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Join our fun and friendly family on a beautiful farm near Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, UK

United Kingdom
Favourited 349 times
Last activity: 23 Apr 2024

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
11
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Availability

2024

Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Description
We are a fun and busy family of 5! Myself and my husband are both veterinary surgeons and we live on a beautiful 20 acre farm just outside Newmarket in Cambridgeshire. We have 3 amazing children (ages 11, 9 and 7 years), 2 dogs, 3chickens, 3 horses and 3 ponies.

I run our busy lives and the farm but also work sporadically for a local equine business. My husband works in one of the local large equine hospitals, and with the vast number of horses in and around Newmarket, he is a busy man!

We love the outdoors and life on the farm. We also enjoy a various sports including horse riding, tennis, cycling, swimming and skiing. I am a committee member for our local tennis club and organise a junior tennis coaching programme.The children take part in various activities during the week and the older two are members of our local pony club. We love socialising, seeing our friends, meeting new peoplle and, of course... family time.!

We are are looking for the right person to welcome into our family home and help out with the day to day running of all of our busy lives.

Experience with HORSES required.
We are looking for FEMALE candidates only.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Teaching
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As we are looking for somebody with an interest in horses, Newmarket ‘The Home of Racing’ would certainly tick a lot of boxes! This area is packed with horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes. You would have the opportunity to visit a local stud farm, go to the famous Newmarket gallops and go behind the scenes at one of Europe’s largest and busiest equine hospitals.

Other near by places include The market town of Bury St Edmunds, the Cathedral town of Ely and the stunning and historical city of Cambridge.
London is also easily accessible. It takes approximately 1 hour to get there by train from our local station.

If you would like to visit the UK, experience English culture, live in the country and be part of our fun and friendly family then please do contact us. We would love to hear from you.
Au Pair Help
This host has let us know they’ll be complying with UK regulations for au pair stays.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Childcare
Look after the children at home: playing with them, homework, mealtimes and bedtime, cooking/baking (some general basic cooking experience required to occasionally make some meals for the children).

Home - general duties including tidy toys away, hang out / take in washing, empty dishwasher, cleaning, cooking.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We live in a large farmhouse situated in the middle of 20 acreas of grass paddocks. Our guest would have their own king size double bedroom with ensuite. They would share our kitchen and living area with the rest of the family. If they would prefer they could have the use of their own living room in the evenings.
They would receive their food during the course of their stay which would be typically British.
We are always open to new ideas and recipes should they wish to bring any! Although we are not vegetarian we do eat lot of fruit and vegetables and would be more than happy to accommodate anybody who is.
What else ...
Stanstead is our closest airport which is approximately 45 minutes away and we would be happy to pick you up from there.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
No limit on space
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 197259655798

Feedback (8)

10 Oct 2022

Left by Workawayer (Jella) for host

First of all, thank you so so much Jane and Rich for having me for 9 weeks at the farm and for this incredible and wonderful experience! I felt home and as the older sister of the family since day 1 & never felt like a booked worker or something. Georgia, Emily and Finlay are absolut adorable and so funny (I miss the good old "macaroni… read more

(Excellent )

18 Sep 2022

Left by Workawayer (Gloria) for host

I agree with Sophie, 5 stars are not enough! I feel very grateful for having the chance to live for a month with this wonderful family :). It was my first workaway experience and I wasn't sure about what to expect. It turned out to be one of the best experiences I've ever had! Jane helped me from the beginning. She's now a really inspiring person… read more

(Excellent )

13 Sep 2021

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host

Jane, Rich, Georgia, Emily and Finlay man, all I could manage to say was thank you on the last day simply because words could not describe how grateful I was to have spent a month with you all.

Coming from the city streets of Oxford and London, the farm was already a breath of fresh air, but being fully immersed into your family and farm life… read more was more like a wave of refreshing energy and experiences (more than I could have asked for). From the first day, I felt like I had known the kids for ages! They quickly took charge in showing me around the place and getting me acquainted with all of the animals (including Shoogie's adorable and chaotic pups!). I cherished the daily walks with Poppy and Shoogie down to the brook and around the fields and getting the opportunity to ride! From feeding, grooming, and poo picking the fields (which is surprisingly therapeutic and definitely a strength-building exercise) to setting up fences, harrowing the arena and making sure everything is watered and working, I learnt a lot about the inner workings of life on a farm. During my (too short) of a stay, I had access to a lovely ensuite bedroom with the comfiest bed I have likely ever slept in and Jane made sure to always ask if there is anything food or otherwise related that she could help with.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything from the weekend cricket games to baking and cooking in the kitchen, to the many hours spent in the conservatory tackling the infamous puzzle! Some of my favourite times however were watching the girls competing on the weekends at riding shows. The determination they have is definitely a product of watching their extremely hardworking parents. Jane, who is the heart of the house is one of the most welcoming and genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and I miss our evening destress sessions occasionally watching 'the show' (which will remain unnamed to maintain our dignity). And Rich, who is certainly the heart and soul of the farm. At pretty much any hour of the day he is on his feet at work (which I had the absolute pleasure to visit and witness a surgery! a lot of gore but it was a stimulating experience I will not soon forget), doing jobs on the farm (often accompanied by the enthusiastic Finlay) or spending time with the kids. I truly admire him and his approach to and outlook on life.

All in all, I would just like to say a truly massive thank you! I know I will see you again in the not too far off future and possibly one day seeing you all in South Africa!
All the love and hugs, Ella xxx

(Excellent )

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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

10 Oct 2022

Left by Workawayer (Jella) for host

(Excellent )

18 Sep 2022

Left by Workawayer (Gloria) for host

(Excellent )

13 Sep 2021

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host

(Excellent )

8 Aug 2021

Left by Workawayer (Pip) for host

Jane and Rich are two of the most open, generous, and friendly people I have ever met! They welcomed me into their family so immediately this spring and I felt at home right from the start of my 6-week stay.  

Their home is lovely, with a gorgeous brook where you can walk the dogs (which are two of the sweetest dogs ever) and quiet surrounding… read more lanes. They have a trio of mares (and 2 cheeky ponies!) that are all very good to handle and move etc. I even had the opportunity to ride Jane’s horse Inka which was a real treat! She is lovely to ride, and getting to hack out around the fields with Jane was so nice.  

On a daily basis I checked the chickens and collected eggs, walked and fed the dogs, looked after the ponies (poo picking, feeding, getting in and turning out, mucking out, and sometimes putting on the walker) and did odd little bits of housework (emptying the dishwasher, hanging out clothes etc.). I also did some gardening and tack cleaning over the time I was there, and tried to keep their tadpoles alive! Some evenings I looked after the children for a few hours and made their dinner (always very quick and easy), and at weekends I often helped the children get to and from tennis and got ponies ready for pony club outings/lessons. The children rode around their place some evenings which was lovely, and I helped out where I could although the girls are very self-sufficient! They were also both really keen to try new things with the ponies, including learning how to vault which they both aced! Jane and Rich were very careful to never ask too much, and there was lots of downtime to relax/work on your own projects.

Richard is indeed very busy (and runs on a superhumanly-low amount of sleep!) but will always take the time to explain an interesting case at work and check that everything is ok. He also offered for me to come in to his work which I really enjoyed, even if it has given me a bit of a career crisis! I also had the chance to spend a day at Jane’s work which was amazing - I had never seen so many gorgeous horses in one place before!

  I was lucky to have my own transport and so took the opportunity to head into Newmarket to see the morning rides up the gallops, and also spent a day in Cambridge which is very pretty. Jane was also more than happy to offer me a lift if there was somewhere else I wanted to go (: I had to dash away for a few days over a weekend for family but Jane and Rich were both really easy-going about me leaving at such short notice which I was really grateful for. 

I am vegetarian and Jane and Rich were incredibly accommodating of this. Jane always made sure that I had everything I wanted to eat (and more!) and was always happy to have a vegetarian meal in the evening. I should mention as well - Jane’s cooking is amazing and I have taken several of her recipes home! They even ate the odd meal that I cooked without grimacing too much ;)

Overall, I had a great time with Jane, Rich, and family, and they were all so welcoming. They lead busy lives but Jane has it all organised (even if she says she doesn’t), and I look forward to seeing them again soon!

(Excellent )

1 Jul 2021

Left by Workawayer (Octavia) for host

Dear Jane and dear Rich

I don’t know where to start…
I had amazing 3 month at your place and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I was part of your family from the time I did my first step into your house and that’s what I love the most about you.
I spend 3 months on the farm of Jane and Rich from October until January 2021 during Covid. I actually… read more

(Excellent )

5 Apr 2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Barbara & Alban)

Barbara came to live with us for 6 weeks. She was polite, kind, hard working, fun and a wonderful addition to have in our family. She was great with the children and kindly gave them regular French lessons. She was fantastic with the animals and very very trustworthy. She has good common sense and would do whatever was asked of her. She is a very… read more

(Excellent )

5 Apr 2021

Left by Workawayer (Barbara & Alban) for host

The Farm was my first Workaway, the family are the most amazing people I have ever met. Always nice, kind, caring, so funny! Despite my English not perfect, they take the time to listen and rehearse, they are very patient. I didn't expect to like my experience so much. I absolutely love everything about them, thank you Rich for making me discover… read more

(Excellent )

14 Jan 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Louana & Yacine )

Lou was such an amazing Workaway, more than we had ever wished for. She was our first Workaway and we were not quite sure what to expect. She was an absolute delight to have around. She is a lovely, helpful, hard working, kind and considerate person. She loved working on the farm and she helped me so much with all my daily chores. She was also… read more

(Excellent )

6 Aug 2019

Left by Workawayer (Louana & Yacine ) for host

I had amazing weeks while staying with Jane’s family: they have welcomed me in their home so nicely, giving me their entire trust from the beginning and I immediately felt like a family member.

I loved the jobs I had to do there ; so much to see and do :) poo picking in the morning, some tack cleaning, moving paddocks (even riding which I am… read more very very grateful for), walking the dogs, watering the plants, picking the eggs, helping with the children at home and at their holidays activities… Lovely landscapes, amazing family and remarkable animals. None of those jobs were imposed to me and it just felt really good to be able to help them in their busy life.

They were always making sure that I was having enough food (which was absolutely delicious, always fruits and vegetables to eat!) that I was having enough sleep (I had my own bedroom and bathroom with a very very comfortable bed) that I had everything I needed and that I was safe.

Jane is always going from one place to another; the first week the kids were still going to school, then they did some fun activities (pony club, triathlon, swimming and tennis lessons…) and I had the pleasure to go and see them.
It truly felt like I was the older sister of their three kids, they were helping me in the jobs, showing me how to do them, I loved my time with them; even though it is a lot of patience and work to be around three kids of 3, 5 and 7 years old (I really admire Jane's patience and everyday work). I miss the reading before bed, I miss the water battles in the garden, and the cuddles in the morning.

Jane and her husband are genuinely very good persons, they have very busy lives, but were always there to have good talks and a meal together at night (oh I really miss those), they were super careful that I understood everything and they were always there to explain what I didn't understood. They introduced me to their close friends, which are very very kind people.

I had the chance to visit a local stud farm, visit Newmarket (for horse’s lovers it is the perfect place) and go to her husband's work which was absolutely incredible! The welcome I received by the family, and the adventures I had, while helping out, far exceeded what I had hoped !

As a vet student I had the chance to learn a lot as Jane and her husband are very good at explaining and sharing their passion, which I am really grateful for.
Sharing their life was really inspiring and motivating, I miss my time with them. I have beautiful memories and I can't wait the next time I'm going to see them.

My door will always be open to them, wherever I am in the world. I don’t have enough words to thank you and to tell you how much I like you and how happy I am to have met you and to have you in my life.

Lots of love,
Lou

(Excellent )

14 Jan 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie )

Sophie was an absolute delight to have around. She is such a lovely, fun, friendly, kind and considerate person. She is a hard worker and did everything she was asked to do. Her riding ability is fabulous and she really helped me with all of my horsey jobs. She was also great with the children and they loved having her around to play with. She… read more

(Excellent )

25 Dec 2019

Left by Workawayer (Sophie ) for host

Dear Jane and dear Rich,

I truely believe that 5 stars are still not enough.. where should I start? First of all I want to thank you the hundredth time for my incredible time withyou..
Honestly I loved everything about my time .. I loved my daily work with the horses, riding Inca and Lotti was just so much fun and so instructive! I am still so… read more proud of Lottis progress.. seeing a young horse developing is really the most beautiful thing in the world.. and also Inca- you cannot believe how much I miss her!! But what I miss the most about my work are my daily walks the dogs- Not having a dog at home right now just feels so wrong and so sad. I am still planning of convincing you to get puppies from my beloved Shougi (I don´t have a clue how to spell her name hahah). They always appreciated my work and it felt good to help them in their busy lifes, giving me their entire trust from the beginning on.

Rich, Jane and their amazing kids became like a second family for me and during my stay I really felt like a bigger sister for the kids. Of course, working with children is not always easy, but it was so much fun and a pleasure to see how those incredibly lovable children rise with every day. I enjoyed coloring, playing, riding, baking and also the goodnight stories with them. Please,Jane, give them some kisses from me :) Jane and Rich are so lovely and they always reassure you are happy and have everything you need!! I loved our evening with just chatting, delicious supper and of course some good wine ;) Jane and Rich are both really relaxed and flexible and I had the chance to visit London, Cambridge and Newmarket a couple times which I am really thankful for! But not only that.. I was even able to come to work with Jane and Rich. Both, Tattersalls and Rossdales, was just so amazing and interesting to see and especially if you love horses this is the place to go I guess :))
I am still watching my pictures and videos of you and I just miss you a lot!! <3

During my stay I learned a lot and I got to know so many lovely and nice people.. thank you for that. Ohhh and not to forget: my veeery nice room where I felt so cozy and honestly this was the most comfortable bed in the world which you could tell by my sleeping habits ;)

All in all this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my whole life. You are a second family and there is no doubt I'm going to come back to your place!!
My feedback is really unstructured but I just get tears in my eyes by just remembering all of these wonderwonderwonderful memories and maybe I can help some other workaways with just reassuring that this is an incredible family to stay :)
Rich, Jane, Georgia, Emily and Finlay you are all more than welcome to visit me in Germany any time and I really hope to see you again soon!!
Much love xxxxx Sophie

(Excellent )

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Join our fun and friendly family on a beautiful farm near Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, UK

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Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Au Pair Help

Projects involving children

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Space for parking camper vans

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (8)

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