We are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2026

Our farm

We are a 60 hectare farm with agroforestry, broadleaf woodland, hedgerows, herbal leys, wildlife flower and wild bird seed areas, ponds and scrapes and photovoltaic panels for renewable electricity.

Before traveling by trains instead of planes Chris researched agroforestry in West Africa and Southern Europe. He’s passionate about Farming with the Environment (the title of his latest book), is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham and former Head of Research at the Allerton Project. Miriam manages the farm business and has an interdisciplinary research and teaching background. She enjoys nutritious, local and seasonal food and celebrating our seasonal, cultural and food heritage.

Our agroforestry

The majority of our agroforestry trees were planted in 2020-21 on a 3 hectare bank of marginal clay soil, exhausted by continuous arable cropping, with a mixture of fruit and nut trees and willow windbreaks. The trees are planted in flower rich strips with a herbal ley for silage/hay in between the tree rows. We’re learning as we go and continuing to think about potential future products, collaborations and more events.

Fruit trees planted in a flower rich strip with a herbal ley crop between the agroforestry rows in 2023:

After the herbal ley has been cut in 2022:

how to find us

We farm in Halstead, East Leicestershire and will provide details of where to meet after you have booked a place Agroforestry Open Weekend at Halstead Hill Farm | Eventbrite with your name, address, phone number, any medical conditions, allergy information and an emergency contact name and number (required).

agroforestry open weekend 2025

Wednesday 20 May 10.30-12.30 – 2 hour walking tour and knowledge sharing about the environmental and heritage benefits of agroforestry in a farmed landscape.

Please don’t just turn up as places are limited

As we have livestock strictly NO DOGS please

facilities/refreshments

After the tour, hot and cold drinks will be available and you’re welcome to bring a picnic or buy filled rolls, samosas and other snacks from the nearby shop in Tilton on the Hill.

There is a toilet.

Off grid camping is available.

parking/access

Parking on grass. Lift sharing, cycling and walking (if local) encouraged.

Tilton Village Hall has 2 electric car charge points

Oakham Train Station is 8 miles and Billesdon bus stop is 2 miles away

disability access

The tour includes at least a mile of walking on uneven, sloping, potentially muddy ground. Please bring suitable footwear and clothing. Unfortunately unsuitable for people with mobility difficulties, including wheelchair users.

more information?

Please contact us at halsteadhillfarm@gmail.com for more information

We also welcome fully funded group tours to share outdoor learning about farming, conservation and food production, and offer off-grid camping. If you or someone you know are interested please email us to arrange.