Adam Henson, the well-known BBC Countryfile presenter, recently offered a candid look into the demands of juggling a busy TV schedule with running his own farm. Since 1998, Adam has managed Bemborough Farm in Gloucestershire, which also houses the popular Cotswolds Farm Park attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Recently, Adam took time away from the farm to film Countryfile’s festive special in Cornwall. He enjoyed experiences such as making traditional pasties and visiting a local pub filled with sea shanty singers. However, being away meant missing crucial farm responsibilities.
Speaking on the FarmED podcast in December, Adam reflected on the challenge: “I was away shooting the Christmas special and got back late at night. The next day we had a board meeting to discuss future plans for the Farm Park, and I wasn’t fully prepared. I’m tired, and my mind was still in Cornwall.”
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Adam credits his ability to manage these pressures to partnering with people whose expertise complements his own. His business partner, Duncan Andrews, excels in numbers, spreadsheets, and strategic planning, while their appointed chief executive handles daily farm operations.
Adam explained, “Although I’m sometimes away, I trust the team we’ve built to keep everything running smoothly.”
Bemborough Farm, inherited from Adam’s father Joe in 1998, grows crops like wheat, spring barley, and oilseed rape and maintains a flock of around 350 ewes.
Looking ahead, Adam revealed that once his tenancy ends in 12 years, he and his wife Charlie plan to move into a bungalow nearby. With their children choosing different paths, the couple will maintain a smaller scale of farming, keeping a few sheep and dogs, and enjoying the countryside lifestyle.
Adam’s broadcasting career began in 2001 when he was selected to join Countryfile following a nationwide search. Over the years, he has fronted various countryside programmes such as Inside Out and Nigel and Adam’s Farm Kitchen.
He returns to BBC One tonight (February 1) at 6pm with a new Countryfile episode featuring his preparations for the arrival of the Exmoor ponies, foals, and donkeys on his farm.