The Countryside Regeneration Trust has begun work on making Pierrepont Farm in Frensham more accessible to all, after receiving a £70,000 grant from Surrey Hills National Landscape.

In collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, the trust is ensuring that the improvements cater to the needs of visitors with a wide range of abilities.

This partnership aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of the farm and its surroundings.

Key upgrades will be made to the historic carriage track, transforming it into an accessible pathway that leads to a picnic area offering views of the parkland and livestock.

Interpretative signs, including braille for visually impaired visitors, will be installed, along with two clearly marked disabled parking bays.

In addition, the Old Dairy Courtyard will see improvements to toilet access, ensuring it is fully accessible.

Helena Darragh, Head of Conservation at CRT, emphasised the importance of the project, noting that these changes are essential for making Pierrepont Farm suitable for a broader range of visitors.

"The walk down the old carriage track is absolutely beautiful, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to experience it,” she said.

"Pierrepont Farm is home to a stunning woodland area, which is particularly special during the spring when bluebells blanket the ground, and in the autumn, when fungi grow at the edge of the path and on tree trunks.

“Visitors can also enjoy the sounds of robins singing and great spotted woodpeckers tapping on tree bark.”

Rob Fairbanks, director of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, said."We are thrilled to support Pierrepont Farm to make this beautiful site more accessible to visitors who may face barriers to enjoying the countryside.

“Access to nature is vital for our mental and physical well-being, and the improvements at this site will provide an outstanding experience for everyone, while still safeguarding the natural environment.

“Supporting organisations like the Countryside Regeneration Trust is central to our mission, and this collaboration, alongside the invaluable input from the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and RNIB, has resulted in an exceptional project."

The improvements at Pierrepont Farm are scheduled to be completed by the end of February 2025, just in time for the arrival of spring, when visitors can enjoy the fully accessible routes and facilities.

Pierrepont Farm is a 200-acre regenerative dairy farm, which has become a popular destination for walkers and cyclists exploring the local footpaths.

Its facilities include the Old Dairy, which is home to a variety of artisan businesses selling products including cheeses, artworks, fudge, jewellery, and furniture. The farm is also renovating the Grade II-listed Grain Barn, which will offer five commercial units for rent from this summer.

In 2006, the farm was gifted to the charitable trust by benefactor Jo Reader.

To learn more about the project or the work of the CRT, visit the CRT website at www.thecrt.co.uk.