This beautiful cliff top farm is situated on the North Cornish coast between the pretty fishing harbour of Boscastle and the sleepy seaside village of Crackington Haven.
The 200-acre National Trust farm starts just above Crackington Haven and runs in a narrow strip nearly to Beeny. The farmland is very steep with the highest cliff in Cornwall on one side, rolling down to steep valleys and ancient woodland on the inland side. On the cliff edge you will find wild goats grazing rough gorse and heathers.
Strangles beach is situated below the farm. There is a local rumour that it was named so by the early Cornish smugglers who, when they saw it from the sea said that it looked like ‘strange-hills’ and over time the locals changed this to “strangles”.
Here, where lungfuls of fresh air are plentiful, is where a herd of our native Red Ruby cattle graze outside all year round. Munching lush grass right up to the cliff edge, with view spectacular views out to Lundy Island.
Our Devon cattle are traditional to this area, they are very hardy and designed to withstand the wind coming off the atlantic which can be very forceful, especially during the winter. On the cattle you often find striking patterns, like warpaint. This is where the native cattle have a strong natural instinct to seek out amazing minerals that live in the soils of the cliffs that are so good for them to eat as part of their diet.
Gayle and Henry's pedigree herd is 100% grass fed only and graze the Cornish coast outside all year round. The cattle are calved outside in amongst nature and are kept with their mother's for around 10 - 11 months until they have naturally weaned. This land is farmed with total respect for nature. Gayle and Henry passionately believe themselves to be custodians of the land and do their best to look after it for the generations to come.
Gayle and Henry are magnificent farmers, their connection to this place is visceral and runs deep. Their passion for protecting traditional Cornish hedgerows, creating corridors for wildlife on their farm is inspiring. Their commitment to rearing the best, contented stock, in harmony with nature, is why they have been part of our tapestry of the very best family farms for 5 years.
Henry and Gayle describe this special place as a "real labour of love". The farmhouse, which houses the family, as well holiday accommodation - just about as lovely a place as you can rest your head, is the jewel in the crown of this stunning location, making it an amazing place to live and farm.
It is hard to say who really is the luckiest of all; Gayle and Henry to live and work in this extraordinary place, the cattle - who it could be argued enjoy one of the best views in the country, or us - to be able to work with such a special family and provide the finest food for you to enjoy, that you can have complete and utter confidence in.
