Fernhill Farm

Adaptation for education and cultural exchange at one of the UK’s most influential regenerative pastoral farms set within an ancient cultural and landscape.

Type Rural Diversification

Client Fernhill Farm

Location Cheddar, Somerset

Size 65 Hectares

Budget Undisclosed

Status RIBA Stage 3

Situated in the middle of Mendip Hills AONB, the farm encompasses 160 acres comprising mainly grasslands with 10 acres of woodland, orchard and kitchen garden. Additional land of the National Trust, Woodland Trust and neighbouring farms are also grazed.

The site features Neolithic and Bronze Age burial barrows and ring ditches of archaeological importance, with arrowheads and flint knappings having been discovered on the land. It is also located under 5 miles from the oldest known human skeleton found at Cheddar Caves (10,000yo)

We have been working closely with Fernhill Farm to plan a new educational framework for the remaining ruinous and curtilage listed structures. Fernhill Farm recently became a ‘Community Interest Company’ (CIC) and we have aligned our design response and values enthusiastically, participating in farm open days and events to discuss proposals with the visiting public from a pro-actively early stage.

The project as a whole continues to unify the site – providing a diversified farm business and a multi- generational home. The intention is to raise the profile of Fernhill Farm as an attractive destination for agriculturally related hospitality, commerce and educational discourse.