Adam Henson, the beloved presenter of BBC’s Countryfile and a dedicated farmer at Bemborough Farm in Gloucestershire, has shared an honest account of the challenges he faces balancing his dual roles. Since taking over the family farm alongside business partner Duncan Andrews in 1998, Adam has managed a thriving agricultural operation while maintaining a busy television career.
Recently, Adam spent time away from his farm to film the Countryfile Christmas special in Cornwall. The festive episode featured authentic pasty-making and visits to lively local pubs filled with sea shanty singers. While the experience was enjoyable, it meant leaving his Gloucestershire base, which also houses the popular Cotswolds Farm Park, a major tourist attraction drawing thousands each year.
Speaking on the FarmED podcast in December, Adam candidly admitted the strain of managing responsibilities away from the farm. “I drove to Cornwall to film the Christmas special, got back late at night, and the next day we had a board meeting about strategies for the Farm Park next year. I wasn’t fully prepared—I was tired, with my mind still in Cornwall,” he said.
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To handle the pressures, Adam relies heavily on his supportive team. He praises Duncan Andrews as “fantastic at numbers, spreadsheets, and strategy,” and acknowledges the vital role of their chief executive, who manages day-to-day operations. “I understand accounts, but I wouldn’t want to put them together myself. Even when I’m away, I trust the people I’ve put in place to run the business,” he explained.
Bemborough Farm carries on a rich agricultural tradition, cultivating wheat, spring barley, and oilseed rape, along with a commercial flock of around 350 ewes. Despite this, Adam has openly revealed that when his farm tenancy ends in 12 years, he and his wife Charlie plan to move to a nearby bungalow in Winchcombe. Their children do not intend to take up farming, signaling the close of an era. “We’ll keep a few sheep and the dogs, and I’ll still be able to enjoy the wonderful countryside,” he shared.
Adam’s television career began in 2001 after successfully winning the Countryfile presenting role following a nationwide search. Over the years, he has fronted several programs focusing on rural life, including Inside Out and Nigel and Adam’s Farm Kitchen. On February 1st, viewers can catch Adam back on BBC One at 6pm, preparing his Exmoor ponies, foals, and donkeys for the months ahead.