FWAG Otter Trophy Winner 2006 for conservation

Farmers Weekly Coutryside Farmer of the Year 2006  Runner Up 

Bookham Farm is still essentially a commercial farm but we have always encouraged wildlife. Much of the farm is in Countryside Stewardship and in the South Wessex Downs Environmentally Sensitive Area. We have planted several acres of Woodland and in the last few years have put up about 40 owl, kestrel and other bird boxes around the farm. We have also built an artificial badgers sett. The hedges are allowed to grow up and are trimmed to an A shape, depending on the species, every 2 - 3 years.

The cottages at Bookham court benefit from having superb locations to view the local Dorset wildlife which makes them ideal for a wildlife holiday.

In 2004/05 we erected a wildlife hide for us to monitor the local Dorset wildlife and to also allow the general public and holiday makers to appreciate the wonderful environment we live in. From interactive cameras we can follow the life of a specific bird or mammal from birth onwards, subject to the time of year.

Enjoy a close look at the Dorset wildlife at Bookham Farm on your holiday from the comfort of our wildlife hide. From this heated wooden hide you can watch the badger and birds feeding and playing in front of the hide, subject to the time of year.

Our interactive cameras also allow you to watch live footage of wildlife, images are updated every 10 seconds. 

wildlife hide images

Birds nesting and hatching, through to flying the nest The inside of our artificial badgers sett Mammal boxes Birds and occasional squirrels on seed and peanut feeders

Bookham Court badger/owl video footage can also be found at: www.chalkandhawks.org.uk/video_gallery_home.html

Follow the Wessex Ridgeway Farm Walks, over our own farm and that of neighbouring Dorset farms. The trail is way-marked by signs and notice boards, giving you information about each farm, the wildlife, landscape and archaeology.

During a spring and summer wildlife holiday you may see scarce wildflowers such as the Common Spotted Orchid or Birdsfood Trefoil and look out for the Common Blue Butterfly or Six-spot Burnet Moth.