Hope Springs Smallholding

08/06/2026

New residents have checked in! 😍
🦆 Runner ducks
🐥 3-week-old Bresse chicks
🐔 Bresse hens
Safe to say the smallholding is a little noisier, a little busier, and a lot more fun! ❤️🌿🐾

27/05/2026

21/05/2026

See our full Show programme here: https://issuu.com/gwpublishingltd/docs/heathfield_show_programme_2026
Come and join the fun on Saturday, 23 May - we'd love to see you!😍

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

Small Farm Training Group
Members only shout out!

Would you like to host a 'Meet The Members' event? These are held at a Member's farm, smallholding, allotment or garden. If you are a member and feel you would like to share your space for a few hours please contact Simon at [email protected]

We will organise the tickets and pay for refreshments, all you need to do is be up for hosting. These are good events for sharing knowledge, supporting each other and socialising.

You never know who you might bump into....

20/05/2026

Brambles and thistles: nuisance to us, luxury buffet to goats. They’ll be out there thinking, “finally, a properly catered event.”
meanwhile.... I'm mentally calculating the hay bill savings by the mouthful.🤗🤗🤗

12/05/2026

10/05/2026

Are you dreaming of having a smallholding?
Or perhaps you already have the dream… but want a little help understanding the legalities, practicalities, and realities of rural life?
Then this could be just for you.
Six years ago, I swapped life as a school Business Manager — tottering around in heels — for muddy boots, livestock paperwork, wet winters, and the wonderfully rewarding challenge of running my own smallholding.
Since then, I’ve learned first-hand about everything from CPH numbers and animal movement licences to raising livestock, growing food, surviving relentless Sussex clay/mud, and working towards a more self-sufficient way of life.
Smallholding life can be beautiful, exhausting, hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply rewarding — sometimes all before breakfast.
If you’re curious about the lifestyle, planning your own journey, or simply want honest advice from someone who’s living it day to day, I’d love to help and this course could be just what you were waiting for🤗

06/05/2026

Okay... stay with me and forgot any preset notions you may have!!

Not quite Jam.
Not quite Chutney.
Entirely delicious.

Our Rhubarb, Chilli & Ginger Jam is fruity, sweet and tangy with a mellow warming kick from ginger and chilli.
Lovely with cheese, glorious on crumpets and dangerously good straight from the jar.

02/05/2026

New potato plot done… 12m x 8m and ready to go! 🥔

This one’s been a long time in the making — it all started back in November with the pigs grazing and fertilizing it.

After winter, we laid cardboard (rescued from recycling bins — with permission, of course!) and now topped it with compost. Doris the Dexta Tractor was the heroine of the day - helping with the backbreaking work 🚜
Now it’s over to the worms to work their magic… and the potatoes to do the rest.

Slow, steady, and done the proper way 🌱