Maple Farm in Ropley will throw open its gates for the first time on June 7, inviting the public to step into a working sheep farm as part of Open Farm Sunday’s landmark 20th anniversary.
The event, running from 11am to 3pm at the farm on Gilbert Street, marks the first public open day hosted by The Wessex Flock, a long-standing sheep-breeding operation. Organisers have transformed the farm into an interactive classroom, offering guided farm trails, hands-on wool workshops, and direct encounters with the flock and their spring-born lambs.
Key Points
- ✅ First-ever public open day at Maple Farm, Ropley
- ⚡ Meet 6,200 sheep and 200 lambs in a rare behind-the-scenes experience
- 💡 Hands-on wool-making workshops from fleece to finished yarn
Liz Rough, a director of The Wessex Flock, said the event was designed to bridge the gap between urban life and rural agriculture. “We’re inviting families to see where their wool comes from and how we care for our animals year-round,” she said. “This isn’t just a day out—it’s a chance to reconnect with the countryside.”
| Activity | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Farm trail with guided commentary | 11:00–15:00 | Main courtyard |
| Wool-spinning workshop | 11:30–13:30 | Wool shed |
| Lamb feeding session | 12:00–14:00 | North paddock |
The event coincides with Open Farm Sunday, a national initiative coordinated by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF). Annabel Shackleton, LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday manager, described it as a celebration of transparency in food production. “Farms across Britain have opened their gates for two decades to show how modern farming works with nature,” she said. “This year’s 20th anniversary highlights how much trust and understanding have grown between rural and urban communities.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 20 years — Since Open Farm Sunday began in 2006
- 1,300 farms — Expected to open across the UK on June 7
Refreshments will be served all day, including locally sourced cream teas, barbecue lunches, and homemade cakes. A selection of The Wessex Flock’s wool products will be on sale, alongside stalls from Hampshire producers. Organisers are urging visitors to book tickets in advance via the farm’s website to manage capacity and avoid disappointment.
💡 Pro Tip
Arrive by 11:15 to avoid peak crowds and book wool workshop tickets online when you pre-order your entry pass.
Maple Farm sits on 140 acres of chalk downland, a landscape integral to its sustainable sheep farming model. The event also aims to highlight the farm’s environmental stewardship, including soil conservation and wildlife habitat management. Attendees will receive a free educational pack with tips on supporting British wool and sustainable fashion.
- 11:00 — Gates open; farm trails begin
- 11:30 — First wool-spinning demonstration
- 12:00 — Lamb feeding session starts
- 14:30 — Final farm tour departs
- 15:00 — Event closes to the public
Public interest has surged ahead of the event, with local media reporting a 40% increase in online searches for “Open Farm Sunday Hampshire” this week. Organisers have added extra staff and extended parking at the adjacent Gilbert Street car park. Children under five enter free, while adult tickets are £8 and include a goody bag with wool samples and a map of the farm trails.
