ABOUT

Rockells Farm is a family run arable farm with free-range laying hens. The Farm offers lake view self-catering accommodation and a coarse fishing lake.

The Farm involves 3 generations of the Westerhuis family. Run by Popko and Sarah, grandparents Evert and Tineke are still fully involved and their granddaughters currently work part-time. Ella works on the arable side of farm, runs The Egg Shed vending machine and website. Rebecca, a chartered surveyor, provides management advice and runs a small number of storage containers. The hens are looked after by Tom who is affectionately known locally as the ‘Egg Man’. Tom manages the free-range units and also oversees local egg deliveries.

If you would like to buy fresh free range eggs we have an onsite egg vending machine which is situated near the parking for the fishing lakes. We also supply other local produce such as local apple juice and honey.

The main crops are cereals, including wheat and barley. Most of the harvest is used in farm-milled feed for the hens. Surplus crops are sold locally including Baileys Horse Feed and Allinson’s Flour Mill in Bishops Stortford. The majority of the free-range eggs are sent to Bedford where they are graded and packed by Bird Bros ltd and then supplied to local supermarkets. There is also strong demand from private customers, pubs and local farm shops. Chicken manure is used as fertilizer for the crops therefore reducing the need for artificial chemicals on the farm.

Rockells Farm was a previous winner of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Groups Conservation Award and has been managed to maximise environmental benefits for wildlife for over 30 years. Buffer strips around the fields protect the hedgerows and areas are planted to provide wild bird food and pollen and nectar mixes for insects. There are numerous opportunities to view Lapwings, Skylarks, English Partridges and numerous song birds as well as birds of prey including Barn Owls, Kestrels, Red Kites and Buzzards.

Roof and ground mount solar panels contribute considerably to the power demands of the farm. The self-catering accommodation is heated by a ground source heat pump.

The 3-acre fishing lake provides coarse fishing for guests and members with day tickets.