Smallholding, orchard, woodland

Suffolk

16 reviews • Updated 6 months ago

Update - free from end April through all of May to host. We live on a 7 acre farm in north Suffolk with our family. We have been here for around 7 years. Much of the land is managed for wildlife, there is a large and beautiful pond, hedges, old oak trees and pastures. We also have vegetable beds, fruit beds and chickens and we hope to have sheep one day and plant a new orchard. We also run a thatching business from the farm. We are happy to host families with children. We have 10 year old twin boys and a teenage daughter. We have a self-contained static caravan available to stay in, really nice spot. We both work, this means that sometimes we aren't around to participate in the farm together, although of course we will as much as possible. It's worked really well to have a couple here in the past, or families, or friends, or of course would also suit someone that doesn't mind being alone some of the time. Also for the right person we are interested in hosting a longer term wwoofer. It's very quiet here. There are no neighbours, no public transport and its about 2 miles into town. We are happy to drop you there though if you don't have a car and want to go exploring on the train etc. We also have bikes. We are a really busy family so there are always things that need doing here, jobs to finish and projects to get stuck into. We try to make sure the experience here is varied for anyone staying, but sometimes we really need to all get stuck into projects like building fences or mowing and raking. We normally have some building projects we would like to do, so would welcome anyone with DIY skills. We don't expect you to be super fit but you will be outdoors in all weathers so do come prepared to get muddy, hot, wet and sometimes cold. A can-do attitude is a must. We are both very used to being outdoors in all weathers so it doesn't bother us to stick a raincoat on and keep going if we are really into a project! We normally have 5 days on the farm, from around 9am - 3/4pm, and 2 days off. Days off might be weekdays or weekends as we like to do things together on the farm over the weekends, so just depends what we have going on. The caravan will be yours whilst you are here (although we also have a spare room in the house which some guests stay in), but we always eat together and cook together (and wash up!). Of course we will respect it if you want some time away from our family in the caravan. Also if you want to come and have some time to yourself, just say, because we have the space it is possible. We don't eat fully organic food, we aren't fully vegetarian or vegan and we don't live in any particular style. We are quite a normal busy family and will be delighted to welcome you as long as are happy to fit in with us. We have 2 dogs, one is quite bouncy, and our kids are noisy and we can be a little chaotic in a good way! Please if you have things that may affect your stay tell us before you come, personal circumstances, strong expectations, diet, mental health, physical health etc, its so much easier to share this before arriving. Likewise, please ask any questions when we speak to make sure you want to stay here with us. It’s nice to have a chat over the phone (whats app usually on a video call) before we decide to host to make sure everyone is happy with the stay. Organic methods: The farm is managed organically and much of it is left for wildlife, dead wood, uncut grassland, mature hedges etc. We have established 'spagetti' and 'hugelkulture' vegetable beds. Certifications: Not certified organic but chemical and artificial fertiliser free Current projects we have on the farm: * Preparing for and putting up a new polytunnel * Installing water butts to the house and barns to collect water * Working out how to irrigate with a rainwater system * Building new compost heaps * Weeding and looking after veg garden and flower beds * Scything and raking * Managing creeping thistles (pulling, mowing, cutting with tractor) * Farm building renovation projects where needed * Looking after chickens (feeding, egg collecting, cleaning out, keeping nettles cut) * Mowing and raking areas of grassland * Creating new wildflower meadows with green hay * Hedge and apple tree planting (autumn/winter) * Pruning apple trees (winter) * Pruning roses (winter) * Looking after the pond - taking out plants overtaking the water (autumn/winter) * Looking after the meadows (filling holes our dogs have dug and moving stones before grass cutting) * Helping to tidy/sort the barns and outbuildings * If anyone was interested there would be the opportunity to spend some time learning about the thatching business. Internet access is good. One request - if you contact us please finish the conversation! So many people recently have not been responding after requesting to come here!

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Poultry farming

Forestry

Methods or systems

Permaculture

Host type

Production farm

Former WWOOFer

2.8 Hectares | 7 Acres

Accommodation

2 WWOOFers

Bedroom

Camper / RV

Campsite

Cabin / Mobile-home

Children 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

Martha

Member since 2019

Languages spoken: English, Spanish Response rate: 99% Response time: typically within 7 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Suffolk

We are 2 miles from the centre of the small market town of Halesworth on the road to Beccles

Reviews

Tiffany

United States • October 2025

Simply perfect. I am in such gratitude for my experience with Martha, [Host] Farm, her family & community! The whole family is such a vibe, coolest people, great chefs, and embraced me with warmth. I got to pick 5+ apple trees, pick blackberries all over their land, and tend to the vegetable garden. A perfect mix of solo + supported work. Would definitely recommend & hope to go back :) Thank you!

Noemie

France • August 2025

We have had a very nice stay at [Host] Farm. Martha was very welcoming and we have really appreciated sharing the everyday life of this english family. We have worked with no pressure (cutting grass and thistles; taking care of the chicken, the apple trees and the garden...) and enjoyed some free time to discover the beach, the pub in the surroundings, as well as Norwich with the whole family. Thank you for the fun we had together and your positive attitude at any time !!

Ritesh kumar

United Kingdom • May 2025

We had a truly amazing time at your beautiful farm! Staying in your cozy, warm cabin was such comforting experience, it really felt like home. Dom was absolutely wonderful-laid back, kind, & full of positive energy. His super cool kids added even more joy to our time there. We did some simple & fun jobs around the farm, like mowing, cutting branches, & sowing flower plants. Nothing was too hard -it was all easy going and enjoyable, especially because there was no pressure. We could work at our own pace, Which made everything more relaxing & fun. We also absolutely love spending time with dogs - They are such lovely friendly souls! & since with both love pets being around them made our experience even more special. love you doggos! Thank you, Martha, as well , We didn't get to spend much time together, but we really enjoyed the lovely evening dinner we had with you. It was short but sweet. Overall, our stay felt like chilled out WWOOFing. your farm is super cool. full of good vibes thank you for hosting us& making us feel so welcome

Reply from Martha

Thankyou for such lovely words and sorry I didn't get to spend more time together!

Moonyong

South Korea • April 2025

Our kids were very happy to play with Martha's kids. The farm was large and there was a lot of space to play and rest(also work), which was great. There were two puppies, chickens that laid eggs every day, four rats, and many other creatures living happily together. So my whole family was happy and satisfied with our life there. On our days off, Martha showed us activities we could enjoy and kindly took us there or brought us there if possible. Even now, my family thinks about that place once a day. We look forward to seeing them again.

Ayami

Japan • September 2024

Staying with Martha and her sweet family was such an amazing experience (the best wwofing experience I've ever had). Martha was always extra supportive about everything and cheerful and bright! We got to do different, interesting tasks every day, from picking up apples off the trees (to make juice!) to fixing the chicken run, in addition to the daily tasks like taking care of chickens and vegetables. My husband and I were so sad to leave the place after 3 weeks, as they welcomed us as a family, including us to every family activity they were doing. The caravan we stayed in had everything - two bedrooms, a living room, a well-equipped kitchen, a private shower... It was super comfortable to stay in! They have two sweetest dogs, Leggit and Pit, and we bonded super well. I miss every moment I spent at Martha's, and I'm sure my husband and I will be back visiting her and her family in the near future!

Leandro

Switzerland • August 2024

I had an amazing first WWOOFing experience at Pastures Farm. The very welcoming family picked us up at the station - even though we arrived late - and offered us tea right away. We stayed in a really cozy caravan and had a list of works to be done - what, when, and how was up to us, wich made the whole stay very pleasant. We were always welcome in the activities the family did organize and if we needed a lift somewhere we just had to ask! Really a great stay for unexperienced WWOOFERs looking for a short-period Farm.