Our Story

The story of Abbey Farm, The Fold, and our attempt to give this rare and beautiful place a sustainable future.

Arriving at Abbey Farm

We arrived at Abbey Farm in 2021 after a complex twelve-month process to secure the site from potential development. The farm had been in the same family ownership for almost 200 years, originally as a large arable farm. In the 1980s, the productive land was sold, leaving 39 acres around the original farmhouse and agricultural buildings.

Over the years, the buildings became increasingly neglected. It is hard to believe now that the buildings which are now The Fold could barely be seen amidst the thick undergrowth.

The old farm buildings before restoration

A New Future for an Old Place

Inspired by the fact that Michael had grown up in the village, like many generations of his family before him, we felt compelled to create a new and sustainable future for these rare ancient meadows and natural woodlands, helping to secure their long-term future.

Working with the village community, we first sought to create public ownership to outlying areas of the farm. These are now managed by the Histon and Impington Green Spaces charity and supported by local residents. The remaining 24 acres form what is now know as the Abbey Farm Estate, including The Fold.

Working with the local community to protect green space

Our Vision

From the outset, our vision has been to accomplish four main things:

Creating The Fold is aimed at tackling the final two: restoring and re-purposing the historic buildings, while helping to generate the income needed to care for the estate long into the future.

Designing The Fold

Working with local architect Hugh Craft of Craft Atelier, we developed a design that fully respected the past while embracing modern, sustainable and energy-efficient building techniques.

The planning approval process took around 18 months and, in the end, came with 26 conditions that we needed to meet to ensure all regulations and requirements were satisfied. A daunting task was then to turn this into an operational plan and budget, but in summer 2022 this was complete and building works finally commenced.

Restoring the Buildings

The first buildings to be completed were the conversions of the threshing barn and tractor shed, which now form two homes for our respective sets of parents.

Following that, we set to work on renovating and partly rebuilding the stable block around the courtyard that is now The Fold. We have been very hands-on throughout the build, managing the process, curating materials and creating the interiors alongside Michael’s sister, Susan.

It has been relentless and punishing work over an extended period, but finally, in May 2026, all was complete and we hosted our first guests.

The Fold, completed after years of restoration

Caring for the Land

Work continues on the grounds, which were similarly neglected. Our approach is to preserve the natural parkland and meadow setting rather than over-manage it.

Over 99% of ancient meadows in the UK have been lost, so it feels a huge responsibility to ensure the ones at Abbey Farm continue long into the future.

We also have an unusually healthy elm woodland surrounding the dip which formed an old gravel pit. This woodland is also home to a large and very active badger sett.

The elm woodland

Thank You

We feel so fortunate to be able to call this place our home and to share it with so many wild birds and animals.

By staying here, you as our guests are making a huge contribution by supporting our project to retain and enhance this rather magical place.

Thank you.

Sue and Michael