The Hill Farm Headline Here A wealth of natural beauty.

Whether you are interested in a quiet walk in the countryside, finding out more about the natural beauty of , or taking part in a guided walk or study day then Hill Farm is the place for you.

We offer a place for you to experience nature, with tranquil spots and hidden places far from the stresses and strains of the working week. It is a place where you can really switch off and immerse yourself in the woodland, fields and water features.

The farm is a changing palette from season to season with the beauty of the spring flowers, The Hill Farm, the rich colours of summer as the crops ripen, Castle Frome the myriad of autumnal hues and then the hibernating winter time waiting for spring to start Herefordshire the cycle again. HR8 1HL

The farm is located just off the A4103 equi- distant between and Worcester at Tel: 01531 640821 PLACE PHOTO HERE, Fromes Hill, just north of Ledbury (B4214). Fax: 01531 640820 OTHERWISE DELETE BOX Mobile: 07889 200171 Email: [email protected] The Hill Farm

Rediscover your wonder at all the beauty of nature and how the seasons revolve

Rob and Louise Manning

Geology and Habitats The underlying geology of Herefordshire is predominantly Devonian ‘Old Red Sandstone’. In the Malverns, a very old, pre-Cambrian area occurs, comprising metamorphic rock with igneous intrusions. Beds of Silurian limestone occur beyond the Malverns, and extend as far as Hill Farm. Herefordshire Plateau

Biodiversity Here The Landform Herefordshire has a rich variety of natural Key characteristics of this species and habitats. Key priority species and The Herefordshire Plateau is dominated by habitats that can be seen on the farm include: area its rolling landform, rising gently to its  Barn owls and Bats  Gently-rolling plateau dissected by highest ground around the Iron Age hill forts  Cereal field margins small narrow valleys. of Garmsley Camp and Wall Hill, (north of  Abrupt edges against the Frome valley. ) from which steep-sided valleys  Hedgerows  Open arable cultivation on plateau. Hop radiate. Much of the plateau has been given  Rivers and streams fields (now dwarf rather than tall). over to farming cultivation.Herefordshire is Enclosed pasture in valleys. the most wooded county in the West  Woodland and wet woodland  Sparsely-populated: scattered hamlets Midlands and it is renowned for its areas of We are also setting land aside for wildlife with and farmsteads in red, pink and grey ancient woodland. flower enriched margins for butterflies and sandstone and brick. bees and grassed areas for beetles and other  Valley bottom meadows. invertebrates. As part of the Higher Level Farmstead characteristics Scheme we are looking to replant traditional  Cider and fruit orchards Historically the arable cultivation was orchards too. concentrated in the river valleys of the Wye, Lugg and Frome. In the 17th and 18th centuries the central Herefordshire plain Enjoy what we have to offer was primarily a wheat and livestock region. Pigs often lived in the orchards. Cider making stretches back to the 14th century  Quiet walks with hop yards from 18th century,  Guided walks  Study sessions for small groups and special interest groups Extensive water meadow systems  Guided walks and talks for groups developed from 17th century. In contrast to  Academic study to meet the needs of most arable areas the farms were small, the the national curriculum and further and majority below 50 acres in the mid-19th higher education study century and family farms continue to be a  Refreshments also available by feature today. arrangement.