Brambles is based at Bowling Green Farm, a working smallholding owned and run by Julie and Alan Edwards, and their family.

Brambles started out in 2002 breeding special breeds of farm animals for sale as pets. Since then the vision of the company has broadened to encompass care services and country-side skills education for people of all ages, and all abilities, including those with special needs.

“Brambles” is the theme and brand name for the following businesses:

is a smallholding which breeds and promotes special and rare breeds of animals, in particular farm animals such as Angora and Pygmy Goats, Kune Kune Pigs and many breeds of poultry.  This business has been running for several years. www.specialbreeds.co.uk

provides Care Farm and Animal Assisted Therapy activities for people of all ages with special needs.  This venture commenced operations in September 2009. www.livingfarm.co.uk

provides education to mainstream schools and people interested in learning country skills, such as running a smallholding.  Smallholders courses have been running for 2 years and short course for schools commenced in December 2009.  www.countrycollege.co.uk

We believe that the countryside is an ideal place to grow our business. Like us, there are more and more people wanting to live closer to the land, experience the good life, and whilst doing so give something back to the natural world.

We are situated in the middle of Castlemorton Common, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with spectacular views over the Malvern Hills and the Severn Valley. There is an air of safe haven, calmness, quiet and beauty. This naturally leads to a feeling of wellbeing and supports a relaxed way of learning.

We usually have about 30 Kune Kune Pigs and piglets, 30 Angora Goats and kids, and several hundreds of Poultry with their chicks of all sorts of breeds, sizes and colours.  All of the animals are bred to be kept or sold as pets, and none of them are eaten.  All of our animals have an excellent temperament. They are easy to manage, and are perfect for children and people with special needs to be able to get close to, touch and build relationships with.

We are small farm, and so when our clients and visitors are here, there is no heavy machinery moving about, or large unpredictable animals. Of course, we are always improving our facilities and learning how to do things better, so if you have good ideas please let us know.

People with bird phobias and allergies

We have free range chickens which have access to most of the open areas. If any visitors are known to have a fear of birds, please let us know and we will do our best to keep certain areas clear.  We do regularly have people come to us who have a phobia of birds. If our clients would like to, we find some quiet time to help them brave enough to get close to and even stroke little chickens.