On 30 June 2020 we completed the purchase of Bere Marsh Farm, just outside Shillingstone and on the River Stour. This was nearly 5 years after we first visited, and fell in love, with the property.
It is a fantastic farm with a history of hope and conservation. It lies close to the village of Shillingstone. The River Stour runs alongside, and often over it when the floodplain does what floodplains are supposed to do flood. Just beyond is Hambledon Hill, a big chunk of chalk rising to over 600 feet — a place of incredible history, botany and geology.
There is wetland, grassland and woodland. We hope to have a small milking herd of cows; a small flock of Dorset sheep; free-range hens; an orchard; and a nursery. It has a trailway, footpaths, car parks, a bridleway. To put it in modern parlance, it has a high footfall — a lot of people walk by it and through it.
The purchase of Bere Marsh Farm was made possible following many donations from our Friends when Gordon first died, plus ongoing donations in the five years we have been trying to make our dream a reality. In 2019 we received two very generous legacy donations which meant we finally had enough money to complete the purchase.
We'll update you further once plans are underway! It's all very exciting!
Set in the gorgeous Dorset countryside.
So, we have the perfect property, but now we need to make it fit for purpose. Until recently it was a working farm and whilst this is important, we want to introduce an Education Centre, Visitor Centre, Conservation Activities, signage, toilets… the list is endless. And it takes time and money. We are not going to rush it as we want to do it right.
Please select a donation amount: * £25 Would go towards the cost of an information board around the farm. £50 Would go towards the cost of bird boxes on the farm. £100 Would go towards the cost of creating a new volunteer programme. Other Donate