The Farm
The farm is owned by the Butler family and consists of 1000 acres, which is a mix of 750 acres arable and 250 acres of grassland. Some of that grassland is ancient water meadows for cattle grazing and we also rent Windmill Hill which is a prehistoric site, all part of the Avebury World Heritage Site. My Great Grandfather bought the farm in 1937 and we are the fourth generation to be farming this land in my family.
We have planted and implemented an extensive Countryside Stewardship Scheme over the last 25 years across the farm. That includes six-metre wildflower grass margins around many fields, beetle banks, planting new trees and hedgerows in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, which we have won acclaim for. As a result of this we have had great success with an increase in farmland bird numbers, many of which are on the endangered list.
A nod to the past
Farming in the next five to ten years will be challenging with ever changing government policy. The need for farming businesses to diversify as financial margins have been squeezed has become ever prevalent, and so we took the decision to look at how we could continue to run a viable business and create a future for the next generation of our family to take over.
We are incredibly excited to have been able to breathe new life into what was a disused farmyard. It has served the farm for over 200 years in many forms as a traditional farmyard for livestock and grain storage, however it no longer suited modern day agriculture. We have been anxious not to lose the original history of these buildings and embrace the layers of history embedded into the site. You will find a medley of diverse textures; from corrugated steel, stone walling and timber whilst the array of roof shapes from pitched to shallow make nod to the original farm buildings.
A warm welcome
A separate parking area deliberately placed a short walk from your accommodation encourages you to take a moment to enjoy the thoughtfully landscaped environment; where 3700 trees and plants, wild grasses and meadowland are set into meandering paths to each barn. We invite you to take a moment, stop and savour this special landscape all set within a world heritage site.
The idea of Longstones was conceived nearly 5 years ago, and we are now thrilled to be able to offer these beautiful barns. When guests come and stay, you will know that you have arrived somewhere, not anywhere.
