Countryfile presenter and farmer Adam Henson has revealed the bittersweet reality of leaving his family’s farm in the Cotswolds once their tenancy expires. Managing the 650-hectare Cotswolds Farm Park, a cherished legacy established by his father Joe in 1971, Adam shared candid thoughts about this significant transition.
In a recent interview with the Daily Express, Adam reflected on his father’s pioneering vision to invite the public onto their farm to engage with rural life—bottle-feeding lambs and holding chicks—a tradition that sparked his own passion for farming from a young age. However, Adam’s children have chosen different paths; his daughter is an events organiser based in Perth, while his son works as a financial advisor in Leeds. Though both are capable of farm skills like lambing and driving tractors, their interests lie elsewhere.
With the farm tenancy ending in 12 years, Adam and his wife Charlie plan to relocate to a nearby bungalow in Winchcombe, where they will maintain a smaller scale of farming, keeping a few sheep and their dogs. Adam described the move as “the end of an era,” but one that will allow him to continue enjoying the beautiful countryside.
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Beyond farming, Adam has navigated personal challenges with resilience. In conversations with Reach PLC, he spoke openly about his wife’s battle with cancer, the loss of his parents and nephew, and the hurdles faced in business. He credits his upbeat nature and a strong support system—including his wife, children, trusted business partner, and dedicated farm team—for maintaining his positive mental health through tough times such as the foot and mouth outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adam’s story underscores both the evolving nature of family farms and the enduring connection to the land he cherishes, even as the next generation pursues new dreams.