About Hollows Farm

At Hollows Farm, our aim is to run a regenerative and sustainable farm that produces an ethical food supply to the local area, whilst also providing lovely accommodation and summertime camping facilities for visitors.

Meet Matthew & Ruby

Hi, we’re Matthew and Ruby! We took over the tenancy of Hollows Farm in November 2024 from Matthews parents, Gavin and Laura, who lovingly farmed here for over 30 years. Hollows Farm is a National Trust owned farm, which we now rent on a long term tenancy.

For Matthew, farming on these Lakeland fells has always been a lifelong passion. Growing up on the farm with his parents, he developed a deep connection to the land and the traditions of hill farming. Ruby, also local to the Lake District, has a background in hospitality and working with animals. Whilst farming is new to her, she’s eager to embrace the challenge and learn every step of the way!

Together, we’re working to develop Hollows Farm into a climate resilient, sustainable farming business. We are so excited to learn and develop with the land around us!

Sustainable & Ethical Farming at Hollows Farm

At Hollows Farm, we are dedicated to sustainable and regenerative farming ensuring an ethical, locally sourced food supply. We are currently working with the National Trust to develop a potential landscape recovery programme, combining nature and farming together to increase biodiversity and climate resilience.

Our flock of native Herdwick and Cheviot sheep play a crucial role in maintaining and enriching the landscape through careful, sensitive grazing. Our aim over the next few years is to keep our lambs here on the farm and let them mature slowly in a stress free environment, when ready they will be taken to a local abattoir and then sold directly to customers. Therefore providing a healthy and ethical meat supply to people with very few miles from farm to fork. We are also going to be minimising and potentially eliminating concentrated feeds, alongside making sure we are using feeds without soy; as soy cannot be sourced locally and is not a sustainable product in animal feeds. We are extending this high welfare, sustainable approach to our small herd of native breed cattle. We will be selling lakeland beef directly from the farm.

Farming with nature

At Hollows Farm, we have a flourishing eco system that we want to maintain and improve. We work with the landscape to encourage natural flora and fauna, which then supports an array of local wildlife. We regularly see red deer, roe deer, badgers, hares, field mice, squirrels, and a multitude of bird species on the farm. We work with government schemes to improve our landscape for wildlife by providing a healthy habitat for them. Dry stone walls and hedges are great wildlife corridors and also provide shelter for small mammals. Our woodland is home to many rare fungi and lichens. Rotational and planned grazing allows us to make sure flowers get a chance to bloom and seed, and ground nesting birds have long grasslands for shelter and protection from predators.

Take a look around

Explore Hollows Farm

Glamping Pods

Our two cosy woodland glamping pods are an idyllic base for exploring the Borrowdale valley and beyond. Offering a tranquil retreat overlooking Grange Fell.

Camping

Our seasonal campsite, open from Easter - October each year, is the perfect place to plan a budget friendly staycation. Our camping fields have fantastic views of Castle Crag, and are situated by the side of the river Derwent, a scenic wild swim spot.

Holiday Cottage

The Cottage at Hollows Farm is a cute and cosy cottage situated in the middle of our farm yard, a great retreat for a couple or close friends wanting to experience Lake District farm life.