by Tom | May 16, 2025 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Isn’t it absolutely beautiful at the moment? Hedgerows bursting with blossom, fields a vibrant green, and birdsong ringing out from dawn ‘til dusk. I’ve been deep in dad mode these past few weeks. “You know, kids, you can travel the world and still crave this scene —...
by Tom | Apr 17, 2025 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
A Bit About Our Cows A few requests came back from my appeal for blog ideas the other week with the theme of how the business works behind the scenes. There’s always so much going on and I will endeavour to share it all through my musings! However, much of my...
by Tom | Apr 10, 2025 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
This question was posed to me in response to my last blog when I asked you all for some food for thought on what to write about next. By the way, I had some great replies—lots of ammo for future editions. But this one really struck a chord. It wasn’t a blunt question...
by Tom | Feb 19, 2025 | Recipes, Farm Journal
As many of you may have gathered from my last journal, I felt it was time for a little break. So, last week, Tamara and I headed down to the south Dorset coast for a couple of days—the first time we’d had a trip sans enfants in a few years! We stayed at a beautiful...
by Tom | Jan 28, 2025 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Oh, what a week it’s been. At this rate, it feels like we’ll reach Storm Zachary by the end of February. Our originally planned closure has been delayed, unfortunately, so we’re open as normal this week. A little rant, if I may… Some background to why we were planning...
by Tom | Dec 1, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Last week my son, Henry, said to me that the saddest part of the year for him is around 8 pm on Christmas Day. I remember that feeling so well—the moment when all the anticipation, excitement, and merriment seem to settle into the past. You realise that it wasn’t just...
by Tom | Jan 14, 2025 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Have you noticed the manic frenzy of wildlife recently? Birds whistling through the night, trying to find the best nesting spots for spring. Foxes barking all day long and into the darkness, seeking the plumpest earthworms to keep their protein levels up. Me neither....
by Tom | Oct 17, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Last month, our local parish magazine, The Winsley Weaver, celebrated its 50th anniversary. My father, Richard, was invited to reflect on the changes in the village over the past half-century. For those who missed it, I’m sharing his piece in this week’s journal. So,...
by Tom | Sep 18, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
One of the most common things people say to me when we’re chatting about the business is, “You guys always seem to be trying something new. Where do you get all your ideas?” The truth is, I’m a bit of a fraud. Nearly all of the ideas don’t come from...
by Tom | Oct 3, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Did you know it’s World Mental Health Day next week? I didn’t either! But I’ve been wanting to write about the power I’ve found in nature to help keep my own mental health in check, so the timing feels perfect. These are just my thoughts and musings that I have slowly...
by Tom | Sep 4, 2024 | Recipes, Farm Journal, Uncategorized
That familiar back-to-school feeling is here; we all know how busy school nights can get. Cooking can feel like a chore between after-school activities, homework, and managing the rest of the day’s to-dos. That’s why I thought I’d share three go-to recipes in...
by Tom | Aug 7, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Last weekend, we finally managed to get out and do one of our favourite walks through the Limpley Stoke Valley near Bath, punctuated by a couple of essential pit-stops at The Cross-Guns at Avoncliffe and The Freshford Inn, of course. There’s simply nowhere...
by Tom | Jul 24, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Our beloved parish magazine, The Winsley Weaver, is celebrating its 50th year of circulation this year. They have asked my father, Richard, to contribute an article on the changes to our farming landscape over these years. This request reminded me of a similar article...
by Tom | Jun 25, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Walking my mad spaniel, Bonnie, across the farm every day lets me notice how the year passes by on an almost micro, daily level. Right now, our walks are punctuated with impromptu cool-offs in the cattle troughs, but soon enough, autumn will set in, and a cool dip...
by Tom | May 9, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
The summer season is well and truly underway now at Hartley. Alfresco dining outside The Barn and ice creams outside the cabin are a daily occurrence now. We are so lucky to be surrounded by the most beautiful countryside and a brief pitstop at Hartley before an...
by Tom | Mar 1, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
As we waved goodbye to the chill of January and February, our team has been deep in the throes of planning for the exciting year ahead. With spring peeking around the corner, we’re thrilled to start bringing our visions to life. The feedback from our community...
by Tom | Feb 10, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
A love letter from our cows to your heart this Valentine’s Day. Welcome to our February journal! This month’s article has been kindly written for us by the lovely Jess Oldfield. If you’re a farm shop regular, you will have met Jess in the farm shop...
by Tom | Jan 3, 2024 | Farm Journal, Uncategorized
Happy New Year, to all our wonderful customers! As we step into a brand-new year, it’s a time filled with endless possibilities and opportunities to embrace healthier habits. And what better way to start this journey than with the fresh, hearty ingredients that...
by Tom | Oct 16, 2023 | Farm Journal
There’s no denying it, the most wonderful time of year is almost here! So, we thought we’d put together a little post with all the good-to-know tips and advice for ordering with us this Christmas. We have a Christmas catalogue bursting with delicious festive...
by Tom | Oct 24, 2023 | Farm Journal
As we venture into November, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air at Hartley Farm as we gear up for the festive season. Christmas orders are in full swing, and we’re passionately curating a selection of our farm shop favourites to add a touch of...
by Tom | Sep 5, 2023 | Farm Journal
As the calendar turns to September, there’s a collective sigh of relief echoing through the air – we’ve once again navigated the ebbs and flows of summer holidays. Despite the few sunny September days at the start of the month, we haven’t quite had...
by Tom | Jul 24, 2023 | Farm Journal
This month see us celebrate our 15th birthday! On a sunny Wednesday the 20th of August 2008, Hartley Farm opened the doors to the farm shop. A few second-hand fridges selling local meat, fruit and veg, a few freshly painted Ikea shelves with a few jars on and a...
by Tom | Jul 3, 2023 | Farm Journal
Here at Hartley, we love keeping things simple. Whether that be our supply chain, sourcing direct from local farmers and growers, or in the kitchen where we just let the ingredients do the talking. We also love to embrace the outdoors, and nothing combines all these...
by Tom | Mar 15, 2023 | Farm Journal
Last week we were extremely proud to be crowned the Best Farm Restaurant in the U.K at the Farm Retail Association Awards. We were nominated alongside some hugely inspiring and well-known businesses and are just very grateful to be finalists, so winning was a huge... 
