Wantisden Hall Farms

Wantisden Hall was built in 1550 by Richard Wingfield, but it was not until 1946 that Mr. Jack Kemball came to Wantisden. The three farms which make up the estate, Dale Farm, Valley Farm and Wantisden Hall, total 1,550 acres (727.5ha), but at that time only 450 acres were under cultivation, with a further 700 acres being cropped by 1950.

In the early days, spring barley was the main crop grown with a small acreage of sugar beet, potatoes and carrots. Irrigation, now one of the most important factors in successful farming of this soil, was first introduced in 1954 on early potatoes. As the root crop acreage increased, so too did the need for irrigation, and it was in 1972 that the decision to install a modern system of 6.5 miles of underground main and fixed pumping stations was taken. This system can irrigate the whole arable area, and can supply 1.5 million gallons per day from 50 acres of lakes, which have been excavated over the last 25 years.

Today the farm grows root crops, vegetables, such as sweet corn, and cereals, as well as other enterprises now adding to the farm income. However, potatoes, which are double cropped, are still the most important aspect of the farm business. All the potatoes grown are sold to
fulfil contracts with Sainsburys, Safeway, Tesco and other multiples. The
farm is also an Approved Packer for Sainsburys and Safeway, so now deal
with other producer's potatoes for export to countries such as the
Canary Islands.