The farms White Park cattle are reared outdoors all year. They spend their summer months on traditional grassland and are out-wintered in the woodlands. The farm grow and feed their own home-grown hay and silage, that is transported to the woods carefully to avoid compaction or damage to the soil. The cattle are allowed to grow and mature slowly as nature intended. Concentrates are never used.

The Wiltshire Horn flock of sheep are reared 100% on grass – grazing on traditional grassland and red clover mixes. This hardy native breed with good mothering instincts require minimal intervention.

Three lucky Gloucestershire Old Spots call Gatcombe park their home. They thrive all year round, living entirely free range in the Woodland. Each sow has two litters per year and breeds, births and rears their young as nature intended- outside in their own industriously built nests in the woodland.

The working farm is seen as an important part of the estates financial self sufficiency. It offers a unique model for a grass fed and organic system, alongside hosting international equestrian events. The farm manager hopes to offer their own farm produce at events, furthering support and awareness of grass fed organic farming and the unrivalled flavour that comes from native breeds.

The estate offers diverse habitats for wildlife, with permanent pasture, woodland and a lake with fresh water coming from natural springs. The farm manager is committed to further enhancing biodiversity through management of the livestock. He has already seen a change in the germination of flower species in the woodland since beginning to overwinter the White Park herd of cattle there.

• White Park cattle are a very old breed, believed to have been kept in Britain for more than 2000 years.  They are listed as at risk by the Rare Breed Survival Trust, although their numbers have increased from only 60 in 1973 to around 950 breeding cows today.
• The Wiltshire Horn is a native breed that naturally sheds its wool so no shearing is required, and until recently they were on the rare breeds list but are becoming popular again with regenerative farmers
• Highland Cows – This hardy breed out-winter and thrive on a more exposed part of the estate – adding diversity and resilience to the farm throughout the year.
• Gloucester Old Spot Pigs – a famous old breed, said to originate on the shores of the river Severn in Gloucester. Despite a huge increase in popularity amongst small holders, they are still considered a rare breed.

The farm is managed by organic farmer, Richard Strudwick, in close collaboration with members of the Royal Family living on the estate. All strive to ensure the farm is managed in an ecologically sound and productive way, whilst supporting native rare breeds.

The farm is Soil Association organic certified and is the process of becoming PFLA certified.

Richard is keen to ensure the farm is an inspiring example for others and demonstrates how low input farming can truly work in any context. With a truly unique farm to manage alongside equestrian pursuits, perhaps Gatcombe Park shows how truly diverse enterprises can also be amongst the most resilient.