A Farm Reclaimed: The Slow and Steady Revival of Foxesflot

 

The silence at Foxesflot is just as owner Louise so eloquently describes - like velvet - dense, soft, and enveloping. It’s the first thing you notice as you turn off the narrow Devon lane and follow the winding track that leads to this secluded riverside retreat. No distant hum of traffic, no overhead roar of flight paths. Just the faint baas of the resident sheep, and the mischievous bleating of the goats plotting their next escapade. And if you’re lucky when you visit like us, you might even get to cuddle a 3-day-old baby goat being warmed in the dog’s crate by the aga.

 

For Louise and Andrew, that quiet was once a dream. “We’ve always been in love with the countryside,” Louise explains. “Our previous home was in a tiny village in West Sussex, but sadly, over time, the village just grew and grew, and then Gatwick Airport diverted their flightpath. It was sad leaving all our friends behind, but we craved the space and peace. The silence here is like velvet—I just love it.”

 

The search for Foxesflot wasn’t quick or simple. It took nearly two years to buy the farm, with the final papers signed just before the country went into lockdown. “It was a stressful time,” Louise recalls. “With removals companies bailing on us, we did all the moving ourselves, thankfully there was little traffic. We laugh about it now.” From there, the transformation was a slow, organic process. “I’d hate to say we’ve been winging it,” she adds, “but maybe it’s better to say the farm has developed organically. Nature and the farm teach you rapidly that you’re not in charge, and you have to be flexible.”

 

 

Foxesflot’s beauty runs deep, with history intertwined in its very structure. The farmhouse itself began life as a medieval Devon Long Barn—its original beams still holding firm beneath centuries of additions. The massive fireplace and front porch were all ‘acquired’ from Tavistock Abbey during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1536.

But it was the Victorian daffodil fields that first captured their imagination. “The entire Bere Peninsula was an important area for daffodil production. Our local railway was developed specifically so they could get next-day deliveries to London,” Louise explains. “During the Second World War, many of the daffodil fields were grubbed up to make way for edible produce, but the hedgerows are still bursting with so many different varieties in the Spring.” They’ve found joy in these hidden relics, especially the Butter & Eggs daffodils, “which are a beautiful double-headed flower with an amazing scent,” Louise adds. “The oldest daffodils on the farm have twisted outer petals and spiral leaves. They pop up everywhere.”

 

 

 

Foxesflot’s rich history continues to influence its present. “We’ve tried to preserve as much of its heritage as we can. It’s not easy, but we’ve given a nod to the farm’s different periods while creating a comfortable place to stay. The farm is rustic and rural but has all the modern amenities you’d need.” The valley itself, once full of barges hauling tin, copper, and silver, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a reminder of the industrial past that continues to shape the landscape today.

 

When Louise and Andrew arrived, Foxesflot was loved but undeniably weary. The orchard had been overtaken by brambles. “The orchard was being swallowed up by brambles—so high in places we didn’t even appreciate there were trees in there!” Louise laughs. What the farm needed most was life—new life. The first creatures to arrive were a herd of rare English Goats. “They are hardy, thrifty, and docile. They’ll eat anything—brambles are a speciality!” says Louise. “When we started keeping our English Goats, there were only 90 registered breeding females in the country. It’s nice to think we now have 8% of the population.”

 

The goats have truly become part of the farm’s character. “They are happy and mischievous. Never missing a trick, or a gate that might not be properly latched.” One goat, Cox, has become especially fond of human company. “Cox loves nothing more than coming and finding you for a bit of fuss,” says Louise.

Beyond the goats, the farm is buzzing with life. Rescue hens, geese, and even bees all contribute to Foxesflot’s charm. “Collecting eggs from our happy rescue ex-battery hens is always a joy. We joke with our mild Devon climate that plants grow like they’re on steroids!” From the apples in the orchard, which are pressed into juice, to the soon to arrive rare breed pigs, there’s always something to enjoy.

 

Their chief aim is to make as little environmental impact as possible.  They have installed a Biomass Boiler which provides all the heating and hot water using logs that come within 25 miles of the farm via the Dartmoor Wood Co-operative, and they have solar panels on our tractor shed. 

 

And most recently, they are now officially an Organic Farm accredited with the Soil Association – a process that has taken two years of hard work.  By only farming hardy and slow growing rare native breeds they need little input with feedstuffs, working in harmony with the natural landscape.  Slow food tastes better and is better for the planet.

 

Foxesflot, with its patchwork of history, is a place that quietly commands attention—a natural backdrop for storytellers and retreat organisers alike. Hidden on the banks of the River Tamar at the end of a long winding Devon lane, there’s no through traffic, and only the neighbouring sheep and cattle keep us company. Having taken lots of photographs themselves, they soon realised that Foxesflot is a very special place. It’s wonderful to see visitors really enjoy what they’ve created here.

 

The changing light plays its own role. “On mist-laden mornings, the farm feels almost spectral—its ancient bones stirring through the haze. By afternoon, the valley is awash with warmth, dappled light spilling through the orchard trees. At dusk, the sun dips low over the River Tamar, brushing the water with copper and gold. It’s an incredible sight to witness.”

 

For creatives, Foxesflot offers more than just a location—it offers a narrative. The weathered textures of the barns, the winding lanes, and the endless hedgerows brimming with forgotten daffodils invite the camera to linger a little longer.

  

  

 

Foxesflot Farm isn’t just a place—it’s a story waiting to be told. Whether you’re seeking a secluded location for a yoga or creative retreat, a feature film or a picturesque backdrop for a photoshoot, the farm’s rustic charm and timeless scenery offer endless possibilities. For retreat organisers, it’s a haven of peace—a place where guests can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.

 

To book Foxesflot for your next creative project or retreat, view the full gallery and listing and get in touch. Let the farm’s enduring beauty set the scene for your story.