You may have heard that Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent has been put up for sale. A number of independent businesses conduct operations from the farm including Brogdale Collections, home to the UK’s National Fruit Collection, one of the world’s most comprehensive collections with over 3000 varieties of apples, pears, cherries, plums and other fruits. Other businesses include the Tiddly Pomme farm shop, The Courtyard Cafe and specialist nursery, Grow.
Brogdale Collections is the independent charity providing public access to the National Fruit Collection’s orchards, which otherwise would not be available. It is the only international collection regularly open to the public.
Brogdale Collections provides a wide range of education programs, events and festivals. As such, Brogdale Farm has become a well-loved attraction for families throughout Kent, and across the country as well as from overseas. It has also ensured that Brogdale is a not only a key asset in the area, but also an important part of the community, including a thriving schools program with hundreds of students attending each year.
To achieve this, as an independent Charity, Brogdale Collections has worked closely with many people, organisations and other bodies developing constructive and beneficial partnerships. These include a strong relationship with the current owners of Brogdale Farm on which the National Fruit Collection is located, who have been very helpful and supportive over many years.
So what does the sale mean for Brogdale Collections?
The National Fruit Collection is a long term tennant at Brogdale Farm and has long term plans to continue to operate as usual. Brogdale Collections confidently believes that this would continue over the years to come, whoever the new owners are, and looks forward to even more success in the future: Sharing, enjoying and understanding the value and importance of the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm.
Brogdale Collections has ambitious plans to build on its success:
• Expanding our “Space Garden”
• New festivals and events
• Orchards and gardens
• A new visitor, education and information centre
• Other exciting ideas, all of which will add significantly to the value and importance of Brogdale Farm.
We look forward to working with the new owners and the developments that this might bring.
