Smallholding

Bedfordshire

68 • Updated 7 days ago

🌿 Welcome Get stuck in —pick fresh veggies, tame the hedges, stack logs for winter, give our sheds a good old tidy, and give our tractors a well-earned spa day!" 2025 brought an unusually high number of applications - around 300, and we've had to be especially thoughtful about what we can realistically offer in 2026. Looking ahead, our focus will continue to be short, long-weekend stays, as they tend to work best for everyone involved. This includes August 2026 Weekends Friday July 31st - Tuesday August 4th and: 7th to 9th August 14th to 18th August 21st to 24th August 28th to 31st August 18th -22nd Sept 24th to 29th Sept 1st Oct - 6th Oct and weekends on from there. A Hands-On, Sustainable Experience in Nature I appreciate your interest in staying with us. Whether you're looking for a break from city life, eager to pick up new skills, or simply curious about rural living, we're excited to share our farm, our way of life, and our values with you. We welcome WWOOFers of all backgrounds—whether you're an experienced helper or new to this way of travel and learning. Everyone brings something special, and there's always something to do, see, and enjoy here. 📅 Seasonal Stay Options focusing on weekend breaks The original aim of WWOOFing was for weekend breaks away from London. Most of our guests stay for short visits—long weekends of three or four days—which work especially well for those living close to London. The main season runs from March through to October, with a mix of one-day visits, weekend projects, and week-long stays. During the summer, we sometimes host guests for longer periods, particularly when there are larger projects or events underway. During the week, we prefer to focus on our other interests and activities other than hosting wwoofers. Each season has its own flavour and rhythm. In the spring, the farm comes alive with planting, preparation, and community events. Summer is the peak of activity, especially during hay harvest in June and July—one of our favourite times of the year. Autumn is perfect for land work and shows, and the colder months bring their own charm, with tree felling, country skills, and firewood processing keeping us warm and busy. You'll also have the chance to take part in seasonal highlights such as the May Fair, the Herts County Show, the local Flower & Veg Show in September, and traditional events like the Ploughing Match (October) or Farm Walks (August). These are wonderful opportunities to meet the community and feel part of the local rhythm. 🌾 Life on the farm There's something deeply grounding about daily life on a working farm. One of the biggest highlights is our haymaking—it's a real team effort and one of the busiest times of the year. Over the years, our hay has even taken first prize at county competitions, and we're always proud to share that experience with our guests. Throughout the year, you might find yourself helping with animal care, gardening, weeding, harvesting, or prepping for events. There's also forestry work, property maintenance, and occasional building projects. Every day brings something a little different, and we try to match your interests and skills with the tasks at hand. 🛠 Calling All Skilled Helpers If you've got a background—or even just an interest—in construction, engineering, maintenance, IT, or any other practical hands-on work, we'd love to hear from you. Skilled volunteers passionate about sustainable living are especially welcome, and we'll do our best to connect you with meaningful work that matches your experience. To get a better sense of what's currently happening at the farm, you can check out our Trello board: 🔗 WWOOFer Projects https://trello.com/b/h83ZduVv/bury-farm-guest-opportunities 🏡 Our Two Unique Locations Our main base is nestled in the Chilterns, in a beautiful part of southern England. It offers the perfect balance between rural peace and urban convenience—just 19 minutes by fast train from London and 15 minutes from Luton Airport. The farm is set in six acres of paddocks and private grounds and includes a five-bedroom farmhouse, stables, animal pens, and an organic garden. You'll find an eco-conscious setup with features such as natural insulation and a ground-source heat pump for heating. We also have regular pickups and great public transport connections, making your journey here easy and stress-free. Our second location is in the picturesque village of Ceres, near St Andrews in Scotland. While there's no livestock at this site, it offers a different but equally rewarding experience rooted in community and creativity. Ceres is famous for hosting the world's oldest Highland Games each June—a fantastic cultural event and a highlight of the summer. 🌱 Sustainability in Action At Kensworthbury, sustainability isn't just an idea—it's how we live. We care deeply about our land and our impact, and we invite every guest to join us in that mission. We follow regenerative practices that put the health of the soil, water, and ecosystems first. We compost, mulch, collect rainwater, and create habitats to encourage biodiversity. Our buildings are designed with environmental performance in mind—think passive solar heating, natural materials, and energy efficiency. Even our cleaning routines follow low-waste, biodegradable methods. In the kitchen, we serve both seasonal, plant-forward meals and meat made from homegrown or locally sourced ingredients. We avoid single-use plastics entirely and compost all our food waste. Everyone staying with us becomes part of this thoughtful, low-impact way of life, whether that means taking shorter showers, reusing bottles, or helping sort the recycling. It's all part of the experience. 💤 Your Accommodation Our accommodations are clean, warm, and comfortable. Most guests have their own room, though during busier periods you might share with one other. Bathrooms and living spaces are shared, and the atmosphere is always friendly, respectful, and relaxed. We take hygiene seriously—especially in shared spaces—and we appreciate everyone's help in keeping the environment safe and pleasant. ⏳ Flexible Stays We're happy to tailor your visit to suit your needs. Some guests come for a weekend stay, arriving on Thursday evening or Friday and leaving Monday or Tuesday. It's the perfect snapshot of farm life and a great way to contribute without committing too much time. Others prefer to stay for two consecutive weekends, with optional low-cost hostel stays in London midweek—this can be a great way to balance farm work with exploring the city. And in the summer, we often invite skilled and enthusiastic guests to stay longer—sometimes a month or more—depending on the projects we're running. Just let us know your availability, and we'll work something out. Flexibility goes both ways! 🌍 More Than Just Farming Although farming is our core, our family also runs a variety of other ventures. You may have the chance to get involved in areas such as agricultural engineering, IT and FinOps, film production, car and vehicle repairs, or property maintenance. If you're curious and hands-on, ask—we love helping guests explore new skills and passions. 💬 Learn, Connect, Grow We want your time here to be meaningful. That's why we've created a Trello board filled with useful information, project updates, and learning materials. You'll find everything from the application process and current opportunities to sustainability resources, personal development guides, and real feedback from past guests. Take a look before you arrive to get a sense of what's waiting : https://trello.com/b/h83ZduVv/bury-farm-guest-opportunities 🎒 Ready to Join Us? Every day offers the chance to get your hands dirty, learn something new, and connect with others in a beautiful setting. Whether you're planting vegetables, feeding animals, joining a hay harvest, or simply enjoying the peace and rhythm of rural life, we believe your stay here will leave you inspired, refreshed, and grounded. So if you're ready for a real, shared experience rooted in nature, learning, and community—we can't wait to welcome you. Louise & Mario

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Pig farming

Sheep or goat farming

Flower farming

Meat processing

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Bakery

Renewable energy production

Mechanics / tools / technology

Methods or systems

Biological pest control

Biodynamic agriculture

Host type

Self-sufficiency property

2.4 Hectares | 6 Acres

Accommodation

4+ WWOOFers

Bedroom

Children not accepted

Pets accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Vegan

Length of stay

1 day (local)

Weekend

Less than a week

1-2 weeks

3-4 weeks

Over a month

Louise & Mario

Member since 2019

Languages spoken: English, French

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 3 days

Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Bedfordshire

Kensworthbury is situated 30 miles from the centre of London and close to London Luton and Heathrow airports.Some wwoofers cycle into London We are also close to the M1 & M25 motorway and are served with two major rail lines London Euston to Tring and

My past WWOOFers

Mia

July 2026 • 서울특별시 / Seoul, South Korea

Zaynah

June 2026 • Cardiff, United Kingdom

Iona

March 2026 • Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Delila

March 2026 • Bath and North East Somerset, United Kingdom

Momoko

August 2025 • Japan

1 - 5 / 38

Feedback

Mia

South Korea • July 2026

We really enjoyed our weekend at [Host]. The attic room was so cozy and comfortable. It was really convenient having the bathroom and toilet right there. On Friday afternoon, after finishing our farm work, we went to the pub with Louise and her two adorable dogs and had a great time drinking beer. The scenery on the way to the pub was beautiful, too. We mostly worked with Louise, and she clearly explained the tasks we needed to do. We mainly helped organize the shed, rake up fallen leaves, and prune the roses, and she was patient enough to wait for her inexperienced niece to get the hang of things. Mario was a wonderful person with a passion for food. I’ll especially never forget his homemade pizza. Thank you, Louise and Mario, for inviting us to have this new experience.

Reply from Louise & Mario

Hosting Mia was an absolute highlight for us. From the moment she arrived during her sabbatical year, she proved to be a diligent and active worker who brought boundless energy, focus, and an incredible work ethic to every project on the property. As a marathon runner and avid hiker who has trekked Annapurna, her exceptional stamina and adventurous spirit shone through in everything she did. Her upbeat attitude made her a genuine pleasure to have around with a positive disposition that truly brightened our home and daily farm routines. Beyond her physical drive, Mia is an remarkably able engineer with two decades of experience in electrical engineering—specialising in induction motors for EV and heavy industry. Her high level of technical understanding, problem-solving ability, and practical insight were invaluable assets during her stay. Complementing her specialised professional background, she is also exceptionally good at manual tasks with hand tools, tackling physical farm work and maintenance with precision, safety, and impressive skill. Her genuine interest in sustainable living, organic farming, and sharing knowledge made her an invaluable asset to our project. Mia is the complete package: technically gifted, physically capable, and a joy to host. Any WWOOF host would be lucky to have her, and she is welcome back here anytime!

Iona

United Kingdom • March 2026

I stayed at the farm for a weekend and it was exactly what I needed - a change of pace and a chance to be outdoors and get my hands dirty! Louise and Mario are very accommodating, kind people, and the house and location are absolutely beautiful. Mario prepared delicious, healthy meals for us, and I enjoyed hearing some of their stories! They also have the sweetest two dogs that always kept us company whatever we were up to. I worked on various tasks, including building a fence from tree branches which was very rewarding. I also got the chance to go to the local pub and on a walk with Louise and the dogs when we were done working for the day. It was a great experience!

Reply from Louise & Mario

Iona joined us at [Host] for her first WWOOF experience and was a wonderful addition to the farm during her stay. From the start she approached every task with enthusiasm, curiosity and a genuine appreciation for working outdoors. During her visit she helped with a range of seasonal land projects including tree clearing, hedgelaying and stacking woodpiles for the winter. These jobs require patience and physical effort, and Iona approached them with a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn. She quickly became confident working alongside the team and contributed meaningfully to several projects around the property. One of Iona’s standout qualities is her creativity. Her natural artistic eye translated beautifully into practical land work. When helping shape hedges and natural barriers she showed a strong instinct for structure and form, creating results that were not only functional but also visually pleasing. It was rewarding to see someone apply creative thinking so naturally to traditional countryside skills. Iona was also a thoughtful and easy guest to host. She fitted well into the rhythm of life, was respectful of shared spaces, won the trust of the animals and brought a friendly and positive presence to the household. We would happily recommend her to other WWOOF hosts.

Delila

United Kingdom • March 2026

Great weekend away - welcoming, kind, knowledgeable Host - would definitely recommend! If you are looking for a meaningful, high-energy weekend where you can swap the city for the soil, [Host] is the gold standard. I recently completed a short-stay break here and cannot recommend it enough for those who want a genuine, hands-on introduction to regenerative smallholding without the pressure of a long-term commitment. The Welcome & Safety From the moment I arrived, Louise and Mario made me feel completely at home. Mario was very kind to pick me up at the station and drive me to the house. The environment is grounded, respectful, and incredibly inclusive. Accommodation & Facilities - Bedroom: My room was great. It was clean, tidy, and had all the amenities needed. I was also given anything that may be needed additionally - the Hosts are kind and accommodating. The room is bright and has nice views overlooking the countryside and good facilities for shower/toilets. It feels safe and very much part of the house and family! - The Kitchen & Cuisine: The heart of the home! The food was absolutely delicious—wholesome, fresh, and often featuring ingredients straight from the land. It was very healthy food and Mario and Louise were kind to accommodate different choices for guests and emphasised healthier options to suit as needed. They kindly tried to provide me with healthier options and the food was truly delicious! I would definately recommend the recipes! The Wor...

Reply from Louise & Mario

Delila was an exemplary guest at [Host]. From the moment she arrived, her polite and well-mannered nature made us immediately comfortable having her in our family home. She is a natural fit for hosts who value mutual respect and clear communication. Integration & Cuisine Delila showed immense appreciation for our homegrown organic food and the effort behind our farm-to-table lifestyle. She thrived during our communal family meals, remaining completely unfazed by—and even leaning into—the lively debates that characterise our dinner table. Work Ethic & Tools She approached every task with a focus on learning rather than mere "labour." Delila proved herself proficient with manual tools, showing great care and safety. We were so impressed that on her next visit, we plan to introduce her to power tools. Her dedication was so high that we actually had to remind her to take rests and breaks! Animal Connection Her empathy with our animals was remarkable; they were immediately attracted to her calm, kind energy, which made daily chores a joy. A Note for Volunteers Delila is the perfect example of a high-energy "short weekend break" WWOOFer. [Host] is a place for meaningful contribution, not a "free Airbnb" or a spot for long-term drifters. If you follow Delila’s lead and arrive ready to work and learn, you will find a rewarding, high-standard experience here. Delila, you are welcome back anytime!

Rachel

United Kingdom • October 2025

We had a wonderful time at [Host]Farm. We loved spending time with Louise, Mario, Joshua, and their two adorable dogs! The food was delicious and the home was beautiful. Thank you for a great experience!

Reply from Louise & Mario

Rachel and Sophia joined us at Kensworthbury for a short but memorable stay over the weekend of 25th October. They were considerate, capable, and genuinely engaged from the moment they arrived, bringing curiosity, initiative, and care to every task. They quickly adapted to the rhythm of farm life, helping with late-season harvests, shed tidying, and general maintenance. Their work was thoughtful and thorough, always completed to a high standard. Rachel’s background in Environmental Science and Public Policy showed through in her insightful questions about soil and ecosystem health, while Sophia (Katie) impressed us with her practical attitude, keen interest in chainsaws, and willingness to learn safely and effectively. Their shared focus on sustainability was clear throughout their stay, reflecting a genuine commitment to environmentally conscious living. They were perfect house guests — tidy, respectful, and easy to host — and showed kindness and acceptance towards neurodivergent behaviour, which we greatly valued. Both showed real appreciation for the WWOOF experience and the effort involved in hosting, engaging thoughtfully with the farm’s regenerative approach. We wholeheartedly recommend Rachel and Sophia to any host. They embody the spirit of WWOOFing — open-minded, hardworking, and environmentally aware — and would be welcome back to Kensworthbury anytime.

Emma

United States • August 2025

I spent a lovely 3 days at the farm, would definitely recommend! Lovely surroundings great for walking and running, amazing food, fantastic people - and perhaps most importantly, the two most adorable dogs ever! Mario and Louise were both extremely attentive and warm and made me feel right at home. I had a blast enriching my farm skills, learning everything from how to operate power tools to how to chop wood and even how to drive a small tractor with trailer. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Reply from Louise & Mario

Emma stayed with us for a short but memorable visit, and we could not have asked for a more delightful guest. From the moment she arrived, she demonstrated exceptional maturity, warmth, and curiosity — qualities well beyond her years. She integrated seamlessly into our routine, showing great initiative and a genuine eagerness to learn about sustainability put into practice. Emma is bright, thoughtful, and very capable, quickly picking up practical tasks and applying herself with care and precision. Whether it was helping in the garden, assisting with farm maintenance, or asking insightful questions about our methods, she approached everything with enthusiasm and attention to detail. Her interest in organic gardening and green space shone through, and she was keen to broaden her practical skills further. On a personal level, Emma is charming, engaging, and worldly, making for rich and enjoyable conversation. She has a natural emotional intelligence and an easygoing presence that makes her a pleasure to host. We particularly appreciated her genuine interest in our work and her openness to experiencing the rhythms of life on the farm. We would wholeheartedly recommend Emma to any WWOOF host — she will bring curiosity, capability, and good company in equal measure. Emma, we wish you all the best with your studies and travels, and hope to welcome you back one day.

Jacob

United Kingdom • August 2025

This was my first time WWOOFing and I honestly don’t think I could have had a better experience. The hosts were so welcoming and made me feel at home from the very beginning. I got the chance to try out log splitting with different axes, which was both fun and rewarding, and I also learned a lot about the realities of running a farm, both the challenges as well as the rewards. I was always well fed and well looked after, and I’d happily recommend this farm to anyone considering a stay.

Reply from Louise & Mario

Jacob stayed with us and proved to be an exceptional addition to our team. At just 25, Jacob has already realised there’s more to life than a well-paid corporate job – a refreshing perspective that shines through in his enthusiasm for hands-on work, outdoor living, and connecting with people from all walks of life. From the start, Jacob demonstrated a natural aptitude for practical tasks. He quickly mastered log splitting and stacking, as well as shifting and levelling large quantities of gravel for landscaping projects. His skill with manual axe splitting was particularly impressive – confidently using everything from light 4 kg splitters to the Fiskars X27 on 12-inch rounds. He approached every task with energy, focus, and a genuine desire to do the job well. Safety was second nature to Jacob; we saw no unsafe practices, and he handled tools responsibly. He fitted in seamlessly with our team, inspiring others through his high activity levels and long hours spent working without prompting. In conversation, Jacob was curious, eager to learn, and genuinely interested in hearing about others’ experiences – a charming and thoughtful presence around the farm. We’re already looking forward to his next visit, when we’ll introduce him to long-pole machine hedge trimming, 18" chainsaw logging, and tractor driving. Jacob is a credit to the WWOOF community, and we’d wholeheartedly recommend him to any host. https://photos.app.goo.gl/VS8yLoBEb8FpaNFRA