Countryfile presenter Adam Henson recently made a remarkable discovery on his Gloucestershire farm—an ancient Roman coin that he describes as “most precious.”
Adam, 59, has managed Bemborough Farm near Guiting Power since inheriting it from his father Joe in 1998. The farm also operates as the popular Cotswolds Park Farm, attracting thousands of visitors annually. Alongside his business partner Duncan Andrews, Adam cultivates wheat, spring barley, and oilseed rape. The farm is also home to a flock of 350 commercial ewes and various rare livestock breeds.
In a recent piece for BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam shared how he stumbled upon the Roman coin while working outside. He explained, “I found a Roman coin right outside my back door. I’d just come in from the fields and this little remnant of long ago had obviously become stuck to the bottom of my wellies. In legal terms it’s not treasure, but it’s incredibly precious to me.”
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This find highlights Gloucestershire’s deep roots in Roman history. Adam points out the enduring local saying, “Scratch Gloucestershire and find Rome.” Gloucester was once known as Glevum, and nearby Cirencester was called Corinium during Roman times. The area is renowned for remarkable archaeological finds such as the Orpheus mosaic discovered in a Stroud churchyard—the second-largest Roman mosaic in Britain, dating back to approximately AD 325.
Beyond artifacts beneath the soil, Adam notes the Roman legacy in Gloucestershire’s agriculture. The Cotswold sheep, famous for their lustrous fleece, were introduced by Roman settlers and remain integral to the region’s farming heritage.
Adam is set to appear on ITV One’s Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen this morning at 11:25 am, where he will showcase the rare sheep breeds he raises. Later, he returns to Countryfile at 7 pm on BBC One, visiting dairy farmers in Wrexham, Wales, who are innovating by growing their own cattle feed instead of relying on imported soya.
Countryfile also features Vick Hope’s interview with Prince William on mental health in farming communities, alongside Charlotte Smith and Matt Baker discussing rewilding efforts in Shropshire.
Having become a mainstay of Countryfile since 2001 after a nationwide presenter search, Adam has also appeared on shows like Countryfile Summer Diaries and Inside Out. Off-screen, he hosts events such as BBC’s Gardener’s World Live, has authored six books, and recorded an exclusive audiobook, demonstrating his passion for farming and broadcasting.