History
Old Lodge Farm is nestled on the Little Woodcote Estate, Carshalton and is the base for the Downlands Partnership grazing team. Acting as layback land for the Partnership’s livestock, it is integral to the successful operation to manage 25 sites on the North Downs with conservation grazing.
The land around the farm has a rich history. The estate was formed in 1700 and farmhouses were built here in 1790, two of which remain today as cottages. By 1818 the farm is recorded on maps as ‘Hungry Bottom’ and the surrounding area labelled ‘Maidens Grove’, a name used to this day for one of the fields. After this, the farmland was converted from pasture to arable by 1842, with 20 acres of orchard by 1897 and remained tenanted arable land until 1919.
From 1919 the land of Old Lodge Farm was under the ownership of Surrey County Council and was divided into a group of smallholdings that came under a scheme to enable ex-servicemen returning from the First World War to build a life for themselves by managing the land and making a living from the produce. This remains a very pivotal part of the farm’s history and some areas remain as smallholdings to this day, as part of that Surrey County Council legacy.
In the 2000s the farm was a former dairy and was by then derelict when the Downlands Partnership took over the stewardship of the farm and surrounding land. A huge undertaking was embarked upon, removing thousands of old tyres and rotting hay bales, planting miles of hedges, erecting new fencing and improving the buildings to be suitable for managing livestock once again.
The farm today
With the improvements to both the yard and the surrounding habitat, the farm has become a haven for wildlife and a hub for educational and corporate events. Helping to engage local people with how traditional farming practices have shaped our land and precious habitats - plus an up-close encounter with the animals helps this along! Walking through the flowery fields, listening to sheep bleating, skylarks singing and catching a glimpse of a resident raptor makes for a truly memorable experience.
Old Lodge Farm is nestled on the Little Woodcote Estate, Carshalton and is the base for the Downlands Partnership grazing team. Acting as layback land for the Partnership’s livestock, it is integral to the successful operation to manage 25 sites on the North Downs with conservation grazing.
The land around the farm has a rich history. The estate was formed in 1700 and farmhouses were built here in 1790, two of which remain today as cottages. By 1818 the farm is recorded on maps as ‘Hungry Bottom’ and the surrounding area labelled ‘Maidens Grove’, a name used to this day for one of the fields. After this, the farmland was converted from pasture to arable by 1842, with 20 acres of orchard by 1897 and remained tenanted arable land until 1919.
From 1919 the land of Old Lodge Farm was under the ownership of Surrey County Council and was divided into a group of smallholdings that came under a scheme to enable ex-servicemen returning from the First World War to build a life for themselves by managing the land and making a living from the produce. This remains a very pivotal part of the farm’s history and some areas remain as smallholdings to this day, as part of that Surrey County Council legacy.
In the 2000s the farm was a former dairy and was by then derelict when the Downlands Partnership took over the stewardship of the farm and surrounding land. A huge undertaking was embarked upon, removing thousands of old tyres and rotting hay bales, planting miles of hedges, erecting new fencing and improving the buildings to be suitable for managing livestock once again.
The farm today
With the improvements to both the yard and the surrounding habitat, the farm has become a haven for wildlife and a hub for educational and corporate events. Helping to engage local people with how traditional farming practices have shaped our land and precious habitats - plus an up-close encounter with the animals helps this along! Walking through the flowery fields, listening to sheep bleating, skylarks singing and catching a glimpse of a resident raptor makes for a truly memorable experience.
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Plant Nursery In 2022 the Partnership opened a plant nursery at the farm in order to cultivate native plants of chalk grassland. The plants are offered for sale at summer fetes and fairs and also directly to the public, by appointment, at Old Lodge Farm. The proceeds are used to support the grazing and conservation work that is essential to keep our local chalk grassland in good condition. The photographs (right) illustrate some of the plants offered for sale. Click here to download a full catalogue, all plants subject to availability. |
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Fidelity International Christmas task day at Old Lodge Farm 2023
Fidelity International, based in Kingswood, have sponsored the Trust since the beginning of 2019 and their generosity has enabled the Trust to support a wide variety of conservation initiatives led by the Downlands Partnership. Fidelity staff have enjoyed numerous volunteering opportunities, including an annual Christmas task day at Old Lodge Farm, organised by the Downlands Partnership. Tasks included wreath making, building fences, sheep MOTs and habitat management followed by a BBQ lunch that was enjoyed by all!
Fidelity International, based in Kingswood, have sponsored the Trust since the beginning of 2019 and their generosity has enabled the Trust to support a wide variety of conservation initiatives led by the Downlands Partnership. Fidelity staff have enjoyed numerous volunteering opportunities, including an annual Christmas task day at Old Lodge Farm, organised by the Downlands Partnership. Tasks included wreath making, building fences, sheep MOTs and habitat management followed by a BBQ lunch that was enjoyed by all!
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