There are certain places that have been around for so long that they seem as though they’re just part of the furniture of the location in which they are located. One such example for residents of Surrey is Elm Nursery Farm, which has been in place for more than 40 years and visited by countless thousands of people.
Sadly, it looks as though the chance to visit it is slipping away for future generations, thanks to the fact that the owner of the farm has decided to retire in September. It means that if you’d like to get there before that happens, you’ve only got a matter of weeks to be able to do so.
What Is Elm Nursery Farm?
Located on the outskirts of Guildford, coming almost directly between the town and nearby Woking, Elm Nursery has been in situ for 42 years. Those travelling to the farm in Sutton Green have been greeted by the same family during that time, with Rita, Emma, Katie and Nan all doing what they can in order to adapt to the times. During that period, though, they have also worked to maintain their strong values, which is quite an impressive accomplishment given the reason the entire thing started was because the mum of the family, Rita, wanted a bigger back garden.
She bought a small farm shop where the family grew and sold its own produce. Sadly, the trade was lost virtually overnight when a large chain supermarket opened in Burpham, meaning that a need to diversify came about. Rita found out how to grow plants, which is the point at which the nursery came into being. A local farmer named Joe then needed a retail outlet for the meat that he grew, giving the chance to resurrect the farm shop. Ever since, the stock on offer has been varied, whilst a children’s farm also opened to give young children the chance to spend time with the animals.
Why It’s Closing Down
The owners of Elm Nursery took to Facebook in order to let the local area know that it would be closing down at the end of the summer. The last day in which people will be able to get along and enjoy what’s on offer will be Friday the fifth of September. Those that have been to the farm consider the location to be ‘lovely’, whilst anyone with children knows that it’s a great place to be able to take them to introduce them to the world of farming and the manner in which animals are an important part of our ecosystem. Those that haven’t been are being encouraged to get along now.
Those that are responsible for the running of the farm and nursery are retiring, although they have no intention of taking an early retirement before that September the fifth cut-off date. Instead, the hope is that people will be able to get along to see them ‘one last time’ before the venue shuts its doors for good. Whilst the locals of Guildford and Woking might wish that the venue could stay open forever, given the manner in which it has become something of a local institution, that just isn’t possible as the owners get older and want to do what they can to enjoy the twilight of their lives.
What Kids Can Do at the Farm
The Children’s Farm is a great place to get along to if you want your little ones to enjoy some time with farm animals, learning about their place in the world. There is a decent range of animals on offer there, including the likes of Shetland ponies, alpacas, ducks and goats. On top of those slightly more rare offerings, there is also the collection of more commonly seen animals, such as pigs, chickens and rabbits, as well as a selection of guinea pigs. Those that have been along believe that the animals are amongst the happiest looking that they’ve ever seen, enjoying their lives on the farm.
You can get along at any point of the morning or afternoon, with a sandpit and play area also on offer. For the adults, there is a seating area that they can head into, plus some outdoor benches. It means that there is plenty for young people to be entertained by, plus the Elm Farm Café, which is a lovely little venue that is independently run. There, you can get yourself a homemade lunch, cake and coffee, plus some light bites that are also on offer. The ‘Little Farmer’s Lunch Box’ is another popular thing for visitors to pick up whilst they’re in the venue.
More Than Just a Farm
The family behind the venue has worked hard to ensure that all of the things that Rita was part of when she first aimed to get her bigger garden have been on offer ever since. It means that it’s a great place to get along to if you’d like to buy some new plants for your own garden, for example. Whilst the farm is the undoubted star of the show, the friendly and knowledgeable staff are what a lot of people remember the most when they’ve been along to the farm shop in the past. Ultimately, though, the pressure of running such a place seven days a week for 42 years has taken its toll.
It is more of a ‘lifestyle’ than a job, meaning that the family want to take the opportunity to enjoy life together rather than just constantly working. You don’t need to worry about the animals, however, given that the family will be taking most of them with them. Those that aren’t taken along with the family after their retirement will be rehomed with family and friends. The nearby Willows Forest School will remain open even after the farm has closed for good, so anyone who wants to go there can still do so. If the Children’s Farm is what you’re after, though, it’s £6 per person, whilst under-two-year-olds go free.