Broad Oak Farm, Warbuton

Broad Oak farm covers 83 acres (33.8 hectares) of land which is part of the National Trust Dunham Massey Estate. Stephen Booth is the third generation of his family to tenant this farm, and the fifth generation to farm on the estate formerly owned by the late Lord Stamford.

Broadoak is a mixed livestock and arable farm. The arable crops; potatoes, peas, spring barley, and wheat are grown on a 4 year rotation. (The farm also operates as a potato merchant supplying supplies quality frying potatoes to chip shops throughout Manchester next time you’re in your local chippy try asking where they get their potatoes from!).

As part of the countryside stewardship scheme the farm is undergoing an extensive conservation programme including restoring hedges and ponds, creating new grassland and replanting the orchard with traditional varieties of fruit trees. Extensive work has been carried out with the RSPB with the aim of encouraging birds to the farm.

2 small grassland meadows are home to “The Chapel Herd” of Pedigree Gloucester Old Spot, Berkshire, and British Saddleback pigs, Southdown sheep and Galloway cattle. These “traditional British” pigs were introduced to the farm by Stephen Booth in 1997 as part of a continued diversification programme.

The British Saddleback breed dates back to 1967 and is the amalgamation of the Essex and Wessex Saddleback. It is a large lop-eared pig with a white band across the saddle and around the legs and shoulders and may have white hind feet and tail tip. Pedigree numbers declined sharply in the latter part of the twentieth century when the industry moved to intensive production methods to the extent that these traditional British breeds are now on the endangered lists held by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

In 2006 Broad Oak Farm entered the Cheshire Farms Competition for the first time and were delighted to take 2nd place in the “Farming and Wildlife” category.

In the Great British Menu series II the meat for Marcus Wareing’s main course of slowly braised belly and roasted loin chop of pork was supplied by Broad Oak Farm.

If you would like to try Stephen’s award winner pork and bacon for yourself visit another award winner - Howarths Butchers at 304 Flixton Road, Flixton, Manchester M41 5DP. It might not always be in stock so be sure to ring first 0161 748 0199, www.pjhowarthbutcher.com  Free delivery service within a 10 mile radius - conditions apply.

Alternatively if you like to eat out Broad Oak supply yet another award winning venue, Isinglass Restaurant in nearby Urmston.

Address: Broad Oak Farm, Chapel Lane, Warburton. WA13 9TY
Website: www.chapelsaddlebacks.co.uk