Would you be interested in a slower, longer, chatty farm tour with Helen, and something to eat and drink on the way round? Families very welcome, we assure you.
For those of you of a curious mind—we’re planning two or three proper farm walks, on different parts of the farm, some tastings or picnics along the way, and some proper chatter about what we do, why and how we do it.
These could be upto 3-4 hours in length, plenty of sitting down available, covering a lot of ground (physically and metaphorically), to be held in week beginning August 24, just before the bank holiday weekend. Each one led by Helen. One or two will involve picnics from our lovely chefs; another will involve tastings of organic food and wine, all being well.
Additionally, if you have children who aren’t too keen on walking, learning about climate change/soil types and abundant wildlife and productive farming, we have secured the services of nationally renowned child play expert Rachel Hobbs who will take care of your children, and engage and enthral them for a few hours.
We would be delighted if 30 or so people per day would be interested in joining us on this different style of day out, a complete contrast to the theme park and playspace family ordeal. If it tickles your fancy, put it on your memory stick and look out for further details—on here, on our pub facebook page and on the pub blackboards—and of course via email. More details to emerge over the next fortnight, and, I would add, this place and HB herself can be pretty inspiring. Each walk will cover different parts of the farm and the different activities happening there.
An expression of interest to us at royaloak@helenbrowningorganics.co.uk would be most useful!
By the way, The Soil Association, of which Helen is chief executive, is currently celebrating 80 years of trying to ensure you all eat better food from a safer and more beautiful countryside (among other aims!) and this is the start of a little Eastbrook way of celebrating it.
Your own bespoke safari?
If the above doesn’t appeal, or you have less time, book a bespoke safari in our big red scruffy Land Rover, almost any time we have the right guides available. One of us will show you all the interesting bits, and answer your questions. We’ll drive a bit, walk a bit, stop a bit. Usually two hours, but we can always extend if you want a picnic on the way, somewhere suitable.
Eat in the garden here
For those of you who can’t take too long over a visit, some food and drink in our pub garden might remind you how lovely we can make places when we set about it the right way. Several customers have said we should open HB”s Royal Oak garden into the National Garden Scheme visitor days. I oversee and pay the two amazing people, Sushi and Becky, who have turned our garden, using wholly organic, no dig techniques, from a village rubbish tip into a daily spectacular blaze of everything—and every day, especially at this time of year, as I arrive here, I am thrilled with the view in front of me. Come and enjoy something simple and lovely one day. Occasionally we have suitable live music in the garden—the next date is July 18, 1.30pm, gently humorous swing from The Bakelite Boys.
