its own micro-dairy, which generates raw milks, cream, butter and yogurts for the House. The milk from its 38 Guernsey cows is creating cheese with local cheesemaker Village Maid and there are 59 Suffolk as well as Hampshire and Southdown sheep. In terms of pigs, there are also 35 British saddlebacks – the closest match to the original Heckfield pig mentioned in the Spectator in 1850 bred by Lord Eversley – which supply the manor house and restaurants (called Marle and open-fired Hearth). They help control the grass and bring fertility to the soil, a vital part of the biodynamic closed circle. The farm also has two flocks of 400 free-range Hyline chickens roaming the farm and providing eggs for the Kitchens, while 20 beehives buzz around the 500-strong orchard, where the blossoms of apple, pear, greengages, damsons, cherries, medlars and more help them create delicious honeycomb for the table. Seven new glasshouses each set to different temperatures propagate everything that goes into the cut garden, nurturing lettuces, soft fruits, brassicas, squash and a variety of species of tomatoes, as well as providing for year-round fresh flowers including narcissi, tulips, ranunculi, roses, delphiniums, grasses, berries, and various edible blossoms surrounded by a living hedge of hawthorns, mulberries and blackberries. Everything grown on the farm forms the basis of the root-to-plate feasts served the table and the floral arrangements throughout the Estate. The General Manager is Kevin Brooke and Skye Gyngell is the Culinary Director. References External links Heckfield Place Country houses in Hampshire Grade II listed buildings in Hampshire