WELCOME TO OUR PARADISE
A NATURAL APPROACH
The Keily family planted their thousands of blueberry bushes back in 2006, after realising that the wild 'wortleberries' that used to grow in abundance on the moor, were cousins of the blueberry. The farm is at high altitude, near Dunkery Beacon, and the soil is the perfect ph level for these yummy plants. This, combined with the freshest air and purest water, makes our blueberries truly special.
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Believing in a natural approach, the plants have been left to their own devices, cross pollinating across the nine plant varieties using bumblebees and butterflies, and the fields are home to all sorts of wildlife which have helped them thrive. All you need to do is come and enjoy it!
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As well as blueberry picking, we offer a 'wild' camping experience so you can enjoy our corner of the natural world including the most beautiful clear stars!
ABOUT THE FARM
While we used to keep Exmoor horns, geese, chickens, guinea fowl and ducks, the blueberries are now our main focus. We used to provide various local village shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as various organic outlets with our berries throughout the short harvest, but we now focus entirely on PYO.
It is the ultimate product as berry gathering has a primordial appeal, and even more so among the richness of plant and animal life, the naturalness of our plantation, and the incredible views. We really love welcoming the public to come and enjoy the experience of "picking their own", freely roaming our 13 acres across 2 valleys. People often bring a picnic and make a day out of it. We are up a long bumpy track (that has been repeatedly improved over the years), and have a reception 'hut' with punnets if you forget your containers, and an honesty box to pay in. We are usually busy somewhere on the farm, so it is all set up to help yourselves, but we do check in regularly to make sure everyone is looked after.
Our pyo book in the hut provides a moving testament from SO many people who warmly appreciate the rich experience, the beauty...The TASTE... The freedom of being trusted to act with respect and enjoy this special place. We are into 2nd generations now of visitors who are drawn back every year, and many come several times a week. It is also fun to hear (literally) DAILY "conversions" opening with the words -"Wow -THESE blueberries?!... I didn't know they could taste this good! Delicious!..." This is especially satisfying from grumpy folk ("I don't like bueberries!"...) who have been dragged up by a spouse, think they will just sit and wait, and end up tasing one out of curiosity!
Most locals who have been - ("local" including all the way across Somerset and into Devon), cannot bear to eat supermarket blueberries any more, and ensure themselves a year's supply by picking enough each season to last till next season... Have a look at the comments on our Exmoor Blueberries Facebook page. (Our blueberries freeze brilliantly well). . . Some people travel for repeat yearly visits from far afield in the UK.
We have Exmoor hotels and restaurants who find our blueberries so delicious that they come themselves to pick large quantities to ensure they can offer them on their menus in their establishments. (We offer deals for quantity).
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Then there is the Wild Camping experience... Under the stars in this DarkSky reserve... Even more ideal when you can wake up and go pick some fresh blueberries for breakfast in the peace of this beautiful place.
OUR ECOSYSTEM
The blueberry fields and their surroundings have become part of their own ecosystem. By leaving the bushes mostly to their own devices, there are hundreds of species of plants (admittedly including lots of so-called weeds!), and animals. We are happy to share the land with lots of species of frogs, lizards, mice, shrews and voles- which in turn keep the resident barn owl and tawny owl happy! There are butterflies and bees, stoats and hedgehogs, and plenty of visiting pheasants and partridges from the neighbouring shoots. Exmoor has some of the UK's freshest air and water, which keep our wildlife healthy, and is also Europe's first Dark Sky Reserve, with the lack of light pollution meaning we have the most incredible stars!