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Guided Farm Walk at Deptford farm near Bursdon with Stephen Heard
Saturday 1st August 2026
We had a big turnout of members for the Deptford Farm Walk, led by farmer Stephen Heard.
We were greeted on arrival with hot drinks and delicious cake in the beautiful farmhouse garden, and Stephen had gone to the trouble of making a display highlighting some of the important features of the farm, including the farm layout, soil quality and some of the wildlife seen on the farm.
We then set off to look around around the farm. Because it spans either side of the A39 Stephen had arranged to transport us all across the road in a cattle trailer, which was great fun. Our first stop was a field of standing grass with huge amounts of clover, and numerous butterflies and other insects. It was a lush, emerald green oasis compared to the parched fields we have become used to seeing elsewhere.
Words Caroline Warnes. Photos David Warnes
This theme continued as we walked around the farm: every field appeared to be green, contained numerous plant species, and was surrounded by thick, healthy hedges. This is partly because much of the farm is on culm, which is usually wet, but also partly due to how the farm has been managed through encouraging the growth of a wide variety of grasses and plants, carefully managing the grazing and Stephen lays the hedges by hand every few years.
The farm produces organic, soil association approved beef and lamb, and the livestock we saw in the fields looked extremely well.
Most of the meat produced is sold via a wholesaler to supermarkets such as Waitrose, but Stephen does sell some meat direct from the farm. Follow the Deptford Farm facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071117802553
We are extremely grateful to Stephen and his family for their hospitality and generosity in showing us around Deptford Farm, and for showing us how it is possible to farm in a way that both produces good quality food and also respects and supports the environment.
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Video from our Boosting Local Diversity Meeting in February 26
For details of our Third Anniversary AGM – Click -> Past Events
About Us
- The Hartland Nature Society is a small group of like-minded individuals living in the parish of Hartland in Devon
- We are interested in sharing and developing our knowledge of wildlife and the natural environment in the Hartland Peninsula
- We are keen to protect our wildlife and to develop methods to enhance and encourage more wildlife
- We have a full calendar of activities from talks to surveys and regular nature walks.
If you want to find out more, or join us, please email
HNS has a trail camera available to borrow
This can be placed in your garden to capture videos and photos of anything that moves, day or night, so you can see what passes through – foxes, badgers, hedgehogs etc..
An instruction manual and additional notes on usage will be provided.
If you are interested in borrowing it please contact Richard Hannington at birds@hartlandnaturesociety.org.uk
The importance of hedgehog monitoring
Sadly, hedgehog numbers have declined drastically over the past 20 years, and we’ve lost a third of our hedgehogs in the UK. By monitoring hedgehogs, you can contribute to their conservation, gather data for scientific research, and gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable creatures.
Our chairperson, Clare Gurton talks to Andrew Cotton about the Hartland Nature Society and how they work with the National Landscape Team.
“When I first decided to set up the Hartland Nature Society, I thought we might perhaps get about 20 people interested to join, but at the launch meeting in January 2023, over 50 people attended, and we now have a membership of around 80 people. Such is the interest in nature in this small Parish.
We were lucky to be able to dovetail with a North Devon Coast National Landscapes project, and they have supported us over the last years. We have grown in numbers and slowly we are having an impact. This video tells the story and shows that a small group of dedicated people can make important changes for nature. I am proud of our members and of our achievements.”
More Information here ->https://hartlandnaturesociety.org.uk
For more upcoming events click here ~Events
