Dew ponds, mysterious man-made features of the rural English landscape, have a fascinating history. They were primarily constructed to provide water for livestock in areas where natural water sources were scarce, such as on high, chalky downlands, just like at Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
“We have no waters to delight,
Our broad and brookless vales-
Only the dew-pond on the height
Unfed, that never fails ….”
– Rudyard Kipling
At Sheepdrove Organic Farm two dew ponds have been restored, increasing biodiversity and providing important on-farm freshwater. The work is part of the Partnerships for Nature Project led by ourselves, North Wessex Downs National Landscape, funded by Defra’s Species Survival Fund, administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Join us for a circular walk at Sheepdrove Farm through the drovers’ roads, field margins, and footpaths that weave across the 2,000-acre organic mixed farm. Along the way, we’ll encounter three dew ponds—each with its own story.
The route takes us through a rich mosaic of farmland habitats, including arable fields, shelter belts, hedgerows, young woodland, and wild arable plant plots. Keep your ears tuned to the distinctive calls of corn buntings and skylarks—both of which thrive in this farmed landscape
The walk is led by Rosie Kindersley of Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
You are very welcome to bring your own food and drink to enjoy a picnic in The Courtyard or the Physic Garden after the walk. For more practical information, please see below.
Walk Information
- Booking: Free – Booking essential – 25 places
- Distance & approximate duration: 2.35 miles (3.75 km) – approx 2.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate (some inclines, some rough ground)
- Accessibility: Aimed at adults & older children. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
- Dogs: No dogs.
- Refreshments: Bring snacks and drinks as needed. Walkers are welcome to picnic on the farm after the walk
- Toilets: There are toilets at the farm events venue
- Meeting point: In The Courtyard, Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Sheepdrove Road, Lambourn, Hungerford,Berkshire. What3Words: lunching.sympathy.germinate. No useful postcode available. Grid Reference: SU 358 817 Google maps
- Public transport: None available
- Parking: Free car park, with an electric charger. Please car share whenever possible to help reduce the environmental impact of travel to Sheepdrove.
For general booking information, health and safety advice, terms and conditions please see our useful information page.
Further information
For local refreshments, see The Eastbury Plough, Eastbury (4.5 miles away), or The Queens Arms, East Garston (6 miles away).
Sheepdrove is a 2,000 acre organic mixed family farm with high quality combinable crops and species-rich grass leys for grazing livestock. Sheepdrove has partnered with Plantlife for the siting and creation of uncropped, cultivated field margins for arable plants, increasing their populations over time, and providing summer foraging habitats for farmland birds. See www.sheepdrove.com
This event is in association with our partners and is part of our Partnerships for Nature project funded by DEFRA’s Species Survival Fund administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund:
