Lower Smite Farm

Purchased in 2001, the farm is managed to demonstrate how sensitive farming techniques can improve the quality of the agricultural landscape for wildlife.  For information about how we’re managing the farm, please visit our Food & Farming pages.

The nature trail takes in a range of habitats around the farm including a replanted traditional orchard, a wetland, several ponds, arable fields and bird food crops.  In spring, visitors should listen for displaying skylarks in the fields and for reed warbler around the ponds in summer.  Whitethroat and reed buntings are also worth keeping a lookout for during the summer months and large flocks of finches – green, gold and chaffinch – are plentiful throughout winter.

The ponds at Lower Smite Farm are great for dragonflies and up to fifteen different species are seen in most years including broad-bodied chaser, emperor, black-tailed skimmer and azure damselfly.

The wide field margins - some planted with special seed mix, some left to develop their own flora – encourage a wide range of insects with butterflies frequently observed.  Bees and butterflies can also be spotted in good numbers in the gardens in front of the main farmhouse.  These are managed to help schoolchildren attending our education centre discover more about the importance of growing your own food and gardening for wildlife.

The buildings at Lower Smite Farm form the Trust’s operational base.  Commercial gain from the farm and room lettings is used to support the education programmes run from the centre and on our nature reserves throughout the county.