We are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2025

Our farm

Darvills Hill is small 40 acre farm in the central Chiltern Hills, which has been in the stewardship of the same family for over 200 years.

Charlotte and Adrian took on the running of the farm four years ago after a few decades of neglect. With no farming experience and with the support of grants from Chiltern’s National Landscape, they set about regenerating soil health and boosting biodiversity by restoring wildflower meadows, re-planting a traditional orchard removed in the 1970’s, and coppicing the farm’s outgrown internal hedgerows. They also planted silvo-pasture lanes for browse, shelter and shade for livestock and a small mixed, deciduous woodland

They currently have a small flock of native breed sheep for meat, wool and ecosystem engineering! The sheep are grazed using an adaptive multi-paddock system which allows for a long rest period for the fields, which is important for building soil health, biodiversity and the health and well-being of the livestock.

They produce two batches of rare breed pigs each year which they sell to local customers, including Oxmoor Farm (a restaurant and outdoor events location just up the road in Great Hampden), as well as seasonal apple juice, wood chip and firewood.

The farm is now also host to the fabulous Badgers Garden, a no-did edible flower and salad business and the Bucks Bee Keepers who maintain an apiary on the farm producing honey amongst other bee products.

Our agroforestry

Traditional orchard – Five acres planted in January 2023 with 97 trees. 27 varieties of fruit and nut tree, with Buckinghamshire specific varieties.

Silvo-pasture lanes – Eight acres planted in January 2024 with 14 varieties of coppice and hardwood

Hedgerows – coppicing, gapping up and dead hedge creation since 2023. They use the brash for woodchip or dead hedging so nothing goes to waste or on a bonfire. The woodchip is used as mulch around the farm and is sold locally to gardeners when available.

Woodland – 1.5 acres planted with 2500 deciduous trees in 2019 with help from family and friends from the village.

Here are some photos of what we do:

Hedgerow coppice and dead hedge

The same Hedgerow coppice and dead-hedge six months later

Orchard – Spring 2024

Woodland

Wildflower meadows

how to find us

You will find us at Darvills Hill Farm, Flowers Bottom Lane, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0PZ

agroforestry open weekend 2025

During Agroforestry Open Weekend 2025 we will be open Saturday 17th May 10 – 11am

please don’t just turn up

Please email Charlotte at thepantry@darvillshillfarm.co.uk to let her know you would like to visit and instructions about where to come to on the day.

facilities/refreshments

Hot drinks will be available

parking/access

Parking is available in the field.

dogs

No dogs please as we will have ewes with lambs.

disability access

Easy access for parking and wheelchair accessible if the weather has been dry.

more information?

Please email Charlotte at thepantry@darvillshillfarm.co.uk for further information

Head to Instagram @darvills_hill_farm for what we have been up to recently and also @badgersgarden and @oxmoorfarm