Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has brought a breath of fresh air from his Cotswold Farm Park following what he describes as a challenging period for the farming community.
At 60 years old, Henson remains a recognizable face on the BBC’s rural affairs programme. He recently revealed that the arrival of spring lambs has given a much-needed boost to his family-run farm business. Reflecting on the seasonal excitement, he said, “We open the Cotswold Farm Park in mid-February because that’s when we welcome the first new arrivals of the year.”
The farm park, set on the sprawling 650-hectare Bemborough Farm in Gloucestershire, is a hit with visitors, especially families who enjoy the live lambing demonstrations – making it a perfect Easter destination. Adam explained, “The birth of new life, both lambs and goat kids, continues to captivate visitors throughout the Easter holidays in the Animal Barn.”
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Guests can explore over 50 rare breed flocks and herds, sample local fare at the Ox Shed café, and engage in hands-on experiences with the animals at the farm.
Adam also expressed his gratitude for the early Easter this year, a welcome boost amidst the ongoing hardships faced by the hospitality sector since the pandemic struck. Open about the financial strain, he acknowledged, “We won’t make money from the farming side right now.”
Taking over tenancy of Cotswold Farm Park in 1999 from his father, Joe Henson – who pioneered farm tourism in the UK in 1971 – Adam is well aware that tourism sustains the business. However, arable farming remains a tough challenge, especially following last year’s difficult spring that severely impacted crop yields.
Speaking to BBC’s Farmwatch, Adam detailed, “It’s very difficult in arable farming at the moment. By 2025, straight arable farming is unlikely to be profitable. Last spring was awful; yields are low and grain prices are down, which squeezes margins.”
Despite these difficulties, Adam remains deeply committed to environmental stewardship. He has been a long-time advocate for wildlife-friendly farming practices, which he believes are crucial to reversing the decline of farmland bird populations.
He noted with a chuckle, “In nature programmes, the dawn chorus is usually garden birds like robins and blue tits. But farmland birds also play a starring role – species I’ve been championing for years.”
Highlighting the alarming statistics since the 1970s, Adam said, “We’ve lost over 70 million wild birds in the British Isles and farmland birds have declined by more than 60 percent.”
Thanks to conservation efforts on his north Cotswold farm, species like lapwing, redwing, fieldfare, golden plover, yellowhammer, corn bunting, and skylark are now regularly seen and heard - promising indicators of a biodiverse and healthy environment.