Farming

Comphurst Farm comprises over 250 acres of rolling fields and woodland, on sandy free-draining soil.

Started in the 50s by Peter Reid, the farm has evolved over the years.  In the 50s and 60s, the farm was home to the Beaconhurst herd of Dairy Shorthorn cattle. The 70s and 80s, bolstered by the EEC's Common Agricultural Policy, saw arable and beef production. In the 90s arable production dominated with wheat, barley, oilseed rape and beans. A pedigree herd of Sussex Cattle was started in 2008 in order to return to a more balanced, sustainable method of farming. 

We are now concentrating on providing equestrian facilities, although some land still remains in arable production. Although we no longer breed cattle, cattle graze some of the land in the summer and sheep graze the Cross Country course in the winter. They do a wonderful, natural job of encouraging the roots of the grass to tiller out, providing even thicker grass coverage. The equestrian-use fields are largely sown with grass that has been specially mixed to provide excellent conditioning for horses to jump, land and gallop on.