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Horam Manor Farm
THE FARM
Horam Manor Farm is a cluster of traditional barns in a setting of unspoilt Sussex countryside. Once a site of the Wealden iron industry, the Farm offers a wide range of habitats, including open grassland, meadows, ancient woodlands, streams and Tudor hammer ponds.
NATURE TRAILS
We regret to say that, due to health and safety issues, there will be no access to the Horam Manor Farm woodlands and nature trails which are usually open around Easter, until further notice.
This is because of the presence in these woods of the disease known as Ash Die Back (Chalara Fraxinea), which causes the infected trees to drop branches at any time, which is dangerous for anyone in the vicinity. We are working on a programme of removing the infected trees, but in itself this can be a difficult and sometimes dangerous task and will take some time.
Please help protect the woodlands by staying out of the walks and woods beyond the gates with closed signs on and so not spreading this disease.
NATURE TRAILS: CLOSED
VISITOR INFO
Horam Manor Farm is in the village of Horam, on the A267 between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne. You can find us easily. Driving south to Horam on the A267, turn right at the signposted entrance to “Horam Manor Farm”. Follow the access road past the caravan site until you arrive at the Fishery car park between the small nursery pond and “House Pond”. Driving from Eastbourne, take the A267 at the Boship Farm Roundabout and follow the road (about five minutes). Look for the Horam Manor Farm signpost and entrance on the left as you enter Horam Village.
Ensuring that our farm remains safe and clean for people to enjoy does unfortunately come with quite a few costs. Your generosity goes towards keeping the farm and Nature Trails open. We therefore welcome all donations and very much appreciate anything you can afford to contribute.
DOG WALKERS
We welcome dog walkers on the farm and have some fantastic paths and views for you to enjoy.
Horam Manor Farm is private property anyone walking on it other than to visit one of the businesses or the Nature Trails needs to register by filling out this easy form below.
WILDLIFE ON THE FARM
An abundance of birdlife can be found on the Farm, From vibrant blue kingfishers darting across the fishing ponds, to amazingly well camouflaged woodcocks wintering in the orchard. Come and see what you can find on our Nature Trails.
In the seventeenth century the estate was owned by the Dyke family, who moved to Lullingstone Castle when one of the sons married the daughter of Sir Percival Hart. The Hart Dyke family continued to own Horeham Manor, as it was then called, until the manor house sadly burnt down after the Second World War. The site of the manor house was used by the Merrydown Wine Company from 1946 until 2005.
Horam Manor Farm was by then a separate estate. It was farmed by Lady Garbitt until the farm was taken over by the War Office in WW2, to grow much needed produce for the war effort.
In 1958 the farm was bought by Major Goulden at auction and has remained in the family ever since.
FARM HISTORY
In the 16th Century Horam Manor Farm was an important site of the Tudor Iron Industry. The open mining for iron ore, the furnaces and the hammer ponds which provided energy for them have shaped the local countryside.
The old sandstone farmhouse is thought to have been originally connected to the Sussex Iron Industry. Carvings on the window lintel of the original stone building suggest it was used as an office for the industry as early as 1560.
The farmhouse formed part of the Horam Manor Estate and can be seen clearly in the 18th century print below, now in the British Museum.
HOW TO FIND US...
