Group Walk: Sheepdrove Organics Farm, Lambourn Downs

Thursday 18^th September 2025, 4.5 miles

Date: : Thursday 18^th September

Time: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Location: Public parking available by the Red Barn. Sheepdrove, Lambourn. What3Words twig.coins.teardrop

Bedwyn Footpaths Group ventured into Berkshire in September for a delightful walk across the rolling hills of the Lambourn Downs from Sheepdrove Organics. Sheepdrove is an award-winning, family-run, mixed organic farm and events venue. It is renowned for its exceptional conservation work and habitat creation for birds and other wildlife.

The weather was dry and breezy for our walk, perfect for enjoying the fresh air and vast open views. Large flocks of neat, white sheep pepper this landscape. Our 8 walkers stopped briefly to watch a large flock being skilfully guided across the fields by the shepherd and their dogs. They had to patiently gather up one independent sheep who didn’t seem to understand the concept of a flock! The wooden pyramid scratching posts for the sheep and cattle are a thoughtful touch of the farmers’ and seemed to be appreciated by the animals.

We passed the woodland of the natural burial site which prompted some interesting, but relatively light-hearted, discussion on plans for our futures. Along the way were a couple of the recently restored Dew Ponds and we located all three versions of the unique wooden bee houses, the Freedom Reed hive, the Freedom Super hive and the, appropriately named, Rocket hive. Each design with its own advantages for the wild honey bees who might otherwise be searching in vain for a tree hollow to nest in because the downs are only sparsely wooded.

After the walk we were kindly given permission by Sheepdrove Organics to visit other parts of the farm. The beautifully designed Physic garden, with an amazing collection of medicinal plants. We were able to picnic sitting in the slate amphitheatre, more comfortable than our usual resting place on wet grass.  We ended the morning with a walk down to the reed beds. These tiered ponds slowly filter all waste water from the farm until it reaches the bottom of the slope as clean water for the lake. 

Our group were very grateful to everyone at Sheepdrove for making our walking group so welcome and for sharing their wonderful farm with us.

Sheepdrove’s green credentials are visible everywhere, in the buildings, the water and power supplies, and the farmland. These all demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and biodiversity practices.

There are a number of marked trails and interesting noticeboards along the way explaining the routes and the conservation measures. A map of the trails, available from their website and copied below, indicates the location of the Red Barn. There’s lots more information about the venue on their website www.sheepdroveorganics.com.

They frequently hold themed guided conservation walks around the farm which are advertised through the North Wessex Downs website. https://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/ Sign up to their newsletter to hear about these events.