Fernhill Fibre Experience 21st March 2026
Fibre Experience @ Fernhill Farm
Spring 2025 Farm Open Day - to identify, grow, harvest, process and utilise natural, native, regenerative, real, organic fibres, food and fuel
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2026 - Celebrating 10 years of Tournaments @FHF
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2025
Our Blade Shearing Tournament will enable you to compete with many of the top blade shearers in the Northern Hemisphere as they continue their master craft in the sheep shearing shed from 10am - 5pm Sunday 23rd March
GOOD FRIDAY FLEECE SALE 2026
After harvesting our freshly BLADE shorn fleeces in March 2026, we will be delighted to offer you the opportunity to come to the Source of the Resource @ Fernhill Farm to browse our fleece collections on the 3rd April from 10am - 3pmORFC In The Field - accommodation
ORFC in the Field is a program by the Oxford Real Farming Conference that includes farm-based residential workshops.
Fernhill Farm will be hosting our Focus on Fibre on the 7th & 8th April 2026 and for more details, and to book your tickets, please visit the official ORFC website live from 10th Feb 2026
Working with Wool: ORFC in the Field at Fernhill Farm
This page allows ticket holders to pre-book their accommodation here on our farm and please note this is a working livestock farm with 5 working dogs so please leave your dogs out of their territory thanks.
Accommodation options:
Camping is £15 per person / per night
Campervans (including an electric hook-up) is £25 per van / per night (limited availability in Farm yard)
Campervans in the field is £20 per van / per night (unlimited availability)
Bunkbed accommodation in a shepherds style hut is £50 per person / per night (limited availability)
BOOK INDIVIDUAL ACCOMMODATION HERE
Group accommodation units are available onsite and include:
Loft Apartment x 4 - 6 - mix of double and bunk beds with kitchen, washroom, large communal space
Static Caravan for a couple in a double bed - mini kitchen - diner with WC (showers short walk away)
Shetland Arc for a couple / friends x 3 - glamping hut with king bunk beds
please contact jen@fernhill-farm.co.uk with any queries thanks
Agroforestry: Trees on Farms
Morning talk with Silas Hedley-Lawrence www.grassfedfarmer.com & local advisors followed by a farm tour and free lunch provided.
Updates from BART and other local advisors on what grants are available for farmers in the area. Talk from Silas of https://www.grassfedfarmer.com on regenerative farming, soil building and the use of trees to support whole farm systems.
Western Forest representatives will update on their new project and how to access grants for tree planting on farm.
Tour of Fernhill Farm, which have been using various regenerative techniques such as mob grazing, out wintering of cattle, and woodland outdoor pigs. https://fernhillfibre.co.uk/
Delicious free lunch provided with locally sourced produce.
Natural Fibres & Dyes Networking Day
Our aim: We’re creating a warm and welcoming space for everyone doing great things with fibres and dyes - across the region and beyond - to meet, connect and support each other – and be part of revitalising regional natural textile economies.
Overview
A South West England Fibreshed networking event with lunch and farm tour at Fernhill Farm, Somerset on Thursday 12th February
Mutton Club - Woolly Weekend
A long-time ambition of ours, is the Mutton Club - an appreciation for all things Fernhill Farm, and a celebration of sheep and nomadic shepherding
We won’t make you eat mutton on every occasion and all dietary requests will be fully catered for, it’s just a simple evening of togetherness with a focus on true food, lovely conversations, some sort of entertainment in a warm safe space here on the Mendip Hills.
WOOLLY WEEKENDS - 6th - 8th February 2026
WOOLLY WEEKENDS - 6th - 8th February 2026
Understand the basics with harvesting, selecting, prepping and washing raw sheep fleece ready to use for a multitude of craft activities that include spinning, weaving, knitting, felting etc.
Blade Shearing Tournament and Fleece Sale- Autumn 2025
Join us at Fernhill Farm to watch skilled shearers take part in this bi-annual tournament to compete with the best and help raise the profile of the Benefits of Blade Shearing here in the UK.
Buy fleece fresh off the boards in the shearing shed, as well as finished products made from our wool in our pop-up Sheep Shop. Beautiful scarves, blankets, yarn, clothing and more in a range of natural and dyed colours.
Free entry to all – please do get in contact if you wish to get involved andy@fernhill-farm.co.uk
All proceeds are donated as prize money for winning shearers
Camping available to pre-book on our farm events website www.fernhill-farm.co.uk - we may also have beds available too - please ask thanks
WET Systems with Biologic Design @ Fernhill Farm
WET Systems with Biologic Design @ Fernhill Farm - harvesting, storing and using purified water in a regenerating landscape
Andy & Jen shall start the day with a brief introduction to the history of Fernhill Farm during a walk of their site, to understand the lay of the land when incorporating the needs for both livestock and event business enterprises
From 11am Jay & Clara Abrahams will discuss their Wet System designs, installed at Fernhill Farm in 2008 - a set of slides before the Taste of Somerset Farm Lunch, followed by an informative tour within the WET System
10am Arrival and Farm Walk
11am Introducing Jay & Clara Abrahams
1.00pm Taste of Somerset Lunch
2pm - Tour of the WET SYSTEM
4pm - Drinks & Departures
Biologic Design is an applied permaculture design consultancy.
We design, create and plant constructed wetlands, known as Wetland Ecosystem Treatment (WET) Systems.
We also design and implement Water Retentive Landscape designs, to enhance both drought resistance and flood resilience.
Biologic Design’s WET Systems are soil-based, multi-species constructed wetlands, designed to integrate the purification of a range of wastewater types with the production of varied biomass yields, such as willow wands for basket making or fuel, as well as fruit and nut trees, whilst also creating wildlife habitat for enhanced biodiversity.
Our work on whole site water reticulation plans is suitable for regenerative farms, and harvests the various water flows on the land to create water retentive landscapes.
All of the water flows available on the land or farm - rainwater, wastewater, springs, and watercourses - can all be directed so that, in applied permaculture design terms, the water resource can ‘do its duty’ to create an abundant and productive functional landscape.
This is a FREE event thanks to BART - Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Please use the Eventbrite link for the WET systems 8th July to secure your place:
Eleanor Sweet BSc (Hons)
Junior Farm Advisor
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
07942285094
Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture
Groundswell - Regenerative Agriculture Festival Groundswell
WET Systems with Biologic Design @ Fernhill Farm
WET Systems with Biologic Design @ Fernhill Farm - harvesting, storing and using purified water in a regenerating landscape
Andy & Jen shall start the day with a brief introduction to the history of Fernhill Farm during a walk of their site, to understand the lay of the land when incorporating the needs for both livestock and event business enterprises
From 11am Jay & Clara Abrahams will discuss their Wet System designs, installed at Fernhill Farm in 2008 - a set of slides before the Taste of Somerset Farm Lunch, followed by an informative tour within the WET System
10am Arrival and Farm Walk
11am Introducing Jay & Clara Abrahams
1.00pm Taste of Somerset Lunch @ £15pp
(please use this link to pre-book in advance thanks)
2pm - Tour of the WET SYSTEM
4pm - Drinks & Departures
Biologic Design is an applied permaculture design consultancy.
We design, create and plant constructed wetlands, known as Wetland Ecosystem Treatment (WET) Systems.
We also design and implement Water Retentive Landscape designs, to enhance both drought resistance and flood resilience.
Biologic Design’s WET Systems are soil-based, multi-species constructed wetlands, designed to integrate the purification of a range of wastewater types with the production of varied biomass yields, such as willow wands for basket making or fuel, as well as fruit and nut trees, whilst also creating wildlife habitat for enhanced biodiversity.
Our work on whole site water reticulation plans is suitable for regenerative farms, and harvests the various water flows on the land to create water retentive landscapes.
All of the water flows available on the land or farm - rainwater, wastewater, springs, and watercourses - can all be directed so that, in applied permaculture design terms, the water resource can ‘do its duty’ to create an abundant and productive functional landscape.
British Wool Machine Shearing Course
This is a TWO-DAY, BEGINNER Machine Shearing course, it is suitable for Beginners, Blue & Bronze Seals. Course times are 9:00-17:00 each day and will be Instructed by Andy Wear.
Course cost is £220 plus VAT = £264
WONDERWOOL WALES
Wonderwool Wales is the premier Wool & Natural Fibre Festival in Wales and is held annually on the last weekend in April at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys.
First held in 2006 to promote the market for Welsh wool and add value to product for small wool & fibre producers in Wales, the festival celebrates the green credentials of Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more. Wonderwool Wales has grown year on year. It covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process – from exhibits of sheep, through raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting & crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books to superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings.
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2025
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2025
Our Blade Shearing Tournament will enable you to compete with many of the top blade shearers in the Northern Hemisphere as they continue their master craft in the sheep shearing shed from 10am - 5pm Sunday 23rd March
SOMERSET YARNING - SPINNING A YARN
Spinning A Yarn - Somerset Yarning - Discover the story of wool in Somerset
Premiere at Fernhill Farm Saturday 22nd March at Fibre Experience event - our free Farm Open Day @ Fibre Experience
Fernhill Fibre Experience 22nd March 2025
Fibre Experience @ Fernhill Farm
Spring 2025 Farm Open Day - to identify, grow, harvest, process and utilise natural, native, regenerative, real, organic fibres, food and fuel
Regenerative Eco Farming with Jen Hunter
Talk: In conversation with Jen Hunter from Fernhill Farm
Discover the story of Fernhill Farm - from dilapidated ancient farmstead to regenerative eco farm
Floods, Farms and Food - How can we build resilience together?
Floods, Farms and Food - How can we build resilience together?
Blade Shearing Tournament - Autumn 2024
Blade Shearing Tournament - Autumn 2024
Our Blade Shearing Tournament will enable you to compete with many of the top blade shearers in the Northern Hemisphere as they continue their master craft in the sheep shearing shed from 10am - 5pm Sunday 22nd September
Fernhill Fibre Experience
Fibre Experience @ Fernhill Farm
Spring 2024 Farm Open Day - to identify, grow, harvest, process and utilise natural, native, regenerative, real, organic fibres, food and fuel
SPINNING A YARN
SPINNING A YARN
Discover the story of wool in Somerset through an exhibition and art installation
14TH SEPT - 30 NOV 2024 - Abbey Barn installations close 2 Nov
This Somerset Art Works project focuses on Wool, with an exhibition, large scale installation and film, opening in September 2024 at the Somerset Rural Life Museum Glastonbury, with project partners South West Heritage Trust.
A programme of events for community outreach, school workshops and talks will also take place.
Alongside the commissions there will be a rich display of museum objects, oral archives, a community artwork installation plus contemporary work created using wool by Somerset-based artists and makers. An exciting programme of talks, workshops and family activities offer opportunities for all ages to explore this fascinating material.
British Wool Machine Shearing course - Beginner
Wednesday 8th May 2024 - 2 days
Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, Bristol, BS40 6LD
16 years and over
5 spaces available
British Wool Blade Shearing course - Beginner
Saturday, 30 March '24 2 days
Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, Bristol, BS40 6LD
16 years and over
6 spaces available
GOOD FRIDAY FLEECE SALE
After harvesting our freshly BLADE shorn fleeces in March 2024, we will be delighted to offer you the opportunity to come to the Source of the Resource @ Fernhill Farm to browse our fleece collections on the 29th March from 10am - 4pm
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2024
Blade Shearing Tournament - Spring 2024
Our Blade Shearing Tournament will enable you to compete with many of the top blade shearers in the Northern Hemisphere as they continue their master craft in the sheep shearing shed from 10am - 5pm Sunday 17th March
Official After Party - The Skimmity Hitchers
Official After Party - The Skimmity Hitchers
We'll be playing the official evening 'after-party' in their recently refurbed Horseshoe Barns, with a whole host of international sheep shearers, farm folk and Somerset legends in attendance. We'd love you to come and join us for music, cider* and food at this very special, one-off event
Fernhill Fibre Experience
Fibre Experience @ Fernhill Farm
Spring 2024 Farm Open Day - to identify, grow, harvest, process and utilise natural, native, regenerative, real, organic fibres, food and fuel
Mutton Club - end of Winter Celebration
A long-time ambition of ours, is the Mutton Club - an appreciation for all things Fernhill Farm, and a celebration of sheep and nomadic shepherding
We won’t make you eat mutton on every occasion and all dietary requests will be fully catered for, it’s just a simple evening of togetherness with a focus on true food, lovely conversations, some sort of entertainment in a warm safe space here on the Mendip Hills.
Mutton Club - Winter Solstice
A long-time ambition of ours, is the Mutton Club - an appreciation for all things Fernhill Farm, and a celebration of sheep and nomadic shepherding
We won’t make you eat mutton on every occasion and all dietary requests will be fully catered for, it’s just a simple evening of togetherness with a focus on true food, lovely conversations, some sort of entertainment in a warm safe space here on the Mendip Hills.
An introduction to Shearing and Animal Husbandry with NSA @ FHF
Aimed at those with a basic or no experience of sheep shearing and other associated sheep husbandry skills. The day will give an introduction to blade and machine shearing with a hands-on approach, including learning when the best time is to shear sheep, the importance of preparing a handling area, catching and getting a sheep into the right position for shearing and well as the opportunity to have a go at shearing yourself under supervision and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions throughout the day.
FARM OPEN DAY - Blade Shearing Tournament & Fleece Sale – Autumn 2023
Please find yourself invited to join us at Fernhill Farm to watch the sheep being shorn in our lively shearing shed.
World Class Blade shearers will be taking part in this bi-annual tournament to compete with plenty of the best this industry has to offer and help raise the profile of the Benefits of Blade Shearing here in the UK.
Buy fleece fresh off the boards in the shearing shed, as well as finished products made from our wool in our pop-up Sheep Shop - beautiful scarves, blankets, yarn, clothing, bespoke sheepskins and more in a range of natural and dyed colours.
Throughout the day wool spinning and peg loom weaving workshops will be available from the Fernhill Fibre team, and we welcome all those who use natural resources to promote and create rural activities.
NEW - we are also welcoming visitors to create a spinning wheel sale / exchange area - we will take no commission or lead on this, its simply a way to share resources amongst the crowd as ancient tools should be celebrated as we recognise the importance of hand tools
On the food front:
The Fernhill Farm team will be here serving up delicious tasty meals, with an array of local ciders and ales and The Coffee.Box will park up and serve amazing cakes alongside their fantastic hot beverages.
Yeo Valley Ice-creams and Home Wood Sheep Cheeses complete the local feasts on offer - all within a few miles from our farm.
Fernhill Farm meat boxes will be available from the freezers on the day - please bring your own chiller box and stock up for the Autumn feast season - Produce Shop details HERE
Fred Bonestroo will be bringing his Organic Veg truck again - Fred is a Blade Shearer who is Farmer Freds Close Farm Tetbury and grows a truly excellent range of seasonal vegetables in organic ways
Demonstrations:
Sheep Dog* demonstrations will happen just outside the shearing shed - Mike Dowden is chairman of the Come Bye and Away Sheepdog Training and Trailing group near Glastonbury and will be showing training ideas with all levels of working sheep dogs, from pups to old collies (*Please leave your dogs at home thanks)
Delighted to welcome wood carving workshops again with Tim Graham - Tim is a green woodworker and carver based in Frome. Using a variety of tools he creates spoons, cups and bowls from trees that have been recently felled. His work reflects the timber from which it has been carved utilising natural curves and bends in the wood to add strength to the finished products.
Tim will be running 30 minute carving workshops at 11am, 1pm and 3pm where participants can carve their own knitting needles using wood collected from Fernhill Farm. Please sign up at his stall on the day. www.timclivegraham.bigcartel.com @timclivegraham
Land Logic Timber will be here with all things Timbers and sharp and dangerous tools again - thanks to Rupert we have built our sheds, glamping arcs and clad our Horseshoe Barns using our home grown and local timber supplies
On the regenerative educational theme, we have a full day of farm walks and talks:
10.30am - Arran Redman from ifA - Talking Soil - Arran is a Natural Resources Advisor working with i4Agri and is leading the project Exploring Livestock Emissions (ELE) Action Group Fernhill farm is participating in - soils samples have been taken and the details showcased here at our Farm Open Day - visiting pre-dug soil pits to show the effect holistic grazing has on soil systems, plant and root dynamics with nutrient exchange.
11.30am - Nature Recovery with the local Ranger Nathan Orr from the Mendip Hills AONB - see details below at 4pm
12.30 - regenerative sessions with Christopher and Sheila Cooke from 3LM - a 2-part informative introduction to studying Regenerative Farming principles -
12.30 - Part 1 is a 45 minute overview of Fernhill Farms EOV results, indoors looking at a slideshow with Jen interpreting field analysis data with practical explanations over the last 4 years on the Land to Market Platform with Savory Institute
1.15 - Part 2 is the 3LM Land Discovery Tour walking across the land looking at key indicator species etc - all outdoors for approximately 45 minutes
2.00pm - WET Systems with Jay Abrahams from Biologic Design Ltd - Wastewater is purified naturally at Fernhill Farm by a Wetland Ecosystem Treatment or WET System, based on permaculture design principles. Jay will shows his design slides in our Saloon classroom, followed by a tour of the WET system www.biologicdesign.co.uk
4.00pm - Nature Recovery with the local Ranger Nathan Orr from the Mendip Hills AONB
This information is approximate, times may vary on the day so please do check in again when your here for the latest updates and follow our event page from September 7th
Slideshows will be within the Saloon Classroom, next to farm café and toilets - meeting point is just outside the Saloon - within the Hay Shed, opposed to the Sheep Shearing Shed
Free entry to all – it's a perfect family day out (NO DOGS) and please do get in contact if you wish to get involved wool@fernhill-farm.co.uk
All proceeds are donated as prize money for talented shearers
See official event page on Facebook here for latest information: Blade Tournament Autumn Equinox 2023