Tablehurst farm

Website: http://www.tablehurstandplawhatch.co.uk/

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01342 823173

Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5DP

Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch Community Farm Limited, c/o "Trees", Priory Road, Forest Row, RH18 5HF

Tablehurst Farm is a 200 acre farm lying just a few minutes walk from the centre of Forest Row in East Sussex. It has been farmed biodynamically for nearly 40 years, and part of the Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch Co-operative since 1995. In recent years, the farm enterprise has grown, giving rise to the need for more land, and Tablehurst now rents a variety of parcels of land in and around Forest Row, resulting in a total area farmed in excess of 500 acres. These include Springhill and Kidbrook Farms and land at Brambletye, Michael Hall and Puckden in Kent.

Tablehurst is primarily a meat enterprise, rearing beef cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, all of which are slaughtered locally (on the farm in the case of the poultry) and sold through the farm shop. The farm also produces a small quantity of bread-quality wheat flour, which as well as being available in the shop is sold to the Cyrnel Bakery in Forest Row.

About fifteen acres of land in the heart of the farm are given over to an apple orchard which produces Jonagold and Elstar apples. This is an independent enterprise, although the couple who manage the orchard are also active participants in the work of the farm. The apples are available in the farm shop in the autumn and winter, and all year round in the form of (delicious) bottled apple juice.

As part of its work as a community enterprise, Tablehurst provides a home for three adults with learning difficulties. They live on the farm and participate actively in the day to day work.