Fifteen years after welcoming our first young people to Jamie’s Farm, we’re overjoyed to announce the upcoming opening of our seventh site: Lower Shockerwick Farm. Nestled in the same picturesque valley as Hill House, our first permanent home, Shockerwick is an opportunity to deepen our roots in the landscape that has been at the heart of our journey from the beginning. This farm embodies our commitment to creating a place of growth, belonging, and inspiration for young people who come through our gates.
In this interview, Jamie Feilden, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Jamie’s Farm, shares why Lower Shockerwick feels like a natural extension of our mission and what makes this new site so special. Jamie reflects on the values he seeks in the new team, the impact he envisions for this farm, and the moments that have inspired him along the way. We invite you to discover the story behind Lower Shockerwick and share in the excitement of the new experiences it will bring to young people in the years to come.
Having grown up nearby, you have a strong personal connection to Shockerwick originally. Would you be happy to share a little bit more about that?
Absolutely. I grew up a few miles from here, just at the other end of the valley, which is actually where the very first visits to Jamie’s Farm happened at my mum’s house. I have this vivid memory from 20 years ago, cycling through this valley with my brother. There’s something so incredibly beautiful about this place, with farms nestled into the landscape.
On that ride, my brother and I cycled past both Hill House and Shockerwick. I had no idea at the time that either of those places would become central to Jamie’s Farm, but I was struck by how special it felt. Years later, in 2010, we started building the charity at Hill House, creating this beautiful space that has since grown into Jamie’s Farm, with locations near Bath, Waterloo, Hereford, Monmouth, Lewes and Skipton.
What’s the story behind Lower Shockerwick becoming a Jamie’s Farm site?
In the early days, I met two special people, David Goulstone and his wife, Ainslie. David was a farmer at Lower Shockerwick, and he was incredibly welcoming and supportive of the charity. He and Ainslie became friends, and over time, as David gradually began to scale down his own farming operations, he started offering us more of his land to rent.
This partnership really blossomed. David was deeply connected to his farm and loved checking on our cattle regularly and celebrating our successes on market days. We had a mutual respect for each other, and his love for the farm mirrored my own. We grew close, and I think he felt that he could trust us with his land. Eventually, when his health declined, we talked openly about our hopes to continue farming his land. I visited him often, taking him out to drive around his land to see the animals, keeping him involved as much as possible.
When David passed away, it was a profound moment. My son was born just hours before David’s funeral, and I found myself speaking at his service on the same day. That day, I felt a tremendous sense of gratitude and responsibility. We held the wake at Hill House farm, surrounded by his family, friends, and the community. It felt like the right way to honour him. Shortly afterwards, things moved forward for us to buy Lower Shockerwick, which we did in August 2023. Taking ownership was a huge moment for me and it was the start of a new chapter that I hope David would have loved.
How does it feel to be opening the seventh farm in Jamie’s Farm’s fifteenth year?
It feels like a powerful step forward. Personally, I’m deeply connected to this landscape and this valley. Lower Shockerwick is such a quintessential Cotswold farm—it looks like something out of a storybook, and I believe it will make an incredible impact on the young people who come here. When they arrive, they’ll be stepping into a place that feels magical, and it’s a place that’s held a special place in my heart for so long.
Reflecting on where we’ve come from, it’s pretty amazing that we’ve been able to reach over 15,000 children nationwide. But even as we grow, each site still feels like home. We’ve managed to bring the same sense of care, love, and respect for the land to each farm, creating environments where young people feel safe, valued, and able to explore. That’s my vision for Jamie’s Farm, and it’s a dream come true to see it happening here in this valley.
What’s unique about Shockerwick that will compliment Jamie’s Farm overall?
I’m a bit biased, but I think Shockerwick is an incredibly special place. I fell in love with it over many years. Our other farms are all incredibly special and beautiful in their own unique ways. For Shockerwick, it’s been a long, growing love affair. It has an amazing history, tied to Shockerwick House nearby. The farm itself is dotted with these beautiful features—like the Bathstone pillars in the cattle yard and ancient stone troughs—that give you a sense of stepping back in time.
When it’s ready, Shockerwick will be a perfect blend of farming, history, and natural beauty. There are these majestic oak trees that must be three or four hundred years old, and we have a stretch of river, woodland, and an amazing network of hedges that make it a thriving environment for both nature and farming. I was down there recently, watching my own children play around one of the massive oak trees—it’s a landscape that invites learning and exploration, and it’s just incredible to see young people enjoying it.
With Shockerwick being so close to Hill House, can you tell us more about the hub model and what it means for Jamie’s Farm?
The hub model is exciting because it allows us to work more closely as a team without having to travel far. Jess Callen, who’s been with us a long time as Head of Farm at Jamie’s Farm Bath, will oversee both Hill House and Shockerwick, bringing a sense of continuity and support. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our staff to develop a close-knit peer group. I remember the early days of Jamie’s Farm, where we’d work hard all week and then relax together on a Friday night. I hope we can recreate that sense of camaraderie here.
From a farming perspective, this model opens new possibilities. We now have over 300 acres of continuous land along a beautiful stretch of river, which lets us farm in a sustainable way. We’ll be able to walk livestock from Hill House to Shockerwick and manage this land as a unified piece of farmland, which is a fantastic way to care for the environment while creating a seamless experience for the young people who come here.
What are the main qualities you look for in team members when shaping a new farm?
When we’re building a team for a new farm, like Lower Shockerwick, I look for a real diversity of characters and backgrounds. A mix of ages, experiences, and cultural differences makes all the difference—especially for the young people who come to Jamie’s Farm. If we have a team that brings a range of perspectives, it’s much easier for the kids to connect and feel seen.
Our team members need to genuinely enjoy being part of a close-knit, supportive group. At Jamie’s Farm, collaboration is key; we’re only as strong as our unity. We have to be together and stay focused on why we’re here—to give these young people the best possible experience.
That said, I also look for people who want to have fun with their colleagues. Humour and warmth create the kind of healthy, positive relationships we want to model for the kids. When I walk into the kitchen at Hill House, it’s fantastic to see the camaraderie and laughter. It’s an environment that feels both welcoming and professional, with everyone committed to our shared mission.
Starting a new farm brings a special kind of energy. There’s an opportunity for the team to shape the place, whether it’s developing the garden, trying new cooking styles, or finding ways to make the farm feel uniquely theirs. It’s about building a space that reflects love and care, so that every young person who steps onto the farm feels it. For those joining us at Lower Shockerwick, it’s a chance to be part of something wonderful from the ground up, creating a home for our young people that feels as special as the farm itself.
