Our Story – How It All Began
People often ask, “How did Hampsley Hollow come to be?”
To truly understand, you have to go back a little further — to 1970, when two friends, Anne and Peggy, bought what was then called New Farm. With big dreams and even bigger hearts, they ran it as a dairy farm with a vision of one day turning it into a riding centre.
That dream came to life. Soon, people from all walks of life came to Hampsley Hollow to learn to ride or study stable management. One of those students was my mum, Jo — who fell in love not only with horses, but with the land itself.
Our family lived in the nearby village until 1991, when my parents became partners in the business and we moved up to Hampsley Hollow full-time. My childhood was a swirl of horsey adventures, long summer days spent with children who came to ride and stay with us. It was a magical time filled with connection, nature, and joy.
In 2008, Mum had an idea. She wanted to plant a woodland in the paddock next to the house. That Mother’s Day, my brother and I bought her 20 fir trees (3 for £10!) — and that was the beginning of what would become a cherished forested space. Raised beds followed. Then came vegetables, chickens, and more trees. Slowly, the landscape transformed.
As the woodland grew, so did our vision. What if we could share this beauty with others?
That idea became Hampsley Hollow Boutique Camping.
In 2014, we took the leap. We seeded the field that had once been too muddy for anything to grow. We bought a bell tent as a test… and it worked. In May 2015, we opened our gates. That same year, the riding centre closed and our focus shifted to the equestrian livery yard — and I qualified as a nurse!
The response was incredible. Our weekends filled quickly, and in 2016 we hosted our first wedding. The following year, my partner Mark and I tied the knot right here, on the bandstand we built (with lots of help from Dad!).
Since then, we’ve added even more trees, watched them grow, and welcomed thousands of guests. From birthday parties and family reunions to DJ nights, inflatable obstacle courses, hot tubs, food vans, and wedding celebrations — every weekend has its own unique energy. Some bring the music, others bring the mindfulness.
Wellness Retreat
In 2025, we launched something new — our first Wellness Retreat.
After having children, I felt the pull to create a new kind of space — one that brought peace, purpose, and renewal. Together with Hannah, a local yoga instructor and sound practitioner, we hosted our first retreat in May.
It was such a success, we’re already planning the next one: 29th–31st August 2025.
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