Woodland and Wildlife and Environmental Plan

Orchard Farmhouse has an exciting project to encourage bio-diversity on the land, encourage birds in the garden and reduce our environmental impact. 

Within the house we are working to reduce our electricity consumption while keeping things comfortable.  We have an excellent woodburner to reduce our use of oil.  We have installed photovoltaic solar panels on the garage roof.

In the garden we encourage wildlife with bird seed, boxes and a dovecote.  In the fields we plan to create ponds, a copse of english broadleaved trees and a community garden.  We are also looking at encouraging friendly bees through a biodynamic approach to flora in the fields.  We are even looking at going one better with natural beekeeping.

We have planted an orchard by a footpath (part of Hardy's Way) and begun a forest garden.

We already have a small orchard in our garden but the additional apple and cherry trees in the field are for people to share.  The forest garden will be a mix of trees and shrubs, most bearing fruit, nuts or producing a product that is useful.

Carbon offsetting 

You can now click on buttons when you book a holiday to do your bit for the environment.  How much nicer to be able to ask for trees to be planted for you then go and see them and enjoy them.  And one day be picking something from them perhaps!  Ask us how to take part.  You do not even need to stay with us.  The trees will be accessible from the public footpath (The Hardy Way).

If you would like to help or can offer advice on our woodland, wildlife and renewable energy initiatives, please get in touch by emailing rupertemerson@hotmail.com.