Community Farm
(Partner business)
About
Wellington Community Farm began life in August 2022, after Somerset West and Taunton district council bought over 60 acres (24.3 ha) between Tonedale Mill and Hilly Head for the Green Corridor (now on a 150-year lease to Wellington Town Council). The farm is on part of this land (18 acres), adjacent to the Basins, where there are veg beds surrounded by meadow land and hedgerows.
This community assisted agriculture (CSA) scheme was launched with the help of a grant from the Somerset Community Foundation intended to support community-led projects making healthier, responsibly grown food available to residents.
Directions
The farm is currently accessed on foot from the field gate at The Basins. Turn off Station Road down Corams Lane, postcode TA21 8LL. Before you turn left for the sports centre, take the lane straight ahead. Walk over the bridge between the two ponds, then turn left and you will see the field gate what 3 words: directive.supporter.stencil (note – not the gate for the allotments, but further left). Do try and walk or cycle to avoid extra cars in the sports centre car park. Do avoid driving into The Basins area as this is a space where people come to walk and enjoy the scenery.
Design
To start things off, the farm was located on 1.5 acres (0.6 ha) adjacent to the Basins. In spring 2023, the field was ploughed and prepared ready for the first crops to be planted. Further development of the farm will include more land for growing fruit and vegetables and to add extra facilities such as poly tunnels, with full time staff to manage the farm and its outreach and educational activities.
In addition to the normal farm activities of growing food, the design also ensured that there was a meadow area around the edge and hedgerows protected to support wildlife. The farm is grateful for the support of Wellington Town Council.
Implementation
A fantastic project like this can only work with a team of fantastic volunteers! If you’d like to be one of them, or if you’d like a veg box, do get in touch at Wellington Community Food.
Biodiversity
The original idea behind the purchase of the land for public use was to avoid it being sold for building and to protect and strengthen the biodversity in the area. The community farm is also committed to supporting biodiversity. To this end the farm includes wilding/meadow strips around the perimeter and is preserving and enhancing hedgerows. Being located next to the Basins, which is a nature reserve, makes this approach to the farm important. Another reason why TTW loves Wellington Community Farm and all it stands for!
2022
Acquired
15,000m²
Size
?
Plants Added
Plant Species
Existing Mature Trees
- 1x Oak
Added Trees (Large)
Added Trees (Medium)
Planting Plan
The plan of the community farm shows how the growing of food crops and the encouraging of wildlife are being developed together. Maintaining the hedgerows, planting trees and retaining a meadow encourages biodiversity alongside the growing of food for the community. This farm reduced food miles and increases food security. This watercolour of the Community Farm is by Somerset artist and Wellington resident Matthew Slocombe.
Photos – Summer 2025
Photos – Hedge Planting 2024
Photos
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