At the core of Fowlescombe is our organic family farm. A modern and forward-looking operation with the highest environmental standards, we are building on the estate’s long and rich tradition.
We are nestled into a steep, tranquil and hidden valley in the foothills of Dartmoor. The Fowlescombe estate and farmstead date back to 1537, and today, the ivy-clad ruin, walled gardens and ancient woodlands provide a dramatic and beautiful backdrop for our farming operations.
Our animals
At our heart, we are a livestock farm focussing on Britain’s rare and native breeds. Our English Longhorn and Beef Shorthorn cattle roam as registered pedigree herds, while our Manx Loaghtan sheep – a breed once considered at risk of extinction – now thrive here in the country’s largest flock. Tamworth pigs and Boer goats feature too.
Our animals are raised slowly, with intention, to the highest standards of welfare and husbandry and with a strong focus on soil health.
Regenerative farming methods
The farm has been proudly organic for over 20 years, but are constantly evolving to develop more regenerative ways of working. Fields are shifted to the more diverse herbal ley, livestock grazing rotates to nurture the land, and our landscaping is planned around habitat protection. Our 16 hives of honeybees hum quietly through it all, pollinating as they go.
Kitchen garden
Our vegetable gardens house a rotating range of British and more exotic varieties, which can make their way to your table within minutes.
Much like our approach to livestock farming, a commitment to soil health and biodiversity guides everything our gardeners do. To maximise productivity, in our chemical-free system, vegetable beds are intermingled with wild flowers to encourage pollination, while a complex composting programme maintains the richness of the soil’s nutrients.