A guided walk around Townsend Farm occurs from May until October. The walk is an informative, practical and visionary experience where the attendee will learn about how farming, nature and how good food can be produced together whilst sequestrating carbon from the atmosphere, which currently, is threatening our very existence through climate breakdown.
Every single day on every single tour is different, because the weather, the time of year and the cropping calendar are ever-changing, but one can learn about the following:
- Diversity of cropping
- How nature and farming are complementary not a choice
- How animals play a vital part in the diversity of any environment.
- How animals can in fact help sequester carbon and increase the ecological diversity
- How herbal leys and mob grazing are the future
- The importance of hedgerows and their management
- How field margins can improve the biodiversity of a farm
- How potatoes can be grown without being a total disaster to the local environment
- The chaos garden
- The forest garden
- River meadows and their benefit to the wye valley and SSSI
- Game covers and the benefits they supply to our biodiversity
- Animal and plant identification
- The beauty of grasses
- The importance of stinging nettles for butterflies
The list is literally endless. Perhaps spot one of the rarer species of our farm making a comeback? Brown Hare, Hedgehog, Grasshopper warbler, Grey partridge, Fallow deer, Grass snake, Adder, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Peregrine falcon and plants such as Black medic, Great Burnett, Pepper saxifrage and native red clover, all have been spotted on previous farm walks.
Following the farm walk, the garden of The Byres, is prepared with seating and wine from the vineyard, cider from our orchard or homemade fruit juice, whilst our chef for the day has prepared a ‘dish of the day’ which could be a slow-roasted joint of out home produce in our big green egg barbecue, stone-baked pizza cooked in our wood-fired Unni pizza oven using homemade pizza dough and produce from the chaos garden and farm animals, where available. Or even a paella created when our friends in Pembrokeshire have visited delivering us some of the finest fresh fish that the UK offers (in our opinion the best in the world).
Private tours are available by prior appointment for individuals, families, groups or schools, please contact us via our email.
Nature Walk and Fodder Evening
If you would like to attend one of our nature and fodder walks please complete the booking enquiry form and let us know some potential dates when you would like to attend. We will contact prior to the event to confirm your booking with you and arrange payment. Completing the booking form does not guarantee you a place.
The walks take place between 1st May and 30th September. Arrival time to be confirmed at booking.
Minimum 6 people and maximum 12 people per tour (unless previously agreed).
Price including 1 drink and food
£20 per adult
£10 per child
£50 Family ticket 2 adults and up to 4 children
Vegetarian food option.
Subsequent drinks will be available to purchase.