School and other group visits      

We now welcome fifty school and adult groups to the mill and smallholding each year. These visits are free and are planned to suit the individual needs of the group. The Educational Access requirements are that the group size is at least six and that the visit is for at least two hours.

For teachers bringing a school group we have prepared a Teachers' Farm Information Pack which is available free to all schools making a visit. This pack contains important information for teachers planning a visit: site details, an ideas bank with related worksheets, and health and safety considerations.

A brief outline of what we offer.

The Bridge Mill is a smallholding of 16 acres set in the valley of the upper Tamar in North Devon.  It is farmed along traditional lines without use of chemicals.  Among the points of interest are:

A water mill - built in the nineteenth century, still containing some of the original machinery.  There has been a mill on this site since the Domesday survey of 1086 and some of this previous history has been recorded. The mill is being restored to partial working order with a waterwheel now turning.

Range of traditional farm buildings - Victorian like the mill and built in stone with slate roofs.  The Dutch hay barn with adjustable-height roof has been restored to working order.

Tame livestock – very friendly sheep and lambs, pigs, hens, ducks and  ducklings.

Lake and riverside conservation area - There are 600 yards of frontage to the river Tamar, three very different ponds and an area of Culm grassland, which combine to attract breeding birds, amphibians and dragonflies, plus regular visits from kingfisher, heron and otter. Some schools like to make a study of the water habitats and life cycles so come prepared with wellies! The site has now been designated a County Wildlife Site and a Key Devon Dragonfly site.

Circular walk - around the smallholding, taking in the lovely views plus points of interest such as hedge-laying, positive management for wildlife, grassland management, organic/sustainable farming etc.With school groups,younger children may want to go on a "Bear Hunt" or perhaps collect items on a scavenger list. In the meadow, the focus might be on habitats and life cycles. We have a new pond dipping area with all the equipment provided.

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The organic gardens – where vegetables are grown as well as many herbs and cottage plants. Dye plants are also grown and used to colour the white fleeces from our sheep. Adult groups may like to visit Rosie's cottage nursery to browse the plants for sale and there are free plants for visiting schools to take back for the school’s environmental area.

Natural dyeing, spinning and felt making - can all be seen in Rosie’s workroom, a useful space if you are unlucky with the weather!

The Bridge Mill is open all year. For a guide as to what to see and when throughout the year, click this link When to Visit

Facilities - There are grassed areas for picnics on fine days, or a dry stable with hay-bale seating for wet weather lunches.  If it is very hot then we can find a shady picnic place. There is parking space on site for cars or minibus, or nearby off the public road for coaches.  New toilet and hand-washing facilities were completed in September 2009 and cater for wheelchair users. Nappy changing facilities are being installed at present.

The owners, Alan and Rosie Beat, moved here from Bedfordshire in 1987 with their two young children as a deliberate change of lifestyle.  Previously Alan was a Chartered Engineer while Rosie taught at a small village primary school.  They now try to live in a sustainable and self-reliant way, producing much of their own food without chemical inputs, writing regularly for “Country Smallholding” magazine and presenting talks and courses on a range of craft and smallholding subjects. Alan published his first book “A start in smallholding” in 2004. They have been hosting school visits to the Bridge Mill since 1988.

Visits to the Bridge Mill are offered free of charge under the Countryside Stewardship Educational Access scheme. Please contact Rosie Beat for further details or to make a booking on 01288 381341 or