In 1978 Langley Farm, now known as Longdown Activity Farm, was taken on by the Barker-Mill family. The farm had been neglected and took two years to rebuild. In 1980, the Deerleep herd started milking at Longdown and in 1985, it was opened to the public to educate people about life on a working farm as by this point, other animals including pigs, goats, sheep, poultry and rabbits had been introduced.
The farm has developed since then with Barker-Mill letting the land to Longdown Activity Farm which provides fun for the whole family with hands-on activities including bottle-feeding kid goats and calves – and ducks. Plus there are lots of other friendly animals to meet too!
Today a wildlife park featuring a collection of indigenous species in their natural surroundings, the park had once begun as a Butterfly Farm. Opened in 1981, it was a daring venture since at that time there were no other live butterfly exhibits in Britain. Featuring a 6,000 sq.ft glasshouse, dragonfly ponds, nature trail, farm shop and restaurant; it became immensely popular and visitors flocked to see the butterflies.
Expanding on the original Butterfly Farm, the land is now home to the New Forest Wildlife Park with over 20 different mammals, eight varieties of owls and a conversation programme. The family run business who rent the land from The Barker-Mill Estates, attracts visitors from across the county and beyond.
The Testwood and Nursling fishery and surrounding land is part of the Barker-Mill private estate which has been owned by the family since 1527. On the lower reaches of the picturesque and world-famous River Test, the estate water divides into three beats prior to flowing into the sea and there is fishing available for mixed species and in particular trout. The Estate recognises the importance of this historic and environmentally important natural resource and is committed to creating a sustainable, outstanding fishing experience. The Estate recognises the importance of this historic and environmentally important natural resource, and are fully committed to creating a sustainable, first class fishing experience.
The Lower Test Nature Reserve in Test Valley, situated on land owned by Barker-Mill Estates, is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
An impressive 400 acres (162 hectares) of beautifully preserved land, it includes saltmarshes, reedbeds march and meadows that have remained unspoiled for many years. Over 450 species of plant and wildflower have been recorded at the reserve including Green-Winged Orchids and an Adder’s Tongue Fern, which are extremely scarce, and eight different species of Buttercup. Wildlife includes Orange-Tip butterflies feeding on the Cuckoo Flower, and a range of song birds.
© Photo by Martin Ellis
Barker-Mill Estates has donated land to Colbury Parish Council to deliver new allotments for the community. There are different types and sizes of allotments depending on a person’s needs including a raised bed for the elderly and disabled, and a communal area for children to play and allotment holders to relax.
Provision of land in Nursling also enabled the parish council to offer 35 allotments to the community.
Barker-Mill Estates made land available and worked with the New Forest National Park, Marchwood Parish Council and various community groups to launch the Marchwood to Totton Cycle Route to create a much-needed cycle path.
There was a local requirement to provide a safe alternative transport link for cyclists between Marchwood and Totton, and Barker-Mill Estates was pleased to provide the land to make this a reality. The 2-kilometre-long cycle path is set well away from heavy-vehicle traffic on Bury Road and is a welcome feature to both the residents of Marchwood and those who travel to work. Today, it is one of the most heavily used cycle paths in the New Forest.
With a generous £100,000 from Barker-Mill Estates and the Foundation, the community of Marchwood benefits from a combined community, Scout and Guide hall.
The Barker-Mill Estate also supported the building of Colbury Scout Centre and the scout hut in Nursling.