A Brief History of Hempstead Hall and the Farm
A place in history
Hempstead Hall farm is run as a family partnership by the Mack family and is currently under the stewardship of William Mack. The farm is steeped in history, with many historical finds.
We have impressive farm buildings dating from the 1700’s and even a sizable crater in one of our operational fields, a scar left by a German bomb that was dropped during World War II. The Mack Family have lived here and farmed the land since the 1930’s, eventually purchasing Hempstead Hall and the farm a short time later.
The picture on the right was taken in 1937. At this time Hempstead Hall was already being used as a bed and breakfast, managed by William’s Grandmother.
Investment in a growing business
At the time the farm was purchased it was in a very poor state, as was UK agriculture. Henry Mack, William’s late father, worked hard and with great pride to invest and improve the farm.
He succeeded. Hempstead Hall farm grew to become a robust business based on a mixed system of arable crops combined with beef and dairy herds.
Henry Mack is here pictured, on the far left, with his brothers and sisters.
A change of direction
In the mid 1960’s the decision was made to move away from livestock. A new business strategy concentrated on utilising the light North Norfolk soils by growing malting barley. The move was a profitable one, and this strategy has served the Mack family well up to the present day.
Mindful of our environment
The Mack family have long taken seriously their role in environmental conservation and actively work to make arrangements that support our wildlife. This is evident by the many species of bird that can now be found on the farm. William was presented with a wildlife conservation award in 1988 by John MacGregor, who was then the agricultural minister, in recognition of the work.
This tradition of farmland conservation continues with the farm currently part of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme with grasslands, wild bird seed mixes, pollen and nectar mixes and many bird and bat boxes all contributing to flourishing wildlife numbers on the farm.
Efforts were again noted and praised in 2018 when Hempstead Hall farm came runner up in the Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Conservation Award; a prize to celebrate farmers who have made an outstanding contribution to nature.
If you would like to know more of the history of Hempstead Hall Farm, you can visit the website of our local historian and friend, Jonathan Neville.
A developing story
Life at Hempstead Hall is a developing story of a family, a home, a farm and the relationship it has with the environment and wildlife. We invite you to explore our farm and enjoy your time here.
Try to spot the resident deer population, the buzzards and red kites riding the thermals, the numerous brown hares playing in the fields and the many species of birds that make their home here, including lapwings, linnets, skylarks and corn buntings. We look forward to sharing this story with you.
