About us

Fordhall Organic Farm, in Market Drayton, north Shropshire, is England’s first community-owned farm following a high profile campaign in 2006. At the time over 8,000 people across the world supported siblings Charlotte and Ben Hollins to save their family home. Now owned by the community and farmed by Ben Hollins, Fordhall is a wonderful example of community spirit and real organic farming.

A Place in the Sun

Fordhall Organic Farm is free to visit. We aim to show that small-scale farming, connected to the local community, offers a viable way of life for generations to come. The farm has been chemical free for over 65 years, and we rear cattle, sheep and pigs on an outdoor extensive grazing system.

As England’s first community owned farm we offer a day out for the whole family with Farm Trails, Farm Shop, and Arthur’s Farm Kitchen café (open from mid April for Saturdays and Sundays only – outdoor seating as per current restrictions).

You can even spend a magical glamping holiday here in our Shropshire-made Mongolian yurts. Our beautiful eco Straw Lodge is available to host your event or offer accommodation for larger groups (families of 6 are even being welcomed in autumn and winter of 2020 – booking information is here)

We also run a range of events, volunteering activities, Youth Project and our Care Farm.

You can even become a shareholder of this wonderful farm, or gift a share to family or friends if you are looking for an ethical gift – find our more!

Opening hours:

Tuesday – Saturday: 9.30am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm

CLOSED Dec 24th 1pm – 1st January

Farm Shop opens Saturday 2nd January 2021 9.30am
Arthur’s Farm Kitchen Café open Saturdays and Sundays only for outdoor seating from 17th April 2021 (no bookings, first come first served).  We still offer Sunday Lunch takeaway if pre-booked by the Thursday before.

Contact us:

Office (for cafe bookings and enquiries about visiting, yurts, events, volunteering and projects) – Tel: 01630 638696 | Email: project@fordhallfarm.com

Farm Shop/Butchery – 01630 317531

To receive a welcome direct from Ben and Charlotte Hollins, listen to this .mp3 (recorded by them in 2009)