Lunsford Farm, Pett, Hastings, East Sussex.

The farm and surroundings

Lunsford Farm is a 200 acre farm set in a stunning coastal location, benefiting from a rich history. The farm is mentioned in the Domesday Book and stone-age flints have even been found on the land. Parts of the farmhouse date back to the 16th century, although experts (using carbon dating methods) believe it sits on the former site of an even older building. Lunsford Farm lies between the ancient Cinque Port of Rye and the historic town of Hastings, in a village called Pett. In the village you’ll find a post office and two pubs.
There are some beautiful historic farm buildings, including a Sussex barn , dating back to 1852 and an Old Oast House( home to your showers and farm store).
The farm has been designated a SSSI ( Site of Special Scientific Interest), as it forms part of the Old Saxon shoreline and the Napoleon Military Canal runs through the marsh fields in the lower part of the farm . There’s a path which runs through the farm and takes you directly down to the beach, just a 10 minute walk away. There are several ponds on the farm, offering one of the best spots in the country to spot Water Voles.

The farm has twice featured heavily in the defence arrangements for the country. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Royal Military Canal was built, running from Cliff End at Pett Level to Hythe in Kent. The Canal was built in “lengths” with high banks on theland side to provide protection for the infantry and low banks (at the end of each “length” )against which the cannons were positioned. Another battalion was positioned on the higher ground of the farm, overlooking the marsh; a sunken road leading to this area afforded protection for troops and horses alike. Besides acting as a defence against Napoleon’s troops, the canal was used to move troops and supplies- you can still walk the towpath today.
During the Second World War, the farm acted as a defence against Hitler’s expected invasion. The sea wall was deliberately breached and the sea water came in as far as the canal towpath, flooding much of what was the most productive farming land. Machine gun posts and defence positions were set up on the high ground of the farm. A minefield was laid as protection. When the minefield was eventually cleared by the Royal Engineers, one mine was missed which unfortunately resulted in one of the bullocks being blown up- you can still see a small depression in the ground today!
Just 6.5 miles away is the picturesque town of Rye. Perched on a sandstone hill, overlooking the Romney Marshes, Rye was once surrounded by the sea. Over hundreds of years the sea has receded, but Rye still retains a harbour and its marine connections.
Rye's maritime heritage dates back to Norman times when it was owned by the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy and later became part of the famous Cinque Ports. By the 18th Century, Rye had become a major centre for smuggling and some of their secret passages and tunnels are still in evidence today.
Now Rye is a thriving market town, beautifully preserved, with a maze of cobbled streets, including the famous MermaidStreet, crammed with tiny mediaeval houses and elegant Georgian buildings.
Just 3.5 miles away is the beautiful Sussex village of Winchelsea, built on the bones of a medieval town. Seven centuries ago, the new town of Winchelsea was founded by Edward I to take the place of an older town of the same name, which had been lost to the sea in a series of great storms and now lies beneath the waters of Rye Bay. The new town of Winchelsea assumed Old Winchelsea’s status of Ancient Town and Head Port of the “Cinque PortConfederation”, the alliance of Kent and Sussex ports that were England's defence against invasion in the days before there was a Royal Navy. For over a hundred years, New Winchelsea was one of the major ports of the kingdom.
One of the interesting features found in Winchelsea, is the number of well-built vaulted stone cellars (undercrofts). 33 of Winchelsea’s cellars are still accessible, the average cellar would hold over 120 hogsheads (6,300 gallons) of wine. All are well built and some are quite elaborately designed with decorative features. The design of Winchelsea’s cellars and the quality of their construction suggests commercial rather than domestic use. The principal commodity stored in the cellars is thought to be wine from Gascony. The current theory is that the cellars, at least those with windows providing natural light and with decorative features, were used as part retail wine shop and part wholesale wine sales area. Wine bought in bulk was probably kept in warehouses down on the harbourside


The farming at Lunsford Farm
The farm is divided between “ upland” and “marsh” . The marshland is land reclaimed from the sea as it receded in the 15th and 16thcentury. The marsh is drained by ditches which act as a natural divide for the fields and fencing for the livestock. The farm is principally a stock farm as many of the areas are too steep for cultivation. There are about 300 “Romney” ewes which lamb every April..
There’s also a mixed bred ( Simmental, Shorthorns, Herefords and Sussex) suckler herd of 12 cows, rearing their own calves( usually 40 cows at any one time). These are weaned at between 6 and 7 months, you should be able to see calves all year around at the farm.
Free range ducks and chickens wander leisurely around the farm, laying eggs in all the hidden corners!
The ducks are great at keeping the ponds clear of weeds .
Potatoes are the main crop on the arable side, cultivated on the accessible farmland. These are harvested in August through to October. In addition, kale and rape are grown to feed the sheep in winter. There’s a lot of woodland ( Ash and Chestnut) used for firewood and fencing and to encourage a diversity of habitat.

Location of the Feather Down Tents
Set a short walk away from the farm buildings down a farm track, you’ll find your tents nestled in a clearing at the edge of a small copse. The tents are located on the higher ground ,and windows cut into the trees will ensure you enjoy the glorious views across the marshland and the sea, where there are rock pools to exlplore. Back at the farm, the children ( and the parents) are free to roam around the copse and do what children do: climb trees, build dens and play hide and seek.

The family at Lunsford Farm
 The Dunlop family became tenants of the farm in 1888, eventually in 1917 the farm was bought by Thomas Dunlop. Thomas died in 1958 leaving his son, Andrew Senior to run the farm. After Andrew Snr’s death in 2004, Andrew Dunlop Jnr, took over the running of the farm. There is one full time worker on the farm, Jamie, aswell as additional casual labour at peak times of the season. Andrew’s mother, Pam Dunlop is in charge of the chickens and ducks. Zana, Andrew’s partner is responsible for diversification and together with Andrew, welcomes visitors to this special location.


Unique to Lunsford Farm
 Apart from the obvious historical significance of the farm and the outstanding location this farm enjoys, conservation is high on the agenda at Lunsford Farm. The farm has been accepted into a Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Scheme, the aim of which is to encourage many aspects of conservation. This work includes restoration of old ponds, ditches, fences and hedges aswell as constructing new ponds and lakes to encourage wildlife habitats. . There are many ancient flowering meadows full of rare and endangered plants. The ditched are home to the endangered water vole.

Pets
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed.

EXTRA IN 2010

• Camp Fire facilities
Gather your friends and family together for an evening beside the camp fire telling stories and toasting marshmallows! Available on most farms.

• Fishing Lessons
• Reflexology in your tent
• Guided Walks
• Camp Fires
• Play cricket with the local village team

>> Click here to make a reservation at Lunsford farm.

Things to do in the area

>> Click here to make a reservation at Lunsford farm.