About Southleigh Farm

Our family moved here from Bristol in 2019, when we finally gave in to our longing for space and fresh air outside of the city. We couldn’t believe our luck to find 16 acres of farmland with uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside, all within touching distance of Bristol and Bath. Before we found it, the farm had been vacant for nearly 10 years, becoming slowly derelict. But the wildness drew us in and we took the plunge.

With backgrounds in ecology and landscaping, we have a passion for our natural, rural environment. We want to protect and enhance our surroundings. Over the last few years, as well as renovating the buildings, we have been slowly bringing the land back to life, working with nature to improve biodiversity and promote healthy soil and ecosystems.

 Our small flock of Hebridean sheep lightly graze our fields which have reverted to rough grassland to benefit birds and other wildlife. Our hay meadow is cut once a year to provide animal food for the winter. We have planted over 500m of new hedgerows and tree belts so far, along with a new orchard. Our rescue hens provide eggs and the beehives provide honey and pollination. We also raise the odd rare breed pig or two. We run on as much renewable energy as we can, after installing a ground source heat pump and solar panels at the farm.

A space like this deserves to be shared, which inspired us to offer a yurt stay experience in our hay meadow. The yurt sits adjacent to Lords Wood, a beautiful 200 acre mixed woodland, with open access and footpaths throughout. The field and woodland are full of wildlife, including roe deer, badgers and foxes, and birds such as woodpeckers, tree creepers and tawny owls.

Our latest venture, the cut flower fied, embraces the UK slow flower movement. We wanted to create a responsible small business that complemented the surrounding landscape and biodiversity; and provide a shared space and opportunities for local creatives.

Recognising that more like-minded people are favouring products that are local, low mile and sustainably produced, we have converted half an acre of a field to a cut flower plot growing seasonal blooms. The flowers provide an important nectar source and homes for pollinators. The flower beds are managed with ‘no dig’ principles in mind, using recycled cardboard, compost and manure. This encourages the important earthworms, micro-organisms, and fungi that keep soil and plants healthy. We use only natural fertilisers and have reduced our use of chemicals as much as possible.

We hope you can join us at the farm soon.