Shadymoor Farm is a peaceful, idyllic retreat with irresistible higgledy-piggledy charm. Located between the towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow, its irregular contours follow those of the original deer park laid out in 1284 by Robert of Stapleton.
Being the ideal countryside getaway, it is not just our human visitors who love spending time at Shadymoor Farm! As well as pheasant, you’re guaranteed to see any one of our 70 fallow or red deer, making the farm an ideal safari spot. On the Farm Tour you’ll also encounter beef cattle, horses and Kerry Hill sheep. Upper Shadymoor is also a natural water park, with a brook and 16 pools on our 200 acres.
If your perfect holiday involves eating well, you’ll love our game-filled Farm Larder, which stocks our own venison, pigeon, pheasant, duck, rabbit, and our Head Chef Kevan’s ready-prepared meals. There’s also the renowned local gastronomic scene that includes Ludlow’s two Michelin-starred restaurants and gastropubs galore. We are always on hand to help you with recommendations and booking, just ask, we are more than happy to help!
Shadymoor Farm is all about family, and so when you visit us you will get to know our family and become a special part of our lives. We are Kevan and Joy Fox, and we’ve lived at Upper Shadymoor for eleven years. We both hail from farming families from neighbouring villages and so we have plenty of tales of the area to share. You will probably meet most of us during your stay, but of our four children Ivor, Fleur, Lloyd and Gregory, you’re most likely to catch sight of Gregory, who teaches various country skills. (ref: Victoria County History of Shropshire Vol VIII pages 161 –167; Shropshire fieldnames by H. D. George Foxall) Shadymoor Farm is steeped in heritage and remains one of Britain’s most traditional farmlands with traceable roots going all the way back to the 13th century. It’s this history that makes Shadymoor Farm such a unique destination, with many stories to tell. In 1284 Robert of Stapleton was granted a licence to impark “Alsemore”, likely to be the park occupying most of Shadymoor’s “Stapleton Great Park”, (field numbers 182 – 185) The heart of the park was an enclosure called ‘Alsemore’, which means ‘ancient.’ Shadymoor Farm itself was known as ‘Stanleymoor’ in the early 14th century and ‘Shadwell Moor’ in 1547, so it too has seen its fair share of re-naming! More facts about Shadymoor farm and this beautiful part of the world: Shadymoor Farm is set in just over 200 acres of pasture and woodland, with 16 pools and lakes and several streams. The landscape, reminiscent of bygone rural England, includes unspoilt hedgerows and coppices, full of wildflowers, plus red and fallow deer in woodland glades. Today Shadymoor is farmed within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This means that, as owners of Shadymoor Farm and protectors of its heritage, we are keen to not only preserve but actively encourage wildlife to develop in harmony with the sheep and beef cattle that graze between April and October. The residents and visitors to our farm include swans, mallard duck, coot, grebe, canadian and pinkfoot geese and many woodland birds. Add to this foxes, badgers and hares and you begin to imagine that even Mrs Tiddlewinkle might appear from under the hedgerow! During the winter months, the deer and a small pedigree flock of Kerry Hill sheep remain with the family’s horses, dogs and chickens. The Kerry Hill ewes lamb in March, by which time, neighbouring ewes and lambs are also on the land. A small number of horse liveries also enjoy the extensive and outstanding countryside riding available; together with the outdoor all weather ménage. We suggest that if you wish to make the most of walks, unless the weather has been exceptionally dry, that you bring stout walking shoes/boots though wellingtons can be provided on request. The farm-stead is set within approximately two acres of gardens, established in 2003, it’s a beautiful place to relax – with hammock, jetty and seating. Over the past decade we’ve enhanced our environment as part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme HLS scheme and we love to share our passion for this stunning area. If you’re interested to know more, why not join us for a wildlife walk to explore old hay meadows, the bluebell woods in spring, sunflowers in summer, and the whiffy wild garlic, as well as a whole host of birds including – if you’re lucky – kingfishers, owls (barn and tawny), woodcocks, curlews, coots, pink-footed and greylag geese. The orchard and the garden pool are overlooked by our wainhouse barn which, built with our own oak, ash and alder, houses the showers and the Farm Larder. The barn also makes a beautifully rustic venue for Red Farmed Deer Enterprise Most recently the farm has increased red deer numbers, changing the management system from park managed fallow to farmed red. The infrastructure has been supported by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas via South Shropshire Leader FundingShadymoor Family
Shadymoor Roots
Shadymoor Grounds
larger social gatherings and feasts. This – and the lake and hot tub for relaxing fun – makes the farm ideal for group bookings and parties.