Little Comfort Farm
Little Comfort Farm is a biodiversity hotspot amongst some of the best preserved wild areas and reserves in the country. The farm has never been intensively farmed, and managed organically for many years. We have recorded 83 bird species (18 red listed), 21 butterfly species and 12 bat species (at least 9 roosting) to name a few! It is recognised by Natural England as being important for greater horseshoe bats and barn owls and in 2017 we discovered a maternity barbastelle bat roost of regional importance! We often post about our latest finds on our Facebook page so do follow us.
If you’d like to see what else we’ve recorded on the farm, you can download our species spreadsheet here: LCF Species Records
The farm is owned by ecologists, Jeremy and Jodie who are passionate about the outstanding wildlife the farm supports. Their priority is to conserve and enhance the farm for nature, and grazing livestock is integral to this goal. Managed organically to Soil Association Standards (without the use of artificial pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals), the grassland is grazed by a herd of regionally native ruby red Devon cattle and a flock of Welsh Lleyn cross Texel sheep. The orchard is tended to by rare breed West of England geese and a small and varied flock of laying hens provide the farm with delicious eggs.
Much of the farm is managed under a Higher Level Stewardship regime which in our case has seen the enhancement of some fantastic rough grassland and meadow habitats. These run alongside our riparian habitat in association with the Caen River, which has formed our valley over millennia. Much of Little Comfort is bordered by ancient woodland which enables us to enjoy a variety of habitats and an astounding array of wildlife.
Meet our dippers, kingfishers, ravens, nesting kestrels, sparrowhawks and amazing flocks of goldfinches, swallows and more. Fine tune your bird watching skills, learn more about birdsong identification and capture brilliant photo opportunities. Jeremy is a professional ornithologist and weaves birds into all his nature walks!
Little Comfy is home to at least 12 different bat species. These include barbastelle, greater and lesser horseshoe, serotine, noctule, common and soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton's, Natterer's, whiskered/Brandt's and long-eared bats. Discover how captivating bats are and join us for a sunset bat walk with professional bat equipment to listen in on their world. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Led by Jodie or Jeremy, professional bat ecologists.
Taking you through the valley on a voyage of nature discovery, each season brings different wildlife to the farm! You may find meadows full of butterflies, a sleeping slow worm, beautiful orchids or a resting buzzard. Play the detective and find tell ‘tail’ signs of badgers, otters, deer, fox, hare and rabbit, help check our trail cam to see what night time activity we've recorded. Finding nature and spotting signs is not only our passion but our profession!
On a mission to prove that moths are anything but boring and arguably even more stunning than many of our butterflies. Get up early and join us to open up a moth trap and see what treasures lie within. Have a go at moth ID and take a close look at some truly beautiful mini beasts through magnifying pots.
In spring we see a mass migration of toads, frogs and newts to Little Comfort farm! Once the sun goes down we grab high power torches, wellies and introduce you to our friendly little fly catchers – we’ll catch a few for a close look too.
We offer a private nature session which can be tailored depending on your accessibility needs and wildlife interests. We can focus on sights and/or sounds, and these can be static surveys from the comfort of your own cottage garden for those with restricted mobility. Please contact us to arrange a bespoke session. £60 per session (up to 5 people).
If you are into nature, you will be spell bound by Little Comfort. The owners of the farm, Jeremy and Jodie are ecologists and delight in sharing it with our guests. Take a look at our nature sessions which can be enjoyed as part of your stay with us. Our nature sessions are complimentary for resident guests.
Find out moreIdyllic wildlife trails guide our guests through our a beautiful valley created by the River Caen which runs enchantingly through its centre. Traditionally managed, flower rich fields of unimproved and semi-improved grassland are bordered by dense berry, flower and nature rich hedgerows on both sides of the valley. These are interspersed by areas of ancient woodland and a traditional orchard. The river feeds a secluded and peaceful lake and series of ponds. A refuge from potentially damaging and intensive farming techniques, Little Comfort is a treasure trove for wildlife. Whatever your interest, birds, butterflies, bats, otters, flowers….prepare to be astounded.
Close by, Braunton Burrows is so unique it’s protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Exmoor needs no introduction and Lundy Island sits preserved in time, just ask the Puffins and thousands of other sea birds.
