The Cud Life

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 beer 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.

For those of you subscribing to our newsletter make sure to check your emails.

Want to keep up with all our news - go to our website to subscribe to all our latest news. www.hayharrogate.co.uk.

22/04/2026

Cowslip Availability May, June, July

Cowslip Cottage is looking gorgeous with the blossom out… and due to an unexpected change of plans, it’s now available from 28th May right through to the 12th July (yes, a full six weeks!!).
It opens up some lovely options hanging out with the hens, a half term break with the kids, a pre summer getaway or even a Scottish school summer escape 😉
https://thecudlife.co.uk/cowslip-cottage/
We’ve updated our website too with links to all events going on in Harrogate and nearby https://thecudlife.co.uk/whats-on/
Booking direct is always best, just drop us an email on [email protected]

13/04/2026

Name our hens! We’ve got 14 beautiful Copper Blacks who are very much part of The Cud Life family and we feel they deserve proper names, especially as only three are named so far: Waffle, Pancake and Blue. They’re nosey, a few treat us to the occasional double yolker and they all love a good waddle (pretty sure they’ve learnt that from Mark 😊). Please add your name suggestions, we’ll be picking our favourites over the next couple of weeks x

27/03/2026

The bluebells are just starting to come through and from mid April to early May it’s the perfect time to see them in Ripley, just a short walk or a quick bus ride from The Cud Life. The mile long Hollybank Footpath from Ripley Castle is a peaceful stretch of woodland colour, perfect for a gentle walk, especially at sunrise or sunset.
As promised, we’re giving campers a proper two week heads up so you can plan your trip to catch them at their best… and maybe finish with a pint at the Boar’s Head or a treat from one of Ripley’s three cafés and tearooms.
Oh and a little photo too of the cows, released from the barns this evening and happily back out in the fields.
Rachel x

06/03/2026

Spring has finally made an appearance this week. The daffodils are out, the hens are busy “helping” with the weeding, lambs are popping up in the fields and the cows are awaiting up their big spring release out of the barns. The toilet block has even had a little paint refresh with a dash of cud life pink.
Warmer days must be on way as Mark has started talking about his summer vest collection, polishing his springtime Crocs and firing up the lawnmower, while I am looking forward to our one year anniversary here at the end of the month.
Looking forward to seeing you all at The Cud Life in 2026.
Rachel x

27/02/2026

Many of you will have seen the news from our lovely neighbours at HAY Café as they take a short pause from 7th March while Alex focuses on the remainder of her treatment. We’ll miss popping in just as much as you will over the next couple of months and we are sending them all our love and support 💛

The Cud Life is open as normal 🐄🚜
While HAY takes this much needed breather, everything at the cottages and campsite continues as usual. Mark and I will be here to welcome you with plenty of recommendations and information alongside the resident animals pottering about.

Rachel x

A Temporary Pause for HAY ⏸

After a great deal of thought, we have made the incredibly tough decision to temporarily close HAY Cafe for a little while.

As many of you who follow our journey, visit us regularly, or know Alex, Ralph and our family will be aware, Alex was diagnosed with a grade 2 Breast Cancer in November. Initially, we were told she would hopefully be cancer-free by now, but sadly it has proven to be far more extensive than first expected and where we originally were looking at 1 surgery and radiotherapy it became 2 surgeries, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Alex is now almost halfway through her chemo treatment but has encountered several challenges along the way and things are starting to become pressured for all.

HAY has always been a real family operation, and as you can imagine, it has been incredibly tough trying to balance the business whilst Alex has been so poorly. Right now, Ralph needs to be where he is needed most - supporting Alex and being there for their daughter.

We are so fortunate to have the most amazing team here at HAY and at our sister café, The Black Mulberry. Our absolute trooper Bekah will be transferring down to The Black Mulberry for the time being, so our wonderful staff can all support each other. If you’d like a similar experience and to continue supporting us, please head down to see Ralph, Bekah and the team there - they would love to see you!

The Cud Life next door is open and will be operating as normal 🐄🚜

On a positive note, this is not the end of HAY. We fully intend to reopen in a month or two. This is simply a pause - a chance for our family to focus on what matters most right now - and we very much look forward to opening our doors again soon.

Our last day open will be Saturday 7th March, so please pop in and see us before then. Your support, kindness and understanding mean more to us than we can ever say.

With love and gratitude,
The HAY Family 💛