Purston Lamb is owned by David and Annabel Barnett, whose family have been farming in the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire borders since 1820. In 1992 the family moved from the old family home near Bicester to the lovely Purston Estate near Banbury. The 400-year-old ironstone manor and farmhouses that make up Purston nestle in a bowl of hills commanding sweeping views across the Cotswolds (we like to
think the sheep enjoy the views too). The land takes in a range of conditions from windswept grasslands at the top to rich meadows at the bottom. The land is mainly grade 2 or 3 loam overlying ironstone. Although the farm is only a few miles from Banbury it feels like a world of its own. This is ancient farmland: you can still see the medieval ridge and furrow in many of the pastures, and indeed Purston is mentioned in the Domesday Book, owned by William the Conqueror’s half-brother, the Count of Mortain. Much of this flower-rich old grassland is protected and is in Stewardship Schemes. Our 600-strong flock of North Country Mules was established more than 35 years ago, producing grass-fed lambs during the spring and early summer. In 2007, due to strong local demand, the concept of Purston Lamb was created and a flock of 200 pedigree poll Dorset ewes was added, to lamb in November and December . In 2014 to complete year-round lambing, David added a further 100 Lleyn ewes, who lamb outdoors in May. These are mainly mated to Charollais and Suffolk rams to provide New Season Purston Lamb all year round. Great attention is paid to the health and feeding of the growing lambs, and all the farm businesses are in Farm Assurance Schemes. All the lambs are killed at an excellent, small local abattoir less than 16 miles from the farm and butcher. Purston Lamb is found on the menu in many pubs, hotels and restaurants in the local area. It is renowned for its tenderness and succulent flavour.
