Educational centre, Co-operative for the Benefit of the Community.
Wiltshire
LSF (as we sometimes call ourselves), is a bustling place with lots going on! Two to six of us live here, and there are helpers who live locally, including from the local refugee support centre. We run a residential centre for courses and learning holidays, and a meeting place for various local groups. We have 3 acres of garden, outbuildings and paddocks. Hens, ducks, Kune kune pigs, and a few sheep. Vegetables grown on raised beds and in a polytunnel. Welcome first time WWOOFers, and would appreciate WWOOFers with building maintenance skills to help mend leaky roofs etc! We spend a lot of time in the vegetable garden, there is early morning animal feeding, and mucking out. Help is also with cooking meals for everyone, and cleaning in the shared areas.. Always lots of washing up.
We have breakfast at about 8.30am, then we are usually in the garden, and around the farm from 9am to about 3 or 4pm, with breaks for tea and lunch. You would be welcome to join our activites during those times, and we will share what we know, so you have the opportunity to learn some growing and other skills. Later in the day we prepare food together, so you can help with that too if you like, though sometimes you may need to prepare your own meal. (We provide lots of ingredients). We usually leave two days free for doing what you like.
We take wwoofers for short or long stays, and for day wwoofing. We also have gardening weekends about once a month. We invite potential wwoofers to look at our website before applying, and tell us why they have chosen us in particular.
LSF has been a wwoof host for very many years. We are three adults living here permanently, but there are often other people staying, and lots of local people are involved in looking after the garden and livestock, and helping with the many activities that take place.
We are happy to take wwoofers who have checked out our website and can tell us why they want to come and what they can offer. Please do not use AI for your application - as applications are beginning to sound the same! (We would rather it sounded genuine, possibly with incorrect English, than slick!). We are sorry, but wanting to improve your English speaking is not enough! And we are probably not the best place if you are interested in learning about farming or vegetable production on a commercial scale. Although we have a lovely and productive garden, our main focus is our programme of courses and activities.
Organic methods: Organic garden
Certifications: We are not certified.
Current projects: We have a busy year ahead with lots to do in the thriving fruit and vegetable garden. and around the farm.
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
Former WWOOFer
1.2
Hectares
|
3
Acres
Accommodation
Andrea
Member since 2009
Languages spoken:
English, German, Sign language, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 98%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Wiltshire
TRAIN: Swindon BUS: to Farm . Directions supplied when visit agreed.
Reviews
Laurie
United Kingdom
•
August 2025
I had a brilliant week at [Host]. Matt and Andrea were great hosts, and I felt warmly welcomed during my stay. Tasks were varied, including watering, shifting wood chip, tidying/organising and making apple juice, often alongside fellow wwoofers. We generally worked mornings and then again after lunch until mid afternoon. Meals were tasty and plentiful (generally using vegetables from the garden). It was a pleasure to spend time with everyone at LSF, hear their stories and learn more about the ethos underpinning the place. I would definitely recommend it to others!
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Lane
United Kingdom
•
August 2025
I had a really lovely time at [Host]Farm, thanks to Andrea and Matt and all the kind people who were visiting (including my fellow WWOOFers). Andrea and Matt were welcoming from the outset and I felt able to jump into life there. I enjoyed working around the garden, preparing food with fresh produce, and volunteering to maintain the local woodland area. Several opportunities to meet other locals and have nice chats. The room was cosy and the food was plentiful. There were plenty of spaces to spend time around the farm, including an area with board games and cards. For the other WWOOFers practicing their English, Matt and Andrea were patient and encouraging. I hope I can come again sometime, thank you for having me!
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YVES
France
•
July 2025
For our first experience, it was a total success, it wasn’t just a farm, but a place of live where different things were always happening.
There was a good balance between the varied works (gardening work, cleaning work,, tidying work and taking care animals) and free-time (work mainly done in the morning with tea break).
The highlights :
- Many contacts with the woofeurs, the volunteers, the owneurs and their friends, their children and their grandchildren.
- Delicious meals prepared from garden produce are enjoyed together and provide an opportunity for lots of talk.
- Transport facilities, the farm is closed to the bus stop less 5 mn walk and also a small shopping center.
- Many musical instruments and bicycles are available.
- For the runner, they can participate with Matt in a race organized every Saturday in Lydiard Park
It was lovely to meet Andrea and Matt with their exceptional kidness, this stay will remain for us unforgettable
Thank you again
Yves et Remi
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Susanna
United Kingdom
•
July 2025
I had an amazing time at Lower Shaw Farm! I had the opportunity to help out in the garden, and over time learned about the different vegetables, fruit and berries that grew there and what type of maintenance they required. I even learned to cook some of the wonderful food they make using produce from the garden and also helped to maintain the fantastic flower arrangements around the buildings. Thank you again for hosting me in on your beautiful farm! :D
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Caitlin
United States
•
May 2025
We spent three weeks volunteering on Matt and Andrea’s farm, assisting with daily tasks like animal care, planting, and general maintenance. The work was straightforward, and the accommodations were comfortable and private.
We shared meals with the hosts, which were pleasant, and had the opportunity to join some of their activities, including a local literature festival. The property is well-kept, and the nearby Tesco was convenient for essentials.
Overall, it was a good experience. Matt and Andrea were hospitable, and the stay provided a nice balance of work and downtime.
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Lisa
France
•
February 2025
I had a very lovely stay at Lower Shaw Farm. Andrea and Matt were very friendly and welcoming with me even if I have stayed 4 days.
Thanks to you both and all the best !
