This May, thanks to the help of family and volunteers Emma, Ben, and James, we successfully completed the building and planting of our market garden, based on a design by Shahara. We now have two plots with 10 rows growing a variety of produce, including salads, herbs, peppers, melons, courgettes, tomatoes, and potatoes. 2024 is…

Volunteers James and David joined us this month to complete the re-wiggling of the stream which runs through the farm. It now splits into two paths: the original straight drainage ditch and a new meandering path. Our goal is to slow the water flow with leaky dams, ponds, and reed-filled wetlands, creating a diverse ecosystem…

Since there are no longer Beavers managing the waterways at Owletts Farm, we have had to resort to mechanical means! The ‘Diesel Beavers’ are on a mission to transform the wetlands into a thriving habitat for wildlife, and just possibly the re-introduction of beavers (lots to consider – https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/on-land/beavers ).

Much of Owletts Farm was previously the parkland for Hammerwood House (which confusing is officially called Hammerwood Park). Built in 1792 by Benjamin Latrobe, the architect of the United States Capitol. With its Palladian design and expansive grounds, the estate has a rich history, including use as a military hospital during World War II. We…

We’ve been working with the Hammerwood team on using LIDAR to explore the history of the area. Looking for things such as:– Roman ironworking– Mediaeval ironworking– Iron ore mining and routes to furnaces and hammers– Ecclesiastical deer park– Agricultural development including water management, meadow and flowing canalOrnamental deer or other grassland park, identified by grey…