Fertile ground: five bucolic homes ripe for self-sufficiency

Very few houses can lay claim to cohabitating with a waddling army of white Aylesbury ducks, but Udimore isn’t like other homes. It was immaculately renovated by Genevieve Harris, otherwise known as Mrs Trufflepig, whose romantically rural way of life as shared through her Instagram page has captured the hearts of many. A home that lends itself particularly well to all manner of domestic ritual (think front and back kitchen), Udimore strikes that finely-tuned balance of at once harking to an bygone, slower pace of life while being perfectly equipped for the needs of the modern day. And what’s more, the house is ripe with homesteading possibility; already encompassed within its spacious, verdant grounds is an orchard that brims with apple, pear, quince and fig trees – imagine all the homemade jams and chutneys you could fill its spacious pantry with.

We’ve written about this home in greater depth here.

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 As its name suggests, the Old Bakehouse has homemade produce baked into (ahem) its very fibres. Grade II-listed, it was built in the early 18th century and supplied bread to the surrounding inhabitants. The house has hung up its large-scale baking shoes, sure, but the homely kitchen – a riotous pairing of green shaker-style cabinetry with a post box-red Aga – is still well-equipped for all-day baking and making. This thinking extends outside too, where a walled garden is stocked with thriving herb beds. Plenty of space extends beyond too, for those especially struck with horticultural inspiration.

We have written about life at the Old Bakehouse in greater depth here.

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In a particularly picture-pretty pocket of the New Forest National Park lies this expansive 17th-century farmhouse. A constellation of agricultural buildings are dotted about its 16 acres of grounds, bringing with them an additional 2,800 sq ft of space and oodles of potential. (A timber-clad bothy, currently used as a studio, is a particularly enticing retreat for older children and peace-seeking adults alike.) Near unbroken views of tree-filled vistas surround the house, rooting it firmly within its site and providing decidedly restorative views from within. Particularly intriguing for those who are self-sufficient-curious is a secret vegetable garden, where raised beds are chock-full of flowers, herbs and vegetables; there is also a greenhouse on one side, as well as an orchard that brims with apples, quinces and plums.

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Ever find yourself with a craving for wild truffles? Lower Rudloe Farm has you sorted. Its 17 acres of grounds – which include orchard, paddocks, woodland and a host of ancillary accommodations, barn spaces and even an informal pub – provide plenty of homegrown produce, both intended and happenstance. A ground-to-table approach to dining is here possible, with plenty of veg patches and even a pizza oven to satiate any takeaway cravings. And what’s more, the house was designed with sustainability in mind; heating is provided by a biomass boiler, while solar panels contribute to the electricity supply. No pesticides are used on the land and the owners have even embarked on a rewilding mission that has reintroduced native plants, providing better nutrition for livestock and homes for bees and butterflies.

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Cottagecore meets urban living in this utterly delightful inner-city home, located in a particularly green part of north London which, when it was built in 1822, was still largely pastoral. Its name nods to this history, originating from the unencumbered field views that once surrounded the house. While somewhat changed, there is still a particularly scenic outlook that belies the home’s proximity to central London. A generous rear garden unfolds at the rear, with hazel hurdles that create a series of interlinked yet distinct outdoor rooms. The very rear space is dedicated to all things delectable, with a productive apple tree, well-conceived vegetable beds and dwarf fruit trees dotted among tumps of rainbow chard and rhubarb. For those seeking a homestead-adjacent way of living, but with reasons to remain in the capital, this is a fittingly named prospect indeed.

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