Part of the campsite is a working smallholding that is run in accordance with organic, humane and sustainable principles. We grow our own fruit and vegetables and have a variety of rare breed farm animals. Everything is grown in accordance to organic principles. We don’t use artificial fertiliser or pesticides. Instead we use compost, worm juice and alpaca and chicken poo. I love growing my own food – it is much easier than you might think and I encourage everyone to give it a go. When we have a surplus of produce we sell it. We also make our own home-made jam, jelly and chutneys which are for sale at the cafe at the weekends and next to the cafe between 6pm-7pm.
We have 4 alpacas including the new baby who was born here in 2024 (Doris, Matilda, Inky Dinky Do and Martha) and we have a lovely growing group of milking goats. We also usually have a few rare-breed, slow growing pigs that free-range near the bridleway. We sell the most delicious sausages and bacon from these very happy pigs. We currently raise Large Black heritage pigs.
Claire takes people ‘animal feeding’ on Saturdays at 5pm.
We have a flock of very free-ranging poultry wandering about the campsite. We have a mix of heritage breeds and hybrids. We are building up a flock of rare pure-breed Ixworth chickens. These are a breed local to Suffolk. They are a dual-purpose bird, the hens lay eggs and the cockerels are substantial enough to use as meat birds. They are our most ethical chicken as nothing is wasted. These are lovely big birds and unlike commercial meat chickens they can support their own weight and breed naturally. We usually have eggs for sale, but during the busy periods they sell out quickly so you might want to reserve some with us when you arrive.
We also have bees although don’t worry they are kept out of the way and you probably won’t see them. They are however invaluable for pollinating our fruit and vegetables.
We strongly believe animals should be able to live a natural, happy, stress-free life. Equally we believe that they should have a quiet death and because of this we don’t use big abattoirs but take our livestock to a very small one in Norfolk. Bearing this in mind please keep all dogs on a secure lead – not all dogs can resist the temptation to chase or bite animals.
Also please don’t go into our gated fields to look at the animals and please don’t feed the animals. If you feed the chickens they will never ever leave you alone and while you might like this, they will also not leave the next family alone either – chickens are very smart and quick learners – and not everyone wants them in their tent! We feed our animals a balanced organic diet and we don’t want them to get overweight as this isn’t good for them. If you do want to see the animals up close or feed them, then please come along for the organised ‘animal feeding’ at 5pm.