Guest Author - Nicola Jane Soen

If you have a couple of hours to spare; where you can have a snack and cup of tea, Marsh farm is the place to visit. Situated in Monkton, in sleepy Kent, Marsh Farm is a lovely country drive.

Marsh Farm was set up originally as an environmentally friendly farm and a place where people could be encouraged to think and learn how to start an enviro-safe environment for England’s’ plants and animals. They have classes to help people learn how to turn their gardens, no matter how small into enviro- safe havens for our wild life. This is also open to schools and individuals who want to learn more too.

There is part of the shop dedicated to helping gardeners achieve their dream gardens, with some excellent books to peruse through, while enjoying a cuppa.

One of the main attractions is their chickens, ducks and geese. From all parts of the world, from the English Cock Rooster, used in medieval times as a fighting cockerel; to chickens from Eastern countries, that looks fluffy like poodles! I had never even known such chickens existed till I visited the Farm, with my husband, son and friend. We were amazed.

There are also goats, who are shy and a lovely Shetland pony who certainly is not! He loved us stroking his head, and poked his head out for more attention! There was also a pig, with big tusks who grunts to say hi! He looks very old, and is a real sight to see! The ferrets are really cute as well and the kids love them. Also there is a lovely dog, who loves the attention, as normally visitors forget him for the pony!

Some of the animals are rescued, and you can see how they must have been treated before they got to Marsh Farm. It is nice to know they now have a good and caring home.

Another attraction is the large pond area, with water voles, dragon flies, wild fowl and lots of fish from carp to goldfish. The fish swim right up to the edge too. The pond has a magnificent display of water lilies, both pink and white and some lovely rushes, bull rushes, I thought.

Originally the Farm was a dairy farm, and had allsorts of animals and wilderness when the family took it over. The place was in a much neglected state. The Farm was hand cleared from the overgrown wild tangle the owners found it in. Lots of loving hard work has gone in, and it still has lots to go. This is a small family run affair which makes its progress even more amazing. And what has been so far achieved is astounding.

There are beautiful shrubs and flowers, with places to sit and picnic, all sorts of different bits of gardens to see. The gardens keep the family busy 24 hours a day, let alone the care of the animals and teashop!

There is also an enchanted children’s walk, that will have very young children thrilled, and hiding in a bush is a monster that will have the older ones thrilled too! Thankfully the scary bit is out of the way a bit, so hopefully young ones will not see it! It looked a little dishevelled, but my boys thoroughly enjoyed it! My son wanted to push the Buzz button and see what happened.
The soft toys are changed every year, so there will always be something new to see! They also liked the snow white and dwarf figures.

Then sit and enjoy a drink and snack. The family are really helpful and friendly. There is also the opportunity to buy some of the plants they have, and for very reasonable prices (especially the Water lilies). As well as that they sell hand crafted items including home made chutneys’ and jam.

The only criticism I had was that the walk through shop was a bit musty and needed a clean. But there is so much going on for these people and the vision that they are attaining; that it is understandable things need a bit of tweaking; let alone the fact they are a family who do it all by hand on their own! In their own words they are amateurs, but they are trying to make a real difference to England and from my perspective, I thought they did.

Find them at Marsh Farm: Gore Street, Monkton, Kent, CT12 4LL
Tel 01843 822318

(They are on the Thanet end of the B2406 near a wonderfully named pub, typically English; The Dog and Duck!)