The Cud Life

08/10/2026

New Year’s Eve is filling up at The Cud Life ✨
I'm loving the updated aerial shots and campers photos from last week, which also reminded me I better mention New Year.

It’s always such a lovely and popular night with our campers and guests as you get a front row seat to all the fireworks across the valley. We loved heading down to the benches last year for a midnight chat (yes, we relax lights out at 10.30pm on this night only!) and welcoming in the New Year together while the whole valley lights up.

If you’re thinking of joining us, I’d recommend booking your pitch now to avoid disappointment.

We’ve also have cottage availability: Cowslip from 28th December and Buttercup Byre from 27th December if anyone fancies a cosy post‑Christmas or New Year’s break.

https://thecudlife.co.uk/cottages/
https://thecudlife.co.uk/campsite-booking/

26/09/2026

It’s with much gratitude for their huge effort and time, but heavy hearts to let our Cud Life family know that Hay Cafe will be closing on Saturday 3rd October.
We have so loved having Hay Cafe on site- Alex, Ralph and the team’s passion has been second to none, delivering tasty treats and a welcoming atmosphere, all of which can still be found at their sister site, Black Mulberry in Knaresborough.
Please read more from Alex below. Thankyou again for all the laughs, funny memories and support, love Rachel x
PS: we are still to decide what will continue or begin in the absence of Hay Cafe on site, but please watch this space x

A closure announcement:

After 18 wonderful months, we’ve made the incredibly difficult choice to close the barn doors here at HAY.

This hasn’t been an easy decision. We’ve poured so much love, time and energy into creating a place for people to enjoy good food, good coffee and good company. We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us, visited us, recommended us and become part of our cafe community.

Ultimately, we’ve had to take a long hard look at life since Alex’s cancer diagnosis and right now, we need to put her health and wellbeing first and give ourselves time and space to properly recover from the whirlwind we’ve experienced in the last year.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created over the past 18 months, the fantastic team we’ve built and even more grateful for all the wonderful people we’ve met along the way. ❤️

Next week will be our last. We’ll be reducing our hours slightly to 9-3pm & we will close the doors for the final time on Saturday 3rd October. We’d love to see you before then so if you have chance please drop by and enjoy a final coffee with us.

Any outstanding Gift Vouchers can be redeemed in this time or please feel free to get in touch and we’ll transfer the balance to Black Mulberry for you.

Thank you for every coffee, every meal, every chat and every bit of support. You’ve made these 18 months so special, and we’ll never forget it.

With love and gratitude,�
Team HAY

19/08/2026

We’ve been really pleased to see how popular the Cud Life stickers have become and we’ve already had some brilliant photos sent in. We’d love to see more of where they end up across the UK, Europe and beyond.

If you’re staying with us, just ask Mark or me for a sticker. We love seeing where they travel to, so feel free to email your photos to [email protected], add in comments below or tag us. We’ll be adding them to our webpage along with any campsite or places to visit recommendations you send in.

Happy Travelling!

Rachel x
https://thecudlife.co.uk/the-cud-life-on-tour/

10/08/2026

23/07/2026

So, in true Cud Life fashion, the day started with a laugh. This morning’s task was getting Mark to pose for a photo in his summer crocs and “uniform” to welcome in the Summer Holidays. Once he finally realised I wasn’t asking for a swimsuit shoot (he needed a bit of guidance that this was not the appropriate pose for showcasing crocs) we eventually got the right shot on his social seating. Hopefully you’ll all enjoy a b**r and a chuckle with him there over the summer.

We’ve also had some lovely returning guests and businesses staying this week for The Home & Gift Show. We absolutely adore the Wallace & Gromit cuddle toys and Feathers hat from Chunki Chilli (especially being en route to Wensleydale Creamery, where lots of guests head for a day out). And for campers looking for a summer craft, the camping themed cross stitches from Bothythreads are brilliant.

We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone this summer and we promise Mark won’t be dressing up like he did in that last photo to impress the hens.

Rachel x

https://www.chunkichilli.com/find-a-product/
https://www.bothythreads.com/shop/kits/road-trip

10/06/2026

Mi chevolars

Yes, you read that right. And when Mark kept saying he was off home to get “mi chevolars”, I genuinely had no idea what he was on about and thought he was auditioning for a Max and Paddy remake. I couldn't stop laughing each time he said it.

Turns out 'mi chevolars' (correct spelling: chevellers) are for digging post holes and Mark has put his pride and joy to very good use.

We now have a lovely seating area in the main field for anyone who fancies a b**r and a chat on an evening (and for those here on New Year’s Eve, a perfect spot to watch the fireworks).

Mi chevolars have also been used to make a little bench halfway down the track to the bus stop, should anyone want a mid way breather .

A big thank you to Mark and to my resident builder/ husband, Matt for making the seating dreams come true. And if you ever want a laugh, just ask Mark about his chevolars 😊...

Rachel x

30/05/2026

All setups welcome at The Cud Life: vans, motorhomes, campervans, caravans, roof top tents, tent on tour bikers and we love seeing conversions….ambulances and maybe even an ex military overlander which also appeared on a marvel movie .
And now suns out, when you get here, there’s fresh mint waiting… for a Pimms or a herbal tea before bed.

26/05/2026

Countdown on, looking forward to a smashing coffee on Friday. 🥰

FRIDAY 29th 9AM

OUR DOORS REOPEN

It’s been a long couple of months but we’re finally back!

📍Spruisty Hall Farm, Ripon Road, Killinghall, HG3 2AU

Look forward to seeing you all soon. ☀️🌾

11/05/2026

A huge thank you for all your kind reviews and ongoing support, it genuinely means so much to us as a small family run business💛

We are always pleased to see comments on the warm (Mark) welcome, the peaceful and well kept site, spotless showers, the friendly atmosphere and mention of hens and cows who like to say hello 🐔🐮

We’ve now added the hens’ names to the board, each one has her own leg band colour so you can easily spot who’s who.

Also as we are just a mile and half from Harrogate town centre, you can have a takeaway delivered to the campsite (recommendations in toilet block) and have excellent 5G mobile signal, so you can enjoy the countryside without missing your home comforts.

We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone throughout the summer, with exciting events and whole site bookings including Crochet Camp at the start of September.

06/05/2026

Looking forward to seeing HAY Cafe reopening it's doors end of May 🥰🥰

The Barn Doors will soon be back open.

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