Our Ethos
Environmental
At Hillview we are passionate about the environment. Long before it became a "thing" we knew it was our human duty to look after our world.
Over 500 indigenous hedges and trees have been planted since we moved in, making a wonderful environment for bees and birds.
We have grown from nut over 60 Hazel trees, that are now being planted out to make a future hedge.
From acorn, our 300 year old oaks have produced over 30 saplings that we are growing on. We aren't sure where we will put them, but then it won't be us to worry about the full size tree in 200 years time!
On top of that we have many seed grown dogwood, silver birch and other trees and bushes that we grow on, and will be planting out as they are ready.
We continually look after our ridge and furrow fields, and have recently laid the 400 year old hedge that fronts the property.
We have cultivated environments for many smaller creatures, including dead wood, wet and wild areas that have many varieties of wild flowers and plants. These areas have attracted frogs, toads, newts, snakes, rabbits, deer and game birds. Our skies are frequented with Red Kites and Buzzards during the day, and Owls and Bats at night.
We hope in the near future to build our owl and bat boxes in the barns and trees to ensure a safe place for these amazing flyers to breed.
The small holding
Hillview started as an equestrian home, as we took horses all over Europe jumping big fences in the international show jumping circuit. Although we still have our first pony, grand-prix horse and her foal, we are all but retired from that now, leaving room on the land for Sheep, Goats and Chickens, and to cultivate the land for a fulfilling environmental purpose.
Our sheep are a mixture of Texels, Suffolks, and the resulting hybrids! They lamb sometime at the end of March and early April, and if you are around at that time, it is amazing to see these little ones born.
Just watch out for "Tiny" - He's our Tup, or as you might know him - our Ram. Tiny, he isn't!! - at 130kg, he is very friendly and would love to run up and butt you, so as you walk across the fields keep half an eye out for him.
The Cockerel will start calling just before sun up, and he and his girls will peck around all day. If you leave food out - it will be gone!
Just don't try and pet the cats. They are feral, and work for a living, and won't thank you for being friendly!
We make our own hay, and during the early summer you will enjoy watching the grass dry !!! and be baled for the winter feed.