Farm and Family History

Past times

We have lived here since 1966, but only started buying back what had previously belonged to Shrubs Farmhouse in 1980. The farm now extends to 260 acres.

Firstly the barns which were restored from a state of near collapse by local craftsmen, followed by the farmland, which at that time resembled a prairie. Any hedges not grubbed out were regularly flailed to ground level. This was the general practice at the time.
On acquiring the land, a 20-year plan of action was drawn up to restore the landscape. The first priority was to restore the field and boundary hedges, about five miles of which have been planted or allowed to regenerate.

In these hedges are local English hardwoods such as Holly, Oak, Ash, Hornbeam, Small Leafed Lime, Wild Cherry, Hazel, Cherry Plum, Field Maple, Walnut, Spindle, Dogwood as well as Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

Since 1994, the gardens, orchard and fruit cage to the South, have been created and a park of some 50 acres now surrounds the house.

We are experimenting to see what will grow well within the Park with a range of ornamental trees. These include some 50 varieties of Oak (Quercus) from all over the world.

Details can be found on separate pages, but most oaks do well here and there are two mature specimens of Q. Ilex (Holm Oak) in front of the house.

Other specimen trees include Taxidium Distichum (Swamp Cypress), acers, prunus and various conifers for Winter cover including Cedars of Lebanon and Giant Redwoods. The is also an avenue of Plane trees.