Tom and Victoria became custodians of Old Brook Farm in the summer of 2023, after being completely captivated by the beauty and wildness of this part of Devon. Having purchased the property, in partnership with a supportive family, their first challenge was to provide critical care and attention to the heritage-listed buildings. They could then focus on restoring the land and habitats for native wildlife. 

 

Promoting biodiversity and honouring traditional country crafts that have been practised in the region for millennia, the family employed hedgelayers and dry stone wallers to transform the boundaries and ancient driftways, and more land and waterway management is in the planning. 

 

Nestled in the Mardle Valley, on the southern edge of Dartmoor, the idyllic Old Brook Farm is a short walk, or trot, to the wilds of the moor, with its huge horizons. Breathtakingly beautiful on a clear day, the seemingly never-ending bucolic views give a sense of exhilaration and liberation. Another day, shrouded in fog, the moor is moody and atmospheric, an eerie setting that has inspired so many novelists and filmmakers. 

 

Tom and Victoria welcomed their first guests in 2024. They take immense pleasure in sharing their love of this location and now offer all sorts of ways to enjoy it, from luxury farm stays to wild camping. Bring your horse for a holiday, your dog for the ultimate weekend of walkies or, keen birders, perhaps just your binoculars. Pitch your tent in seclusion by the river and start your day with a wild swim and barbequed breakfast. 

 

Old Brook Farm serves as a wonderful backdrop for photo shoots and filming, and welcomes creative activities and traditional rural arts. 

 

Whatever the reason for your visit, it is guaranteed to be unforgettable.

 

“I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor... And, with two-and-a-half weeks of extensive coverage of landscapes and skies, I hardly scratched the surface of the visual opportunities that were offered to me."

~ Steven Spielberg