Hope Springs Smallholding

15/08/2026

Well… not exactly a disaster compared with everything else going on in the UK at the moment, but still rather annoying… 🤨🤣

The badgers decided to pay our sweetcorn patch a visit last night and treated themselves to quite the feast! 🦡🌽

Sod’s law, really, as I was just about to start harvesting it — the cobs had reached that absolutely perfect stage. I’m now convinced badgers have some sort of built-in sweetcorn alarm that tells them “TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!” 🤣

But, as always on a smallholding, nothing really goes to waste…

The pigs and goats were very happy to polish off the stalks and empty cobs, and with everything so dry at the moment, a bit of fresh greenery was apparently quite the treat! 🐐🌿🤣

Looks like the badgers won this round… 🦡 🌽

13/08/2026

Another day... another Damson recipe. 💜
This stunning damson jelly is a beautifully rich, jewel-coloured jelly bursting with the distinctive sweet-tart flavour of ripe damsons. Delicious with toast, scones, cheese or as an accompaniment to roast meats.
The upside? Unlike chutney, Damson Jelly needs no maturing — as soon as it’s cool and set, it’s ready to enjoy! 🙌💜
No six-week wait required… now that’s my kind of preserving! 😂

12/08/2026

Oh my… I’ve been very lucky to be gifted quite a few kilos of beautiful damsons 🥰💜

And what a gift they are! Damsons make the most wonderful chutneys, jams and jellies, so naturally the preserving pans have been put straight to work.

First creation… Damson & Apple Chutney 🍎💜

The smell is absolutely divine and just look at that gorgeous rich colour! 😍 Sadly, patience is required now as it needs a good 6 weeks to mature, allowing all those lovely deep, autumnal flavours to develop.

It will be perfect alongside a cheeseboard, with a proper ploughman’s lunch, cold meats… or dolloped generously on cheese on toast. 🧀

Although at 32°C here in the South East today, cheese on toast perhaps isn't quite calling my name just yet! 🥵🤣 But come those cooler autumn days… absolutely!

Right… back to the preserving pan. Damson Jelly next! 💜

12/08/2026

07/08/2026

🎉 A little bit of exciting Hope Springs news! 🎉

We are absolutely delighted that The Village Shop at Upper Dicker is now stocking our Hope Springs Chutneys & Preserves! 🌶️🫙

So you can now pick up your fix of our Hot Sweet & Sticky Chilli Jam or Spiced Beetroot & Orange Chutney after enjoying a delicious breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in their wonderful café. ☕🍰

It means such a lot to see our little jars, made here on the smallholding using as much of our own home-grown produce as possible, appearing on the shelves of another fantastic local business. 💚

If you're passing through Upper Dicker, do pop in, treat yourself to something delicious in the café and have a little browse — and maybe take a jar of Hope Springs home with you too! 😉

Local produce supporting local businesses — just how we like it. 🌱

29/07/2026

24/07/2026

🤗 The runner bean harvest has officially started!
These beauties didn't make it to the veg stand... they were destined for something even more delicious!
Our Runner Bean Pickle is made using the same much-loved recipe as our famous Piccalilli, but with fresh homegrown runner beans taking the place of the cauliflower.
They're now safely tucked away and need around a month to mature, allowing all those wonderful flavours to develop. Then they'll be joining the rest of the Hope Springs collection at our gate stand.
We can't wait for you to try it! 💚🥒🌱

19/07/2026

Life on a smallholding means learning to share the countryside with all sorts of wildlife. We genuinely love seeing the badgers, foxes, deer and buzzards around Hope Springs, but it also means finding ways to protect both our livestock and our crops.

Our goats and pigs already know all about electric fencing... without it they'd be off on an adventure before you could say "breakfast!" 🫣🫣

After setting up a wildlife camera to find out who had been digging up our new potato patch, the mystery was solved... two rather well-fed badgers have developed quite a taste for our main crop potatoes plus the marigolds planted to protect the crop from pests🦡🥔

So, yet another electric fence has gone up—this time to protect the potatoes. No harm to the badgers, just a gentle reminder that these spuds aren't on the menu!

Never a dull moment at Hope Springs Smallholding! 😂