Hull-O Farms — Hotel in Town of Durham

I’ve started this review several times and always get interrupted…so let’s try this again!||In January 2023, I turned 60. My family—my husband, my 33 year old daughter, her 34 year old husband, my 31 year old son, my 36 year old stepson and my 30 year old stepdaughter—presented me with a photo of Hull-O Farms and a description of the weekend we’d spend there in July. I was overjoyed! First of all, I’ve wanted to milk a cow since I was a small child. Second, I absolutely adore “farm country”—rolling hills, no cities for miles, the sounds of chirping birds, gorgeous breezes, mooing cows, crowing roosters—all of it. And I can’t think of anything I love more than spending time with my family. ||We arrived on a Friday afternoon and upon check in, were introduced to Miss Sherry and her husband, Farmer Frank. Talk about feeling like you’ve known people for a hundred years—this wonderful couple made us feel right at home immediately. We walked outside and met Jared, one of their sons who helps them on the farm. He answered all of our questions with knowledge and a very dry sense of humor (which we happen to love). We moseyed on over to the Gifford House, which was absolutely perfect for our family! It had many places for people to gather (or escape)…a generously sized front sitting room, a den, a large kitchen with a huge farm table that comfortably fit all 7 of us with room to spare. Everything was decorated just as you’d want it to be…a sweet, charming country vibe. And did I mention how clean it was? Everything was immaculate, which is so important to me. They provided a HUGE basket of goodies, which included Miss Sherry’s own “The Farmer’s Wife” brand of pancakes (that were AMAZING). There were also a dozen fresh eggs from the farm in the fridge, along with a pack of homemade sausage in the freezer. They also provided coffee (also in the freezer where it stays the freshest). Speaking of the coffee, my only complaint is that I had a little difficulty setting the coffee maker, as most of the buttons were faded (and it seemed to have a lot of them)! But somehow, we managed to get our fresh brewed java anyway, and Folgers never tasted so good. Everything tastes and smells and looks better on the farm.||That night, we ran into town to eat and participate in Karaoke. When we got home, we chatted for a bit and went to bed. We all got a great night’s sleep and the beds were cozy and comfortable. ||By 8am on Saturday, we had eaten Miss Sherry’s wonderful pancakes and headed over to do some farm chores. What a joy!! We got to bottle feed a baby cow, then milk what I’m assuming was probably it’s mom. We hand fed hay to the goats and elks, we hung out with the chickens and attempted to gather eggs (there was a family there just visiting for the morning who kind of hogged them all on us, but what can you do).||We then took a “hay ride” on Farmer Frank’s tractor as he toured us around their massive acreage and told us stories of farm history and heritage. ||After that, a few of the kids went off to help Jared cut a corn maze (be warned—this involves machetes and is an adult activity), while the rest of us went back to the Gifford house to relax. And let me tell you—if you can’t relax at the Gifford house, well…I feel sorry for you. Time literally stood still there, and on the entire farm in general. At one point that afternoon, I found myself behind the main house napping on a hammock, a sweet breeze swaying me to and fro. My son and son-in-law sat in the yard on the picnic table and took turns plucking out song sections on the guitar. ||And there was more guitar sing-a-longs to be had as we and another family (staying at the Rose House) gathered behind our lodging for a sing along and S’mores with Ron (if I’m remembering his name correctly). We had a blast! Ron was hilarious, the weather was perfect, the sunset heavenly. ||After that, we went into the kitchen and played spoons (the card game, not the utensils) and laughed till we cried. When we got up the next morning, we were all a little slow and sad to leave—even the cat, who seemed to guard the outside of our house since we got there, saw us packing the cars and sadly walked away (just kidding—apparently, she adopts every family at the Gifford house and we were not as special to her as we thought). ||We said our good-byes to Sherry, Frank and Jared, but not before the guys went shopping in the “Meat Shed”—a shed filled with frozen meats and poultry from the farm (vegans—this is a live, working farm, and may not be the right place for you). While they were in there, I struck up a conversation with Sherry that was truly blessed. She’s an amazing woman with an amazing story, and I promise you will fall in love with her as we all did. ||This was one of our best vacations ever, even though it was a short stay. Don’t have young kids? Go anyway. You’re never too old to learn how hard American farmers work to keep food on the table. And you’re never too old to learn how to milk a cow…trust me. Hull-O Farms is an amazing farm stay...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at a delightful farm stay, and I cannot express how truly exceptional the experience was. From the moment I arrived, I felt a sense of tranquility and warmth that is hard to find elsewhere.

First and foremost, the farm itself was an absolute gem. Nestled amidst picturesque rolling hills, it was a sight to behold. The lush greenery, charming farm animals, and beautifully maintained gardens created a serene and inviting ambiance. It was a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The accommodations were simply outstanding. My room was cozy, impeccably clean, and thoughtfully designed. The rustic decor added a touch of charm, and the comfortable bed ensured a restful sleep each night. I particularly loved the attention to detail, such as the fresh flowers in the room and the homemade treats that awaited me upon arrival. It truly felt like a home away from home.

The hosts of the farm stay were incredibly welcoming and went above and beyond to make my stay memorable. Their passion for farming and dedication to sustainable practices were truly inspiring. They were always available to provide valuable insights about the farm, its history, and the surrounding area. It was a joy to learn from them and witness their genuine love for what they do.

One of the highlights of my stay was the farm-to-table dining experience. The meals prepared with ingredients straight from the farm were an absolute delight. The flavors were exquisite, and the farm-fresh produce added a whole new dimension to each dish. It was a true farm-to-fork experience that I will cherish for a long time.

The farm activities offered were engaging and educational. I had the opportunity to participate in activities like milking cows, collecting eggs, and even learning about organic gardening. It was a wonderful hands-on experience that deepened my appreciation for sustainable farming practices.

Last but not least, the farm stay provided ample opportunities for relaxation and connection with nature. The sprawling grounds were perfect for leisurely walks, and the breathtaking sunsets were a sight to behold. I found solace in the peacefulness of the farm, recharging my mind and body.

In conclusion, my stay at this farm stay was truly exceptional. It exceeded all my expectations and left me with cherished memories. If you are seeking an authentic farm experience, a tranquil escape, and the warm embrace of nature, I wholeheartedly recommend this farm stay. It is a true hidden gem that deserves all the praise it receives. I am already counting down the days until...

Overall, our experience was very positive. We showed up around 4pm on a Thursday. Sherry greated us and gave us a quick overview of the farm, which animals were there, how to handle them, etc. She also provided a rough schedule of when specific "chores" would be done around the farm and a basket with jam, eggs, tea bags, and pancake mix. We went to our house (the Griffin house). It had 3 bedrooms with queen beds and a bedroom with a bunk bed and 2 twins (deemed the kid's room). There were 2 rooms to lounge in, 2 bathrooms, and a mudroom with a washer and dryer. Linens, towels, toilet paper, little soaps and shampoos were also provided. When we walked in the house it was really hot but we found 2 fans in a closet and an AC window unit that we setup in the bedroom. We also had an issue with wasps getting into one of the rooms. Sherry gave us some bug spray and her husband suggested a fly swatter (this was a bit of an adventure because we got about 10 wasps in our room at various points throughout the vacation). We also had a camp fire one night in the fire pit out back. We had some chopped logs on our porch. (I suggest bringing an axe because we had to split some of the logs before burning them.) If you don't mind getting a bit dirty and doing a bit of your own work, this is a great place. However, if you are expecting to get pampered, this is not the vacation for you. The farm wasn't far from howe caverns (great tourist location but a bit pricey). We spent a day walking the Windham path (beautiful scenery). I should also mention the animals at the farm. This was the only thing that was slightly underwhelming. We had the opportunity to feed the pigs, rabbits, and sheep, but this was just having the kids throw some hay over a fence. The kittens don't really interact with the kids at all because they are quite skiddish. There were a few dogs tied up in the back but we were told they would jump on us so we never had a chance to approach. If you want a chance to interact a bit more with animals and learn more we had a great experience over at K&K Equistrian center (located close to Hull O farm). I highly recommend this place but it seems like you would have more "farm chores" around the June timeframe (we went in early May when the rates...