About the Farm
Hi, we’re James and Sarah. In 2021 we bought Fron Goch Farm with a simple ambition: to create a place where people and nature could thrive. With Sarah’s master’s degree in conservation and land management, we wanted to support and increase biodiversity by giving the natural world the space it needs to grow and flourish. For People, we wanted to provide somewhere for families and friends to come together, have fun and enjoy a special private place.
Making the house fit the idea
Over time, we realised that the house needed to reflect the same values as the land. Having initially carried out a light renovation, we wanted to move away from burning thousands of litres of heating oil each year and relying on gas for cooking, towards a more sustainable, energy-efficient home.
This has led to a much larger renovation, with more still to come. In early 2026 we completely renovated the main house, improved the insulation and windows, installed underfloor heating and a ground-source heat pump powered by three 100-metre boreholes. We’ve also made the house more accessible, with wider doorways, more open spaces and an improved downstairs bathroom to better accommodate people with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users.
Outside, we developed the playground and have dug kilometres of paths by hand across the steep terrain, giving guests the chance to explore the land and experience the rewilding up close. For us, it’s about creating a place that works in harmony with nature, without shutting people out of it.
Giving the land room to breathe
Our approach to rewilding has been to step back and let the land find its own way. After decades of relatively light grazing, we began by leaving areas alone to see what would emerge.
Different parts of the farm have developed in different ways. Natural woodland is establishing itself, with young trees growing among bracken, gorse and bramble, while other areas are becoming wetland or meadow. Rather than impose a single landscape, we’re allowing these habitats to develop naturally.
That doesn’t mean doing nothing. We’ve removed unnecessary fences to help wildlife move more freely and tackled invasive species, including Himalayan balsam along the river. We’re also restoring our old cider orchard, pruning the trees and using a small flock of sheep to graze beneath them. With help from a local cider maker our apples are now being turned into cider available to buy locally. Check them out on instagram Tirlais
What comes next?
There’s still plenty we’d love to do at Fron Goch Farm. Over the coming years, we hope to develop existing buildings to provide more guest accommodation and facilities, create a small space for weddings and celebrations, and potentially introduce a campsite. Having already hosted yoga and art sessions, we’re also looking forward to bringing more people together through community events.
Our vision remains much the same as it was when we began: to create a special place where people can spend time together, make memories and enjoy the outdoors, while giving nature the space to thrive. We’re excited to see how the farm continues to evolve, and to share that journey with the people who visit.
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