As seen on
Westerlands farm in the South Downs National Park, UK
Westerlands Farm, West Sussex
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Activity
Duration:
5 Nights
1 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Highlights
- Horse riding in the national park
- Wild Spa sauna & plunge pool
- Massages, aromatherapy, yoga, pilates classes
- Watch the polo at Cowdray Park
- Learn about rewilding and sustainable farming practices
- Delicious food cooked at the Woodfire Campsite
Add on Adventures
This itinerary has options for you to extend & customise your experience before &/or after your holiday. See Itinerary for details.
YellowWood's spiritual headquarters can be found here at Westerlands regenerative farm in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex, UK.
A family farm run by three sisters Antonia, Melanie and Emma, who have opened Westerlands to the public, converting the traditional horse stud into a centre for rewilding, wellness and relaxation. Westerlands offers an array of charming accommodation options to suit all budgets, with a multitude of activities such as horse riding through the South Downs National Park, Wild Spa sauna & plunge-pool, pilates, yoga & Wild Fit exercise classes as well as aromatherapy & massages, with delicious gastro cuisine served at the Woodfire Campsite and a Horsebox Café stocking plenty of locally produced cake & fresh coffee.
Basking in nature at the foot of the South Downs, Westerlands continues to be a flourishing community, with many people living on the farm itself, corporate teams on company away-days down from London hosted by Antonia, and a constant stream of visitors staying in the prestigious five bedroom Lower Barn House, or one of the cabins with outdoor hot baths under the stars, the Shepherd’s Hut gently puffing smoke from its wood stove, or in the yurt pitched close to the main house which Emma built herself; steaming the wood to get the curve just right for each pole.
Melanie began growing wilder patches of grass to preserve and encourage the biodiversity of insects and small animals on the farm long before this was a popular notion (and often clashed with the more traditional farmers in the area because of it). Now Westerlands has created ‘edible hedgerows’ for nesting birds and other animals as a food source, also utilising the hawthorn leaves for medicinal purposes and sloe berries for gin. The estate also hosts farmers and landowners from across the county who are working together to maintain the natural corridors that allow wild animals free passage of movement.
Art can be found in every corner of the estate, which also boasts its own studio, with paintings of the forested landscape by Pam and Emma being sold in surrounding galleries. Bees help to pollinate the plentiful wildflowers and the farm has begun selling its own natural honey from these industrious inhabitants. Other wildlife abounds with herds of wild deer serenely grazing alongside the badger sheep and their new-born lambs, Dexter Cows, and of course an array of horses, which often belong to the surrounding polo farms, who prize the lush grasslands of Westerlands. Antonia’s husband Oliver oversees the day to day running of the active farm, as well as many of the activities for guests and continuing sustainability projects.
The surrounding area has a Shire-like quality to it with stone built thatched-roof pubs serving hearty roast dinners with local ales and ciders, with a crisscross network of footpaths leading to them. The Roman Villa at neighbouring Bignor has impeccably preserved elaborate mosaics, with Neolithic and Bronze Age ringed tumuli on the downs themselves, where ancient ancestors continue to overlook the villages and towns in the vales of West Sussex. Westerlands welcomes you to come and experience a richness of life that preserves the traditions of the past alongside promoting wellness, sustainability and a return to nature.
Please Contact Us to create a bespoke experience for you! Click on the 'Itinerary' tab above to see activity & accommodation options.
Background
In 1981 parents David and Pam Jamison designed the enlargement of a 16th Century farmhouse on the 1000 acres of farmland and accompanying buildings of the active horseracing stud farm ‘Westerlands’ they had purchased in Graffham, West Sussex, in the hear of the national park. David’s motivations were simple – a tremendous and ambitious love of polo – of which one of the UK’s epicentres can be found a 15-minute drive away at the legendary grounds of Cowdray Park in Midhurst. His plan worked out, as by rigorous training of prized polo ponies on the farm and partnering with some of the best polo players of the time including Mexican-born Carlos and Memo Gracida, David and his team were able to win the most prestigious tournament in the sport; The Gold Cup over four successive years.
Adventure Optional Addons
Yurt
Circular yurt, simply furnished and surrounded by wide open spaces. Star gazing from bed and cooking on the fire bowl outside make this a traveller’s firm favourite.
Lower Barn House
Spacious and recently renovated to the highest standards with an outdoor kitchen for sunny days or warm evenings. Mediterranean lifestyle in the heart of the South Downs.
Barn Cottage
Quirky self contained cottage in a contemporary stable conversion. Fully self-sufficient with ethically sourced furniture and a private garden. Think barefoot luxury!
Aspen Leaves
Traditional Sussex-style shepherd's hut, with everything you'll need for a secluded stay. Newly renovated, and situated in a beautiful glade surrounded by mature oak trees.
Wood Cabin
Hand built cabin combines rustic charm of a wood stove & compost loo with the luxury of a bath under the stars. Piping hot and plentiful water make it a year round treat.
Shepherds Hut
Peaceful and secluded hut, surrounded by birch trees and fields with horses. A wood-burner inside and a fire bowl outside make this a cosy and rustic retreat.
Timber Country
Perfectly nestled off-grid at the heart of The South Downs National park, this retreat is for those that are not quite ready to go camping, but want that same outdoor living feel to their stay.
The Hideaway
Self contained apartment with own entrance, surrounded by woodland. An African theme interior is complimented by a super king Simon Horn bed. A tranquil romantic escape.
The Annex
Arranged over two floors with panoramic views of the South Downs, this self contained private annexe is ideal for families with young children (stairgate, highchair etc).
Add on Adventures
This itinerary has options for you to extend & customise your experience before &/or after your holiday. See below for details.
Bespoke Itinerary Ideas - Day 1: Welcome to Westerlands
Transfer
Dinner
Guest house
Private taxi transfers are available from London airports or local train stations.
A brief welcome and itinerary outline from a family member at Westerlands.
Optional: local pub visit for dinner (depending on arrival times and fatigue) or home-cooked dinner served here.
Day 2: Walking tour of the South Downs
Transfer
Wildlife
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Stretch your legs on a walk up onto the beautiful South Downs directly from the farm, affording stunning views of the area before a picnic-style lunch.
This can include a historical tour of the Bronze Age Tumuli burial grounds with local historian & poet James Simpson.
Perhaps try an English wine tasting experience at local vineyards of Nutbourne or Kinsbrook in the afternoon.
Enjoy a delicious dinner at Westerland's own Woodfire Campsite with gastro food cooked on an open grill.
Day 3: Horse riding in the national park
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Enjoy horse riding through the South Downs National Park! You can even ride the horses at the beach which is a short drive away.
For lunch why not have some fresh sushi delivered by our local supplier 'Little Fish'.
Jump back on your horse in the afternoon to explore more of the area, or perhaps visit The Weald & Downland Museum to learn about local Saxon history and architecture.
Finish off the day with a piping hot sauna and refreshing dips in the plunge pool before a pre-booked massage.
For dinner enjoy a walk to a traditional Sussex pub experience.
Day 4: Exploring the area
Transfer
Wildlife
After breakfast join some members of the farm for a foraging & nature discovery guided tour of the area, learning about the sustainable practices on the farm.
For lunch we can serve a healthy wholesome buffet from our in-house caterer. Don't forget to try the honey collected from the Westerlands bees and try the fresh smoothies, or tea & coffee at the Horse-box Cafe.
In the afternoon take a trip to the nearby town of Petworth, visiting the stately home and park gardens of Petworth House and the local art galleries. More horse riding is of course available on all days.
Options for dinner at The Horseguards - one of that area's finest pubs or a curry at Meghdoots Indian Restaurant.
Day 5: A day at the polo!
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Take a short drive to the neighbouring town of Midhurst to watch a game of polo at the legendary Cowdray Park polo grounds in front of the historic ruins of one of England’s most important early Tudor houses.
Cowdray is known to have been visited by both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.
It's an electric atmosphere and always a great fun day out.
Dinner at The Spreadeagle
Day 6: Depart from your relaxing country retreat
Transfer
Breakfast
Private taxi transfers are available from London airports or local train stations.
Leave feeling revived from the natural surroundings of this hidden corner of England.
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Adventure Optional Addons
Yurt
Circular yurt, simply furnished and surrounded by wide open spaces. Star gazing from bed and cooking on the fire bowl outside make this a traveller’s firm favourite.
Lower Barn House
Spacious and recently renovated to the highest standards with an outdoor kitchen for sunny days or warm evenings. Mediterranean lifestyle in the heart of the South Downs.
Barn Cottage
Quirky self contained cottage in a contemporary stable conversion. Fully self-sufficient with ethically sourced furniture and a private garden. Think barefoot luxury!
Aspen Leaves
Traditional Sussex-style shepherd's hut, with everything you'll need for a secluded stay. Newly renovated, and situated in a beautiful glade surrounded by mature oak trees.
Wood Cabin
Hand built cabin combines rustic charm of a wood stove & compost loo with the luxury of a bath under the stars. Piping hot and plentiful water make it a year round treat.
Shepherds Hut
Peaceful and secluded hut, surrounded by birch trees and fields with horses. A wood-burner inside and a fire bowl outside make this a cosy and rustic retreat.
Timber Country
Perfectly nestled off-grid at the heart of The South Downs National park, this retreat is for those that are not quite ready to go camping, but want that same outdoor living feel to their stay.
The Hideaway
Self contained apartment with own entrance, surrounded by woodland. An African theme interior is complimented by a super king Simon Horn bed. A tranquil romantic escape.
The Annex
Arranged over two floors with panoramic views of the South Downs, this self contained private annexe is ideal for families with young children (stairgate, highchair etc).
Contents
Further information:
The UK has lost approximately 97% of its flower-rich meadows since the 1930’s and with them the vital food needed by pollinators like bees and butterflies. Westerlands farm is following a hybrid, long-term approach to diversity habitats which is the key to enhancing biodiversity by keeping a mix of medium-short grass and long grass areas to meet the needs of more and different species.
Butterflies such as Meadow Browns and Skippers lay their eggs in June-July so they delay mowing all long grass areas until September when flowers have mostly finished and invertebrate lifecycles completed.
Westerlands is also proud to be a partner of the Weald to Waves project, whereby they pledge to protect new and existing habitats on their land to help create a bold and brilliant network of nature recovery corridors across Sussex – from the famous Knepp estate down to the coast.
Compulsory
- British sense of humour
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
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You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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