Wiltshire self catering cabin, sleeps 6
If you like the idea of green tourism then you will like Poulton Lodge. It lies at the heart of our working family farm and was built using wood from sustainable sources. It uses water from our own aquifer lying deep beneath the farm, which tastes very pure. James found this water source as his grandfather did, by dowsing. We are currently putting in solar energy cells to create a more renewable energy source on the farm.
The Lodge is spacious, light and airy and sleeps 5 comfortably. It is well equipped and furnished to a high standard. A generous welcome pack which includes a local beer, homemade cake and fresh farm eggs, is complimentary. There is a large lawned garden for guests enjoyment and meals al fresco, and a game of boules or croquet to be had. If you would like to learn about farming whilst here then talk to us and we will be happy to show you around and maybe teach you a new skill such as lambing or riding on the combine!
Out and about there are many things to enjoy - our ancient woodland has spectacular bluebells in April-May and historic Savernake Forest across the valley has miles of woodland walks. We are close by to the Ridgeway and that makes this an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful Wiltshire downland - or even the Kennet and Avon Canal close by. If you have horses we can accommodate them on site in a large, airy barn. The bridleways from here link to many miles of riding.
The historic market town of Marlborough is only 2 miles away and has markets twice a week. There is an abundance of excellent eateries and bistros to be enjoyed and many areas of interest - art courses at Rabley Barn, Marlborough College Summer School, microlight flights, crop circles and seminars, White Horses, Avebury Stone Circle, Marlborough Jazz Festival, horse trials at Barbary Castle, walking and biking... Marlborough is humming! Yet the Lodge has peace and tranquillity in abundance, situated in a superb location with fantastic views and big skies with glorious sunsets.
Rooms, food and facilities
Sleeps 5 +1 comfortably.
- 2 x twin/double rooms
- 1 x single + cot
- Kitchen & lounge - open plan downstairs
- Upstairs lounge and balcony
- 2 bathrooms - 1 of which is ensuite
DTV plus DVD, Video and CD
Microwave, hob, double oven, dishwasher, washing machine, clothes airer, ironing board & iron, garden furniture, swings, child’s summer house, large lawn, boules, croquet. Shed for bikes to be kept. As we are a livestock farm we do not accepts pets.
How to find us
From the A4 in Marlborough take the A346 signed to the M4. Ascend the hill passing through The Green and when you reach the traffic lights turn right signed to Ramsbury, Axford and Mildenhall. Pass Tin Pit on the left, pass some white gates and railings on the left then turn left signed to Rabley and Poulton. Do not take the first left. Go under the railway bridge and then turn immediately left into our drive.
Sat nav will bring you to the railway bridge but not up the one mile drive. Watch out for deer and other cars on the drive too!
Marlborough is 15 minutes south of the M4 junction 15 and approaching Marlborough you would descend the hill to The Green and turn left before the traffic lights towards Ramsbury, Axford and Mildenhall. Pass Tin Pit on the left, pass some white gates and railings on the left then turn left signed to Rabley and Poulton. Do not take the first left. Go under the railway bridge and then turn immediately left into our drive. Sat nav will bring you to the railway bridge but not up the one mile drive.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The Sheppard family have improved the natural environment at Poulton Farm Estate over the last 16 years by: Planting over 6km of hedgerows, adding in stewardship strips of 6m around most field margins, farmed in an extensive and traditional manner to encourage greater soil fertility and bio-diversity. We have put up owl boxes and seen several barn owls hatching young. The grassland put in for the sheep has encouraged the lapwings back - over 100 in a flock last year. The shoot has encouraged control of predators so more ground nesting birds are surviving - skylarks and yellow hammers in particular. We even saw a stoat and a hedge hog this year!
We recycle everything possible, including scrap food to the chickens! Guests are encouraged to separate their waste into recyclables and non recyclables by using separate rubbish boxes. We then dispose of this to the local recycling centre in Marlborough.
We use our own water from the underlying chalk aquifer on the farm and have onsite bio digesters which filters all the waste water which then runs off into the ground and gets back into the aquifer eventually - so a huge recycling of the water goes on here. We also use Hippos where possible and rain showers rather than power showers to conserve water useage.
We have gradually put in all low energy bulbs and are now in the process of putting in photovoltaic cells on the roof to generate some renewable electricity.
Poulton Lodge is constructed from wood from a sustainable source and was built using local craftsmen - plus James and his Dad. It is extremely well insulated and made to last 100 years. It has settled into the landscape and the barn owls use it as a roost and look out post at night and we also have about 8 swallows’ nests each year. The guests love to watch the birds from inside.
Community
When we built the Lodge we used local craftsmen to do it. We have also used our neighbour to make all the blinds for the Lodge. In high season we also use a local lady to help clean and iron for the guests. The information folder gives recommendations for all the local pubs and restaurants and local attractions to help sustain the local economy and keep the tourist pound in the local pocket.
Campaigning for the local community. James stood for local district councillor as an Independent at the last local elections, as he was keen to try to address local issues facing those who live and work in the countryside. Sorry to say he was not elected. He is also Vice chairman of Marlborough NFU and regularly attends meetings and seminars to do with the local environment.
We support the charity Cystic Fibrosis Research and also Aldbourne Brass Band. There are local people with CF and local people who play in the Band. We support both charities by giving away stays at the Lodge and offering experiences such as 'Lambing Live' and 'Ride on the combine with farmhouse tea'. This year we have raised over £3,000 for these charities.
We encourage all our visitors to experience the local ancient sites and to do so with guides and local people. For example- the Dowsing experience at Avebury stone circle with Maria Wheatley, and visiting the Crop Circles with Oliver Morrell and Gary King.
Landscape
We often have visitors who want to experience life on the farm and have had guests specifically come to learn how to lamb and how to calve. These have been very rewarding - and the guests come back time and again. We have to be careful that there are no pregnant ladies in attendance as sheep can carry toxoplasmosis which is bad for unborn babies. We have had a journalist stay from Woking Gazette to experience and write about a weekend on the farm which helped spread a greater understanding of this. We are mentioned for the experiences on trip advisor with very positive feedback. We also try to get out and about ourselves so that we can inform guests from a better view point. Last year the family went to Marlborough College Summer School with some guests that was brilliant fun. We will do it again!
