This event has already taken place.
In the heart of the North Wessex Downs, this walk explores the Lambourn Downs and Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
A circular walk along some of the drovers’ roads, footpaths and farm tracks that criss-cross our 2,000-acre organic mixed farm. We’ll pass pasture, arable, young woodland, agroforestry fields, chalk downland, a rewilding project and a new dew pond, while listening out for the corn buntings and skylarks who flourish in the mixed-farming downland landscape.
We’ll enjoy the glorious views across the surrounding open, rolling hills to the distinctive horizon of the Lambourn Downs with its skyline shelter belts, hill-top beech clumps and clear ridge lines.
Once back at the farm, there’ll be a chance to visit the teaching market garden (where hands-on growing courses are held) and the constructed wetlands, which process all the grey water from the Sheepdrove event venue, cottages and commercial units while providing a valuable habitat for wildlife.
You are welcome to bring food and drink and picnic in The Courtyard and Physic Garden.
Please dress appropriately for a walk in the countryside and with regards to the British weather – much of the route takes in an exposed landscape. A small rucksack is useful for personal items, such as water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, but note that livestock may be present.
Walk leader/organisation: Rosie Kindersley, Sheepdrove Organic Farm
Walk information
- Booking: Free – Booking essential – 25 places
- Distance & approximate duration: 3.3 miles (5.4 km) – 2.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate (some inclines, very exposed).
- Accessibility: Suitable for older children (12+). Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult (see useful information). Not suitable for wheelchairs or prams/pushchairs.
- Dogs: Dogs on leads welcome.
- Refreshments: Bring snacks and drinks as needed. There are no places to purchase refreshments on the route. Walkers are welcome to picnic on the Farm after the walk.
- Toilets: There are toilets and accessible facilities on the ground floor of the events venue at the Farm.
- Meeting point: In The Courtyard, Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Sheepdrove Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire. No useful postcode available. What3Words: lunching.sympathy.germinate. OS grid reference: SU 358 817. Google Maps.
- Public transport: None available.
- Parking: A free car park, with disabled spaces and an electric charger, is available alongside the events venue at the Farm. 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. On the farm is a conference, event and wedding venue housed in an operationally carbon net zero green building with pet-friendly onsite self catering accommodation available for up to 30 in two eco lodges and an off-grid boathouse. See Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
This walk is brought to you by our partner:
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme seeks to provide investment in protected landscapes to help deliver outcomes for the environment, people and places by working in partnership with farmers.
