goodness it was so good to see people here enjoying the countryside and hearing the sound of joy ringing through the air again from July onwards!
The next few seasons were crazy time, building new Safari Tents, and being incredibly busy as people preferred to stay in the UK rather than travelling abroad. We added another two lodges including a larger one, Evergreen Lodge, for families to enjoy year-round fun, meaning our Christmas/New Year and February Half Terms got filled up pretty quickly too!
✨Season Eight: Two New Lodges Arrive!
By season eight, we’d walked more footpaths and explored more secret coves than we can count. Our walking maps, local tips and “best-kept secrets” quickly became guest favourites. Being able to guide visitors to quiet beaches, scenic trails and must-see viewpoints is one of our favourite parts of hosting. Word spread, and soon we were welcoming guests travelling from further across the UK, all looking for a peaceful self‑catering holiday in the countryside.
Throughout the Winter of 2023-24 we worked on two new stunning lodges, Lookout Lodge and Oak Tree Lodge, which thanks to a huge family & team effort we had opened by end of May 2024. These have proved super popular with guests enjoying the different views and more spacious interiors.
💫Season Ten: A Decade of Memories
Reaching season ten fills us with gratitude. What stands out isn’t the number — it’s the moments:
- children racing across the grass
- couples sharing sunsets
- grandparents telling stories by firelight
- families returning year after year
- people who love the place as much as we do
Seeing guests treat this place like their own is the greatest compliment we could imagine.
As we step into the next chapter, we want to say a heartfelt thank you. Whether you’ve stayed once or many times, you’ve become part of our story.
Here’s to more adventures, more laughter and many more seasons of creating unforgettable memories together!
Jo & all the family team at Kingfisher Lakes
xx