Adam Henson, beloved presenter of BBC’s Countryfile, has candidly shared the tough reality currently facing the farming side of his business. The 59-year-old, who took over the tenancy of Cotswold Farm Park from his father Joe in 1999, admitted that despite the farm’s public appeal, turning a profit through farming alone is increasingly difficult.
Joe Henson broke new ground when he opened Cotswold Farm Park to the public in 1971, the first farm of its kind to do so. Today, while the visitor side of the business helps sustain the farm financially, Adam revealed during an interview on BBC’s Farmwatch just how challenging farming has become.
“It’s very difficult in arable farming at the moment,” Adam explained. “In 2025, from straight arable farming, we won’t make money. The spring has been horrible, the crops are not going to yield well, and the prices for the grain we can sell are low. The margins don’t look positive at all.”
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Despite the difficulties, Adam’s passion for farming remains strong. He has been a Countryfile presenter since 2001 and balances his media career with running the farm alongside his wife Charlie and their two children, Alfie and Ella. Adam even expressed a willingness to prioritize farming again full-time if needed, saying, “I’d be happy to go back to being a proper farmer if my face doesn’t fit one day.”
Describing the joys of farm life, he shared, “I wake up, walk the dogs, and enjoy the beautiful countryside. There’s something special about raising crops and livestock, while also caring for conservation and wildlife. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Growing up on the farm with his three older sisters, Adam’s connection to agriculture runs deep. Yet his role in the media sometimes takes him away from the day-to-day life he loves. “The telly world has taken me slightly away from that, which is a pleasure, but farming is still my heart.”
Adam also recently commented on the influx of celebrities to the Cotswolds, humorously noting the paradox of stars seeking privacy while making headlines. Writing in Cotswold Life Magazine, he observed, “The gossip columns are fascinated by the film stars and fashionistas who come to the Cotswolds to escape the spotlight (but somehow manage to be front page news, nonetheless).”
Fans can catch Adam on Countryfile this Sunday at 7.15pm on BBC One.