View of Rew Farm and Farmhouse looking north |
The Farm |
|
Rew Farm is a 170 acre grassland farm, nestling in the peaceful Rew Valley on the outskirts of Ventnor. It is extensively grazed by Highland Cattle which come right up to the garden wall. It is situated within the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. |
The Highland Cattle are part of the Mottistone Fold which is centered on the adjoining Wroxall Manor Farm. The cattle are bred for beef and pedigree sales. Highland beef is of exceptional quality, being high in protein but low in cholesterol.
|
|
|
The cattle are able to range widely, closer to the natural way than intensive farms. Their health and their eventual beef quality benefits accordingly.
|
Rew Copse, on the side of the steep escarpment which shelters the farm from the prevailing winds, is classified as Ancient Woodland. In the spring it is ablaze with bluebells and wild garlic flowers, - truly a sight to behold. |
|
Wight Conservation is the farm’s operating name. It is part of the leading privately owned conservation estate on the Island. Together with good farming practice, conservation is one of our twin priorities. All decisions take into account what is best for wildlife.
Prior to its purchase in January 2006, this farm was managed as an intensive dairy farm. By extensive grazing and the non application of fertilizers, we are attempting to take the nutrients out of the soil and “un-improve” the grass. The wild flora and the invertebrates will greatly benefit, having a knock on effect for the bird population.
For more information please visit our website www.wightconservation.co.uk
 
Photos by courtesy of Daphne Watson
Our priority is to improve the birdlife. Most fields are bordered by old but partly derelict hedges. We are bringing these back into good hedge management so that in time their bottoms will thicken out, and the whole hedge will become denser, offering an improved habitat for farmland birds.
Plans are being drawn up for the 30-acre Rew Copse which has had no management for many decades. Derelict hazel will be coppiced, and the wood will be thinned to allow more light onto the forest floor, and the veteran trees will be sky-lighted to give them more space in which to thrive.
We have entered the Forest Enterprise sponsored Jig-Saw project, involving planting new woodland on agricultural land and joining up fragmented woods and enlarging the communication corridors for the Red Squirrel and Dormouse. The projects will be long, slow and expensive in coming to fruition. On the other hand, the wildlife gain will be immense and long lasting. |
|
There is a good public footpath across the farm from which excellent views of the farm can be seen. The paths lead on to good open downland which offer superb panoramic views of the Island. |
