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About us

Where we've been and where we're going

Want to know a little more about us and how Tapnell Farm came to be? It's a story worth sharing.

The story begins with a family farm, a herd of dairy cows and a deep connection to the West Wight countryside. Over the years, Tapnell has evolved into a place where people come to stay, play, eat and explore, while remaining firmly rooted in its farming heritage.

Aerial view of two wooden cabins with decking set among lush gardens and countryside

Our farm

From a busy family farm to a beloved family attraction

The story of Tapnell Farm is the story of the Turney Family, whose farming heritage stretches back more than 100 years.

In 1982, we took over the care of Tapnell Farm and its neighbouring East Afton Farm. At its peak, the farm milked 800 cows and produced 24,000 litres of milk, 365 days of the year.

Today, the farm is run by brothers-in-law Tom Turney and Tom Honeyman-Brown. We no longer milk cows at Tapnell, but under the guidance of the Toms, the farm has become something even more extraordinary.

Tapnell Farm is now the Isle of Wight's leading eco-tourism business – the home of award-winning glamping accommodation, luxury holiday cottages and acres of people-powered fun.

Here, you'll find Tapnell Farm Park – an all-ages attraction loved by families far and wide. The Cow Restaurant, with its award-winning burgers and succulent steaks. The Island's only outdoor Aqua Park. And a host of adventurous, all-ages activities like football and frisbee golf, padel tennis and clay pigeon shooting.

Making Tapnell what it is today has taken lots of hard work. But farming is our passion – and sharing our love of the land is just what we do. Every day, we dream up new ways to make Tapnell Farm even better. Join our mailing list and you'll be the first to know what's next.

Two men standing by a wire fence in a grassy field at Tapnell Farm, smiling at the camera.

A tale of two Toms

Celebrating 10+ years of family-run, people-powered fun

'In 2022, we marked 10 years since we transformed our family business from a dairy farm into a family-friendly destination for visitors and locals alike.

'From the start, our ethos has been to create "maximum enjoyment with minimum impact on the environment". This has been true from the construction of our glamping safari tents in 2012 to the Aqua Park enjoyed by so many today.

'We've never had a grand plan. We've just wanted to grow organically and to create a unique and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy the farm as we did. That meant fresh air, stunning views and space to explore – all while trying to keep everything rustic and in keeping.

'Today, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Tapnell. Whether you're visiting for the day or staying over, we wish you a very happy holiday and lots of people-powered fun.'

The Toms

Sustainability

How we look after the land we love

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. The golden rule for us is to pass on our farm in better environmental and productive health than it was when our tenure began.

That's why we supply the farm using water from our own borehole. It's why we use solar electricity to power hundreds of homes. And it's why we fuel our heating systems using our own state-of-the-art biomass boiler.

And this is just the start. Learn more about how we look after our land, the Island and the people who use it.

Sustainability at Tapnell Farm

Set in the heart of the West Wight countryside, Tapnell Farm is surrounded by rolling fields, woodland and some of the Island's most spectacular scenery.

Just next door, our sister farm, East Afton Farm played host to the famous 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, where hundreds of thousands of music fans gathered to watch legendary performances from artists including Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Joni Mitchell.

Today, the surrounding landscape remains one of the most special parts of the Island, with chalk downland, ancient woodland, coastal views and miles of countryside to explore.

Cows grazing in a grassy field at sunset

How we're shaping the future of agriculture

Inspiring a new generation of responsible, ethical land users

Our ethos is that each generation passes on the farm and the land in better health than when they started.

It's a sentiment shared by most in the farming community. And as the latest in a long lineage of farmers, we see it as our responsibility to share it with our visitors, too.

Through sustainable farming, renewable energy projects and opportunities to spend time outdoors, we're always looking for ways to help people connect with the countryside and the world around them.

If visitors leave with a greater appreciation for farming, nature and the landscape we call home, we'll consider that a job well done.

Conservation on the Farm