Pierrpont Farm
CRT’s Pierrepont is a 200-acre heathland dairy farm near Frensham in rural Surrey
At its heart is a working Jersey robotic dairy and a collection of historic Grade II listed farm buildings. We have restored disused dairy buildings into vibrant artisan business units surrounded by idyllic countryside and wildlife.
Dairy farmers find the cost of producing quality milk and providing great habitat for both cattle and wildlife a real challenge. Figures show that the number of registered dairy producers in the UK fell by 61% between 1995 and 2014.
With support from our donors, CRT has enabled Mike and Bev Clear, the tenant farmers at Pierrepont to offer a home to these charismatic cows and wonderful wildlife.
Pierrepont Farm is where tradition and technology work together. The cows are fitted with special ankle ‘tags’ so they are free to take themselves from field to cowshed and into the state-of-the-art dairy building, where they are milked using an automatic robotic diary. The tags allow the farmer to track the cows' location, productivity and health. The robotic dairy milks the cow, measures the weight of the udder and tests the quality of the milk.
There is a wet meadow beside the River Wey, which has been designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its important flora. The river is abundant with fish and other wildlife including some of the most beautiful dragonflies.
The farm has several different areas of woodland. Each has its own unique feature and they are all alive with wildlife. Volunteers play a vital role at Pierrepont Farm working with Mike to conduct conservation activities and complete all the wildlife monitoring. The volunteers manage the woodlands and have a conservation management plan, whereby they regularly coppice trees and allow for different habitats to thrive as light enters. They even make charcoal on the farm, which they sell to fund their conservation activities. They are a happy bunch and always welcome new members!
The farm has several different areas of woodland. Each has its own unique feature and they are all alive with wildlife. Volunteers play a vital role at Pierrepont Farm working with Mike to conduct conservation activities and complete all the wildlife monitoring. The volunteers manage the woodlands and have a conservation management plan, whereby they regularly coppice trees and allow for different habitats to thrive as light enters. They even make charcoal on the farm, which they sell to fund their conservation activities. They are a happy bunch and always welcome new members!
Pierrepont provides an outstanding environment for enterprise and food sustainability within an Area of Outstanding Landscape Value. It is only a 10-minute cycle ride from Frensham and many locals visit the Old Dairy business units for local produce, including ale, cider, cheese, jewellery, Windsor chairs and more