The Barrington Boar team have acquired a large site for development adjacent to their award-winning country pub & restaurant. Baker’s Farm, a 3000 plus sq ft period farmhouse, is set within a plot of approximately 0.38 acres, & comprises a large garden & several outbuildings including a former cider barn & hayloft.
Work on the buildings started in June 2023 whilst work on the land began this summer. Plans include a Market Garden which will supply the kitchen, the planting of native Somerset fruit trees, a Slow Food UK allotment which will grow forgotten local plants and a community plot where the team plan to invite local groups to use the space for garden therapy.
To fund the gardens, we are launching a Crowdfunding campaign in November.
“We are on a mission to restore the overgrown land at Baker’s Farm & convert it into a functional, welcoming space that benefits visitors to The Barrington Boar, our local community and Barrington’s ecosystem.
Orchards and kitchen gardens are havens for biodiversity, providing vital wildlife habitats to thousands of species, some of which have high conservation priority. The Barrington Boar Market Garden, Orchards and Slow Food Allotment will help to preserve traditional, heritage varieties of fruits and vegetables, many on the brink of extinction, and ensure locally grown produce for future generations of our community in South Somerset.
They also create important green spaces which can bring communities together. Gardening can have so many beneficial effects on people, whatever their age or background. We plant to run regular sessions for our supporters to learn new skills, meet new people and build their confidence in a welcoming, safe setting. We also plan to work with a horticultural therapy group where people can improve their mental wellbeing through gardening.”
Alasdair Clifford and Victoria Collins, The Barrington Boar
A Market Garden
The Market Garden will supply Alasdair’s kitchen team at The Barrington Boar with home-grown fruit, vegetables & herbs & allow them to grow produce not easily sourced locally. It will hold & create a habitat that encourages wildlife & raise awareness of the importance of homegrown food & heritage varieties.
A Slow Food UK Allotment
Some of the varieties that we will be growing in the Orchard & Market Garden will be taken from Slow Food UK’s Ark of Taste, which promotes varieties of produce that are at either imminent or potential risk of extinction.
Community Growing
Barrington is surrounded by beautiful gardens & keen community gardeners including the accomplished Barrington in Bloom group. We would like to offer them, as well as horticultural therapy groups & schools, our space & facilities to use, enjoy & inspire.
Crowdfunding
To raise funds for the project we are Crowdfunding, offering vouchers, events & goodies including:
An Evening with Bruce Poole of Chez Bruce
Dinner for two at the Barrington Boar
A Long Weekend stay at our new holiday let at Baker’s Farm for six guests
Sourdough Hamper with a homemade Barrington Pottery Bowl
Plus many many more items!
find out more on our project by visiting our crowdfunding page
We are working with garden designers Owen and Crosby to create our new Market Garden. Their design skills have been essential for building a sustainable landscape that is both attractive and functional. By using local plants and new methods, they have created a design that makes the most of our space and promotes biodiversity. This partnership aims to create a thriving area for fresh produce, highlighting our commitment to sustainability and community involvement. Their thoughtful planning will bring our vision to life, resulting in a market garden that serves both us and our customers.
We are working with Double-Barrows again to create our Market garden. Their skills in landscaping and knowledge of local soil & conditions lead to beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces as seen in our pub garden We can’t wait to work with them again.