Dunsdon Farm
The site of Dunsdon Farm has a long and fascinating history, going back at least as far as the Domesday book. The layout of the farmyard dates from medieval times and is typical of a traditional Devon barton, or large farm. Hoppers Barn itself was originally the shippon, used to house cattle. The upper floor still has part of its roundhouse – now the porch – where horses or donkeys would have been harnessed to drive farm machinery for threshing wheat and milling apples for cider.
Today, Dunsdon Farm is managed for conservation of the culm grassland, which was once common in the west of England and Wales but has all but disappeared. It sits between the two halves of Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, which was part of the farm until 2000, when it was sold by the Hopper family, who had farmed here since 1927, to Devon Wildlife Trust. The Hoppers’ gentle and traditional farming methods were regarded as out of date at a time when agriculture was becoming industrialised. But thanks to them, rare habitats were preserved and Dunsdon eventually became a site of special scientific interest. Our holiday barn is named in their honour.
As our guests, you’ll have private access to around 15 acres of meadows and woodland, including our pond area and picnic tables. Well-behaved dogs are welcome – we ask owners to keep them on a lead in the meadows to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds. During the spring and summer months there may be cattle grazing, as part of the culm grassland conservation programme, and you’ll also see an amazing range of wildflowers – including rare orchids – birds, bats and butterflies. Throughout the year, whatever the weather, Dunsdon continues to be a haven for wildlife.
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