Issue one · Autumn 2026
Download as PDFThe farm is coming back to life
“Restore the land and re-story the farm” describes where we began. This year it moved from ideas into work on the ground.
The Pinetum
Working with the UK Conifer Society we have revealed one of the UK's most important collection of conifers.
And on the farm
Regeneration in practice
300
fruit, nut and indigenous trees planted across the farm this year.
Our South Devons have arrived with their calves, along with Conan, our eighteen-month-old bull. Seven more calves are due in February.
Soil first. Samples have been taken right across the farm to benchmark the living biology beneath our feet as we move into organic and regenerative growing.
The new cattle barn is timber-framed and built as simply as we could manage — recycled tyres, crushed site hardcore and lime.
River Torridge · a rare water meadow
Alongside Devon Wildlife Trust we are restoring the water meadow beside the river — one of very few left in this part of Devon.
Castle Hill and the Battle of Cynwit, 878
Archaeologists working at Castle Hill now name Blinsham as the most likely site of the Battle of Cynwit. Ubbe, son of Ragnar, is believed to have camped here with around 1,200 Vikings before a dawn charge from the fort above. Ubbe was killed, and the fortunes of Wessex turned. The story is told in the newly published The Sons of Ragnar.
Looking ahead
We hope to open next summer — food, community and hospitality. The main house is being carefully restored, plans for the stone barns are progressing, and work beside the river continues.
“To swim upstream takes more than muscle; it takes a stubborn love.”