About The Farm

Coopers Farm, Hadlow Down is located just off the A272, East Sussex.  We are a working farm, and sell direct from the farm. The farm is unique because it practices traditional mixed rotational farming using historical breeds associated with the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The farm extends to 140 acres over 3 sites. The farm currently farms beef, pork, chicken, turkey, seasonal vegetables and eggs. We are proud that everything we sell is produced directly from our farm. We welcome customers to get reconnected to where your food comes from and the husbandry behind traditional farming.

History

The landscape of Coopers Farm shows that a number of original hedge lines and shaws which appear to have been grubbed up over the decades. Michael has been very committed to the long term protection and management of the farm as integral asset to the High Weald AONB. With this in mind Michael visited the Sussex Records Office in Lewes to conduct research into original field boundaries and names based on the 1841 tithe Map and schedule which demonstrates that Coopers Farm was originally 7 paddocks.

The original owner was a Mr Benjamin Hall of Curtains Hill (1248) but rented it to Mr William Howard who occupied the site with a historical farmstead. With this knowledge Coopers Farm has readopted the historical field patterns and field names of circa 1248. This includes 'Shaw in middle heath', 'Calves Croft', 'Hollow Field', 'Five Chimneys Field', 'Lodge Field', 'High Field', and 'Long Field'. The old tithe map also presents an old drovers trail avoiding the Toll gate that was historical at 'Civer's' or the old Lodge, hence Lodge Field.

Shaw in Middle Heath was a historical coppice mixed woodland, and the community came together and planted over 2000 samplings to recreate the woodland. The farm has also recreated two historical ponds on site.