We continue to improve the biodiversity of our smallholding and have reused materials on site in the landscaping around the steading and cottages.

All the dry stone walls have been built by local craftsmen with old red sandstone recovered from the derelict farmhouse which was demolished before building our own low energy house, whilst the raised beds in our vegetable and fruit garden are made from the old floor joists and are filled with composted green waste. In 2020 we invested in a polytunnel to increase the growing season for our own produce.

In the fields we continue to plant native trees and have restored an old hedgerow which forms the southern boundary or our property, whilst the field excavated in front of the cottages to install the heat pump collector was restored and re-seeded with a mix of clover and grass to encourage a wide range of insects, in particular bees.

We have several bee hives in the field and are very happy to show interested guests a little of the world of beekeeping. New planting choices are made to increase the number of bee friendly species in the gardens and fields around us. Honey from our own hives is available to purchase (while stocks last - it's very popular!)