Educational Visits for 2012

We are now taking bookings for free visits for 2012 - for any group of any age - school, playgroup, nursery, after school club, WI, garden clubs etc. Please ring us if you are interested. Booking is essential and details can be found on the left at the top - the "Free Visits" link.

Where we are and what we do!                    

The Bridge Mill is situated on the river Tamar in the small village of Bridgerule near Holsworthy in North Devon.

Free visits are offered all year to schools and other youth and adult groups under the Countryside Stewardship Educational Access scheme, administered by Natural England. Visits are planned to suit the individual needs of the group. A Farm Information Pack is available free of charge to schools, and contains important information for teachers including site details, an ideas bank with related worksheets, and health and safety considerations. Alan and Rosie have been hosting school visits to the Bridge Mill since 1988. For more information and to book a visit why not ring Rosie on 01288 381341.

About the mill and smallholding

The mill site is listed in the Domesday survey of 1086, while the present building dates from around 1875. This building and its surviving machinery are being sympathetically restored to partial working order, with a new waterwheel now turning. It is open to the public on National Mills Day ( Sunday 13th May 2012) and at other times during the year; Open Farm Sunday (17th June 2012) for LEAF (Linking Education And Farming) and Bridgerule Open Gardens (date to be arranged) to raise funds for the Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulance.In 2011, a magnificent total of £2,954 was raised.

The smallholding of 16 acres is managed along organic lines with positive management for wildlife. It has a range of traditional farm buildings; tame livestock including sheep, pigs, hens and ducks; 600 yards of frontage to the river Tamar; three very different ponds; an area of Culm grassland; organic gardens growing fruit, vegetables, dyeplants and a range of cottage garden plants; and circular walks offering lovely views around the points of interest. The Bridge Mill has been designated as a County Wildlife Site as well as a key Devon dragonfly site.

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.

Rosie runs a small plant nursery selling cottage garden and dye plants and also runs natural dye workshops for the Yarner Trust and for schools throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Alan published his first book “A start in smallholding” in 2004.

HOW TO FIND THE BRIDGE MILL

The Bridge Mill is in Bridgerule, Devon, a small village on the River Tamar between Holsworthy and Bude. The post code is EX22 7EL.

From Holsworthy take the road to Bude (A 3072).  You will pass Rydon Park, then the Golf Club on the left. After the golf club there are a couple of bends in the road before you reach a left turn signed to Bridgerule. Turn left here and drive for three miles. As you enter the village of Bridgerule, you will pass the church on your right. Drive down the hill (take care as the road is very narrow). The mill is on the right at the bottom of the hill opposite “Short and Abbott” agricultural engineers.

From Bude Take the A3072 to Holsworthy. Turn right at Red Post (B3254) Take the second left turn to Bridgerule village. Drive past The Bridge Inn, over the river bridge then immediately left by the chapel. The Bridge Mill is the second property on your left.        

More (Old) Frog News!

We're accredited!

On 2nd December 2010 we received notification that we had been awarded the "Learning Outside the Classroom" quality badge

"The Bridge Mill in Bridgerule has shown itself to be at the top of the class for educational visits by being awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. Awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the LOtC Quality badge combines for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside the classroom experiences.Rosie said “Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge is a real coup for us here as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to welcoming even more children and young people from the local area to our farm and mill".

Black Galleon Photoshoot       

Black Galleon are an original electro-acoustic duo from North Cornwall, blending vocal harmonies with dynamic instrumentation such as 6 string and 12 string guitars, mandolin and harmonica. Back in the summer, they came to the Bridge Mill to have photos taken for their new publicity material.Visit their website to find out more and to listen to their music       www.blackgalleon.synthasite.com

On 23rd September 2009, the new washroom facilities were opened by Mrs Penny Simpson and her reception class from Stratton Primary School, our 50th Educational Access visit of the year.

    Read the press release here.

The new washroom comprises of three toilet cubicles, three hand wash basins with hot and cold water, and a shower. The facilities are also suitable for visitors with disabilities including those in wheelchairs.

Alan and Rosie were highly commended in the Future of Farming Awards 2008, South West region for "Exemplary management of wildlife, landscape and access"

 Read the details here