With support from our donors, CRT has enabled Mike and Bev Clear, the tenant farmers at Pierrepont to offer a home to these charismatic cows and wonderful wildlife.
Pierrepont Farm is where tradition and technology work together. The cows are fitted with special ankle ‘tags’ so they are free to take themselves from field to cowshed and into the state-of-the-art dairy building, where they are milked using an automatic robotic diary. The tags allow the farmer to track the cows' location, productivity and health. The robotic dairy milks the cow, measures the weight of the udder and tests the quality of the milk.
There is a wet meadow beside the River Wey, which has been designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its important flora. The river is abundant with fish and other wildlife including some of the most beautiful dragonflies.
The farm has several different areas of woodland. Each has its own unique feature and they are all alive with wildlife. Volunteers play a vital role at Pierrepont Farm working with Mike to conduct conservation activities and complete all the wildlife monitoring. The volunteers manage the woodlands and have a conservation management plan, whereby they regularly coppice trees and allow for different habitats to thrive as light enters. They even make charcoal on the farm, which they sell to fund their conservation activities. They are a happy bunch and always welcome new members!
Mike and Bev, who now have an award-winning herd of Jersey cows, have seen the farm undergo major developments. When they first arrived they did everything by hand in a traditional style, but this has changed dramatically with the innovative new dairy building, which includes a viewing area for educational visits.
Pierrepont provides an outstanding environment for enterprise and food sustainability within an Area of Outstanding Landscape Value. It is only a 10-minute cycle ride from Frensham and many locals visit the Old Dairy business units for local produce, including ale, cider, cheese, jewellery, Windsor chairs and more
The Old Dairy
The farm was gifted to the CRT by Jo Baker in 2006. She remained a very close CRT Friend until she passed away in 2018.
In 2011, Zac Goldsmith MP opened the new, purpose built state-of-the-art dairy at CRT’s Pierrepont Farm. The range of listed farm buildings, that had held the previous dairy but were no longer suitable for agriculture. After seeking planning permission and listed building consent, we have now restored these into business units to help support the rural economy and provide the CRT with an alternative income stream.
These have been let to local artisan and are now home to a variety of artisan businesses including silversmith and jewellery makers, designers, a chair-maker and a cheesemaker.
The courtyard buzzes with activity and creativity and at weekend, The Tap Room of the brewery, opens, attracting cyclists, walkers and locals for a refreshing pit-stop.
The Old Dairy are individual businesses with different opening hours. For further information, contact the business directly
Joe loves his beer... he started home brewing when he was 15 with a Boots kit that he brewed for his sister’s birthday party. It was cloudy, fizzy and alcoholic! He learnt that cloudy beer tastes good, and has been brewing ever since. Read more
John Brown started on The Cheese On The Wey journey in 2017. John has always had a passion for cheese and after walking past The Old Dairy at Pierrepont Farm, the idea that he could make a business out of this passion took root. Read more
Sinead studied locally at the University of the Creative Arts in Farnham then went on to study graphic design at Camberwell College of Arts which led to varied work as a freelance artist and filmmaker for a range of clients. She has returned to the area to join Lisa Gomez at the BiroRobot studio. Read more
Sisters and successful illustrators, Lisa and Elena Gomez founded biroRobot over 10 years ago. Lisa has continued to grow the business by moving the studio to Pierrepont Farm. Lisa brings over 20 years of illustration and design experience to biroRobot, sharing a love of the simple, bold, bright and fun, taking influence from Scandinavian and mid 20th century modern designs. Read more
Two established silversmith and jewellery designers Jessica Noble and Fenella Watson have up in the Old Barn Workshop have created a creative and cosy environment to practise their trade. They also offer classes in jewellery making for all abilities in a well equipped workshop. Read more
Bodkin’s makes naturally fermented vegetables which are a delicious ‘good for you’ condiment to complement any meal from sandwiches and soup to curries and burgers. Read more
Peter decided to start making Windsor chairs a number of years ago, inspired by a couple who made their own furniture. The artisan craft of Windsor chair making happens in Peter's Old Dairy business unit on Pierrepont Farm. Read more