View of Broadclyst Farm

We are setting up a sustainable farm providing food and education to the community while re-establishing the environmental and agricultural heritage of the farm. We shall grow  a good range of Vegetables, Fruit and Herbs. Livestock will be introduced when there are sufficient experienced volunteers to care properly for them.

Broadclyst Community Farm is in the parish of Broadclyst (5 miles northeast of Exeter. There are 32 acres of farmland plus a dutch barn, cattle shed and machinery store. The land is owned by the National Trust and part of the Killerton Estate.

The farm is for anyone interested in growing and making local food available for local plates. All welcome. Knowledge of farming is an advantage but really not necessary. Enthusiasm to "muck in" more important. Lots of specialist support available to guide and teach those wishing to learn and succeed.

The lease for the farm  is to be formally signed in  January 2011, but we are already able to access areas of the farm to prepare nursery beds and see what we can do with the land.

Find out more about getting involved in the farm

Livestock Group

Will be meeting on Saturday morning 4th September for some discussion and planning. If you are interested in joining this group please come along and find out more. It doesn't matter if you do not have any experience. Meet outside The Sports Hall, Broadclyst (Next to Clyst Vale Community College) at 10 am. Do not go to the Farm House - this is not part of the Community Farm and we do not have access through there.

Farm Events Happening Soon
4th September 2010.
General clearance work / various other tasks / Livestock Group meeting.

Work events
Normally 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month - tasks will be confirmed nearer the date. We do not have many tools at the moment so please bring your own if you can. At the moment there is no proper access so meeting place is the The Sports Hall Broadclyst next to Clyst Vale Community College at 10am. Do not go to the Farm House, this is not part of the community farm and we do not have access through there. Work events last about 4 hours or so, fetch a drink and something to eat. Please be aware there are no toilets or hand washing facilities yet. Please do not bring children to these events at the moment, we shall be organizing some family events shortly.

For more info:  Viv Derek -  Tel 01404 823461  Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Recent Farm Event -
24th July 2010 - Clearing the Orchard.

We spent several hours clearing  what was marked on the old 1700 map as 'Orchard'.

There was not much evidence that it had once been a thriving orchard, the area was full of nettles, ragwort and there were quite a few dead trees. The ground was pitted with rabbit burrows and looked as though it had been used as a dumping ground.

A couple of the lads got to work with strimmers, the rest of us with shears and after a couple of hours the area was looking much better. Thanks to Mike and his chainsaw, the dead trees were taken down/made safe.

Old horse drawn plough found on Broadclyst Community Farm


Old Plough Found

On the last visit we spotted what looked like an old plough half burried  in the hedgerow, so this week a couple of us set about digging it out. The soil was very sandy, so the task was not too difficult, and fairly soon we were able to lift it clear.

What we had found was a horse drawn plough, rusty of course but otherwise in remarkable condition. The name on the side was Ransom, We will try and find out more about it.

Get involved
Register with us to receive our newsletter and details of farm events, you can also join one of our subgroups such as Horticulture or Environment.
NT Logo

‘The Greener Living Fund is sponsored by Defra’

Please fill out the Growing Spaces
Lifestyle Survey