Court Gardens Farm is known to have existed as a farm since Saxon Times. Originally known as the Manor of Ditchling Garden it was given by William de Warren ( William the Conqueror's son in law) to the newly established Priory at Lewes. After Henry the 8th dissolved the monasteries Lewes Priory and all its lands were given to Anne of Cleeves and on her death the land reverted to the Crown. Queen Elizabeth the 1st gave the land to Viscount Gage. The Gage family did not retain the land for very long before selling it on. The short period the land was Crown property was enough to change the name to Court Gardens Farm.

In 1998 the farm was entered into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Under the scheme some arable fields have reverted to traditional grassland and others have a 6m grassland margin. Many of the hedges had become leggy and overgrown, over a period of 8 years we have been coppicing and planting up gaps in hedgerows and in some cases laying the hedges to bring them back to useful condition. Hedges with plenty of bottom are the most beneficial for small mammals and invertebrates. Even after a couple of years the improvements are noticeable, larger numbers of little owls and kestrels are found hunting along the hedge rows. Grass snakes are seen more frequently.

Water features always attract wildlife. We have been able to clean out and improve six old farm ponds . The larger pond has a growing number of fish which attract the attentions of a pair of herons. Mallard and moorhen nest on the island. In the winter months snipe will always be found in the wetter parts.

The start of the sheep year is Autumn when the shepherd checks through his flock to ensure the ewes are ready and fit to meet the ram. This is the time when feet are trimmed and udders are checked. Excess ewes are sold and replacements bought. This is the time of year for sheep fairs and auctions and historically movements of sheep about the country. The production of breeding sheep has traditionally focussed on the harsh conditions of the North of England. Many lowland sheep were either born in the North of England or at least their mothers were. Our flock is no exception the nucleus being North of England Mules, which are in fact the most common sheep in the country. The mule, itself a crossbred, is hardy, a brilliant mother, and very intelligent. Our mules came to us as lambs from Yorkshire, spend their first winter growing and learning the language, before being introduced in their second autumn to Texel Rams. The best of their daughters are retained for breeding and form the larger part of our breeding flock known as Texel - Cross. The shepherd will also have spent some time checking through his rams and if necessary bought in new rams in time for tupping, The traditional date for introducing the rams to the ewes is November the 5th, following that the first lambs will be born on April the 1st.

Once the rams come out of the flock, the ewes move to Wellcombe Bottom in Hustpierpoint just under Wolstonbury Hill, not only do they enjoy the magnificent views north up to the Hogs Back and round to the North Downs, but they appreciate the herb rich chalk grassland.   Their hardy parents and their knowledge of where to get out of the wind ensure they can thrive on the hill. About a month before lambing the ewes are brought back to Court Gardens Farm and into the lambing shed to be cosseted with hay and home mixed cereal ration. With extra help at lambing time the ewes can be watched and assisted if necessary. As soon as the ewe has settled down with her lambs she will move across to a mothering up pen with other ewes and lambs. After two weeks inside with her lambs she will be allowed back out onto grass, where if the weather is kind the grass will grow and she can feed her lambs.

Lambs will stay with their mothers until weaning time in July, by which time the lambs will look almost as big as their mothers and two lambs feeding will lift their poor mother clean off her back legs. After they have been separated the ewes have a well deserved rest of a couple of months before the cycle starts again when they once again meet the rams.

A little bit of History

For a view of the 1935 Ploughing match on the farm take the link  'Farm in 1935'

A little more History

A great deal of local history is available at the Ditchling Museum