As regular readers of this column know, each week I am featuring a different Reason to Visit the Moorlands and this week, I am highlighting the fabulous Sprinks Farm.
The current owners took over the farm in 2017 and wanted to maintain a link with local history, while building a sustainable and diverse ecology. They immediately started a programme of investment and renovation modernising the farm buildings while using local materials and traditional methods.
Sprinks Farm spans an incredible 88 acres which is the size of more than 1,400 tennis courts with beautiful pastures and woodlands largely dedicated to deer that roam free within the park.
There are two herds of deer, red and fallow, which produce venison for sale along with organic and rare breed produce sold in their farm shop in Ipstones.
Sprinks Farm offers a range of exciting experiences to guests including deer walks with guided tours of the deer park where you can learn about the magnificent species and wildlife they have. The tour gives you opportunities to get photographs of deer in their natural environment and, perhaps, to get up close to some of the big reds.
They also hold Farm open days and events with different themes throughout the year – I was pleased to go along to one of these and see just what a fabulous place it is.
Other activities include beach volleyball from introductory courses all the way through to serious competitions with some of the best players in the UK. Schools and Youth clubs have free access to the facilities and, from 2024, they will also provide Farm visit opportunities for schools.
I will be posting about Sprinks Farm all this week so do keep an eye on my Facebook and please do share your photos on my Year of Reasons twitter @VisitMoorlands.
