visit

Visit us

We run a small farm in Upper Gravenhurst, a beautiful village in the middle of Bedfordshire, UK and aim to make a living by producing high quality products in a way that impacts the environment as little as possible.

We love it here and think you might too

Come for a walk
Much of our small farm is accessible all the time, either on public footpaths or through permissive access that forms part of our Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
The farm also lies on a promoted walk that passes through Silsoe and Shillington - details at www.letsgo.org.uk so if you just fancy a walk, why not take a look?

Find out more
Lots of locals enjoy walking around our fields every day of the week. People are interested in the cattle and the willow and regularly ask about what we do and how it affects the countryside and the wildlife that lives here; we can often be found chatting – it’s a friendly kind of place. If you’d like to find out more about the farm; what we do, how we do it and why (and a whole load more besides), we would be delighted to show you around. Read on for details or follow these links....

the view from Wassledine [image thanks to Barry Halton/CPRE]

guided walks

willow workshop

classes

coming soon

Guided walks
(Tailored as necessary to suit your group's interests or age)
Take a walk with us; let us introduce you to the cattle, visit our willow beds, find out about our wonderful hedgerows and meadows and hear about the day to day issues we are dealing with at the moment. Whatever the time of year, there are common farmland birds to be seen; sometimes we’re lucky to catch a glimpse of a heron, buzzard, little owl or kingfisher. Here’s a chance to get a little closer to the land, ask anything you wish about what we do and enjoy this beautiful bit of Bedfordshire.
Duration 2-2.5 hours.
Terrain unsurfaced, undulating grass with some slopes of up 1:10. No stiles or other similar barriers. Two steps of approx. 20cm onto and off a footbridge (can be avoided)
Charge
£2.50/person; maximum number 25; minimum charge £35
Light refreshments can be provided at the end or during these sessions if required at an extra cost.

Walk and willow workshop
(Suitable for all ages over eight years)
A shorter walk to our willow beds, a chance to cut some stems and have a go at making something willowy to take home. Willow is a wonderfully tactile material to work with; we find that most people can be decidedly creative and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to make something. No experience is necessary and we provide everything you need.
Duration 3 hours.
Terrain unsurfaced, undulating grass with some slopes of up 1:10. No stiles or other similar barriers.
Charge
£5.00/person; maximum number 15; minimum charge £50
Light refreshments can be provided at the end or during these sessions if required at an extra cost.

Classes
Whole day sessions for groups in making simple things for the garden from willow and hazel. Held on site, outside on the farm in Gravenhurst. Make a plant support for your garden, willow fencing, hurdle panels, a simple basket...
Best suited to spring or early summer.

Make a plant support
A whole day session for groups in making simple things for the garden from willow and hazel. Make a plant support for your garden.

We make lots of obelisk or pyramidal plant supports from willow each year. They are great for growing sweet peas or any other climbing plant and are relatively easy to make. In a day, you will create something to take away and use in your own garden. We’ll also spend a little time talking about willow – choosing, sorting and selecting. Held on site, outside on the farm in Gravenhurst, so you'll need to come prepared.

Price £45 per person including all materials, tea, coffee and biscuits. Bring your own lunch. Minimum charge £180.
Bookings from groups are welcome

Provisional bookings for April 2012 - please contact us now if you are interested in booking a course or a place on a course.

Coming soon!
All these sessions are at the planning stages. If you are interested in any of them, please contact us now.

Coming soon - Wassledine tales
A chance to enjoy stories in a beautiful farmland setting, either as part of a walk around the farm or routed in one location, near the banks of the River Hitt. Great views of the landscape, river, trees, hedges and wildlife provide the backdrop and contribute to the atmosphere (and sometimes the stories). Storytelling is a lovely way to connect with a place. Just for fun but not just for children.

More about Wassledine storytelling

Please contact us to discuss visits for spring/summer 2012.

Amid the willows [image thanks to Anne Collett-White/CPRE]

Coming soon - Cows in the countryside
Where does food come from?
We feel it’s important to talk about the food we eat – how it’s produced, who’s involved and why quality in production is so important. We feel strongly that farmed animals should be well looked after and enjoy as stress-free and natural a life as possible.

Jane spends lots of time working on nature reserves, in school grounds and country parks and we are beginning to offer similar opportunities here in Gravenhurst, for groups to enjoy and find out about this landscape and the way we look after it using the same fun, hands on and interactive methods.

Coming soon - Make a basket
Local basket maker, Martin Hazell will show you the rudiments of the craft, including a quick introduction to basket making willow. You will go home carrying something in which you can carry something else; consider this a taster day for the future!

t. 01462 711815
m. 07794 013876
e. info(at)wassledine.co.uk

Coming soon - Fencing and hurdles
Rustic fencing is popular and beautiful in a garden setting. It provides effective screening and protection without being overly formal. We will tackle some simple techniques and designs and include information about living willow.

Wassledine landscape [image Barry Halton/CPRE]

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