The Briars comprises a thicket of brambles and woody scrub that has grown on the old scree above the quarry. Home to nesting birds and small mammals such as dormice, feeding on nectar and fruit, and shrews, which feed on the insects. Invertebrates such as bees, spiders, ants, wasps, midges and butterflies are found here too.
This area of scrub also provides protection for young tree saplings from grazing mammals. This, in turn, allows them to mature into large trees.
Nestled behind the farmhouse is a small field that is used to house the free-range poultry; these are mainly comprised of rescued ex-battery hens.
It is Farmer Henry’s job to shut the chicken coups at night in order to keep the hens safe. The happy hens produce lots of delicious eggs for Farmer Henry and his wife, Megan.
Nursery Field is the nearest and smallest field to the farmhouse, which is sheltered by the barns and the thick, high hedges. The mummy cows and sheep, along with their babies, are kept here to protect them from bad weather and predators.
Farmer Henry can also keep a close eye on them. In the centre of the field is the ‘Great Oak’, which provides shelter in the winter and much-needed shade in the summer.
Boggy Bottom is a flat area of land, situated along the quarry stream. It stays wet all year and is covered in a mixture of sedges, rushes and grasses such as fescue. Spots of colour give away the wildflowers which like damp soil, such as yellow flag iris, ragged robin and purple loosestrife.
These plants create a home for many invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.
Farmer Henry’s great-great grandmother, Pippa, planted this orchard of fruit trees many years ago.
The orchard consists predominantly of apple trees, with some pear, cherry and plum trees too. These supply the family with juicy fresh fruit in the autumn. Perfect for making fruit pies, jams and chutneys!
Quarry Pond is a large man-made hole located next to The Briars. It was dug hundreds of years ago to mine stone, which was used for the construction of the farmhouse and its barns.
The quarry has since filled with water, creating a pond inundated with wildlife. In the middle of the pond is a small rocky island, which is frequented by nesting water fowl.
Quarry Stream is a small stream, which meanders down from the old quarry, through Great Oak Farm and then continues further down the valley.
This flowing, aquatic habitat is home to the native white-clawed crayfish, dragonflies, stoneflies and the occasional young salmon. If you’re lucky you may spot an otter!
Meadow Hill is a field situated at the top of the farm, above the quarry, which used to be mown for hay in the summer. Each year it is abundant with wild flowers such as cornflower, ox-eye daisy, knapweed and pignut.
These flowers attract a large variety of insects, which include bees, butterflies, hoverflies and ladybirds.
Great Oak Farm is a series of children’s books based in a fictional landscape. The series focusses on some of the species that currently receive legislative protection, and includes those which are not as well publicised in children’s literature.
