Lower Smite Farm

Lower Smite Farm by Steve Bloomfield

Lower Smite Farm by Steve Bloomfield

Lower Smite Farm

A 150 acre working arable farm with a nature trail, wildlife garden and the Trust's operational base & Environmental Education Centre.

Location

Smite Hill
Hindlip
Worcester & Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR3 8SZ
A static map of Lower Smite Farm

Know before you go

Size
61 hectares
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Parking information

Car park open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. At other times, park in layby by farm shed.
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Grazing animals

Cattle and sheep
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Walking trails

Circular trail available - leaflet from farmhouse porch or to download below. Muddy and slippery underfoot when wet.

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Access

Wheelchair access limited to area around farmhouse and granary.

Dogs

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Facilities

Toilets
Shop
Picnic area
Accessible toilet

When to visit

Opening times

7 days a week but car parking only available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Purchased in 2001, the farm is managed to demonstrate how sensitive farming techniques can improve the quality of the agricultural landscape for wildlife. 

The nature trail takes in a range of habitats around the farm including a replanted traditional orchard, a wetland, several ponds, arable fields and bird food crops.  In spring, visitors should listen for displaying skylarks in the fields and for reed warbler around the ponds in summer.  Whitethroat and reed buntings are also worth keeping a lookout for during the summer months and large flocks of finches – green, gold and chaffinch – are plentiful throughout winter.

The ponds are great for dragonflies and up to 15 different species are seen in most years including broad-bodied chaser, emperor, black-tailed skimmer and azure damselfly. The wide field margins - some planted with special seed mix, some left to develop their own flora – encourage a wide range of insects with butterflies frequently observed.  Bees and butterflies can also be spotted in good numbers in the gardens in front of the main farmhouse.  These are managed to help schoolchildren attending our education centre discover more about the importance of growing your own food and gardening for wildlife.

You can find out more about how we manage Lower Smite Farm on our farming and agriculture pages.

The buildings at Lower Smite Farm form the Trust’s operational base.  Commercial gain from the farm and room lettings is used to support the education programmes run from the centre and on our nature reserves across Worcestershire.

Contact us

Jasmine Walters
Contact number: 01905 754919

Location map

Lower Smite Farm trail leaflet

Marbled white butterfly (white and grey checked/marbled pattern) sitting on vegetation by Wendy Carter

Marbled white by Wendy Carter

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