Hilserhof

An incredible experience staying on a genuine farm in the heart of the Black Forest. It is so peaceful and yet very close to all the tourist attractions. Loads for the kids to do on the farm: feeding the animals, horse riding, pizza oven nights, and swimming in the trout pond. A very very relaxing holiday for all of us. Barbara and Bernd were so welcoming and friendly - there was no need to move from our tent all day. We will definitely be back!

The Hilserhof is a working farm, it is friendly and allows older children to roam around and feed the animals etc.. The shop is basic but you can buy daily produce, though sparse. But I did not feel it fit to host the type of holiday Feather Down offers. The farm is FILTHY, I mean FILTHY. The cow shed must be seen to be believed of how they have let is become. All animals live in dirty conditions due to lack of maintaining. I don't think it has EVER been cleaned. _x000D_ _x000D_ The actual tent is wonderful, in every way. We took the luxury tent therefore managed to eat out on the veranda at night whilst it rained. Having the extra decking allowed us to continue bbq. I felt that this should be a standard throughout ALL tents. We were the only ones who could enjoy the outside in the rain because of this added feature. It really wouldn't cost that much to add this extra detail, allowing ALL tents to enjoy cooking outside whatever the weather._x000D_ Now, even more importantly was the positioning of the tents at Hilserhof, Black forest. Our exit lead directly to a narrow path where stood cows, nettles 1 metre high and no space for us to step out or for children to play for the electric fence being 2 metres away from the tent's entrance. There is no way your small children can play directly in front of the tent so they have to stay inside! It is not is a spacious field like the pictures will have you believe but really a cow pat covered field with an electric fence. We had to go "out" so as the small ones could play. We had to walk down the side of our tent along a nettle filled thin path, child stung every time, just to get out._x000D_ _x000D_ If they only would take care of the grounds and make some adjustments here and there then it could be so much better. There was even a stream running next to our tent unobtainable due to overgrowth of nettles and brambles so the children couldn't even play in the stream. Such a pity, just care is needed. Cut back the nettles allow children to access the stream, allow the space in front of the tents for people/children, not cut off for the cows only.

Hospitality good. Unfortunate weather. Site very limited in a tight, steep valley. Last year went to French site and facilities better. Also paid for tent to be made up on arrival and only half done. Needed to buy pepper and salt, coffee for the grinder etc all of which were there FOC at French site. Could have been just our good luck last time but meant we only brought half our supplies. Site feels less tended to and more run down. Great farm dog which was a firm favourite for our children.