Charles faram Farms

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BRINGING GROWERS AND BREWERS TOGETHER

Charles Faram Farms Ltd is made up of independent family farms who work hand in hand with us on all aspects of hop growing and development.

This includes continuous improvement by reducing reliance on artificial fertilisers, reduction in crop protection products, increased bio-diversity and cover cropping and the use of alternative fuel and drying techniques.

Through constant collaboration and sharing of knowledge and best practice we work together to supply brewers around the world with the best of British hops.

Charles Faram Farms Ltd also follow our core values 

Quality • Innovation • Respect • Community • Expertise • Reliability

MEET THE GROWERS

The Phillips family have been growing hops in Herefordshire since they moved to the area in 1850. Richard farms with his wife Lucy and their two sons Bertie and Sam, Lucy is also from long established hop growing family. Both brothers are carrying on the strong family tradition of hop growing into the sixth generation! Richard is the Chairman of Charles Faram Farms and works very closely with the other grower members to coordinate the varieties and volumes that are required for forward contracts. He is also a great supporter of the hop variety development program and is keen to work with brewers to select the best new varieties for brewing.		 Nom RB Phillips Hopmech Ltd
Location Herefordshire, UK
Farms Lower Eggleton Court and Tarrington
Began 1850
Managed by Richie Phillips
Variétés Bramling Cross • Golding Pilgrim • Jester® Harlequin®
Hop development Member of the development team
Hop hectares 24.3Ha
Other farming Small amounts of grassing and combinable crops.
The Hawkins family have been at The Farm, Bosbury since the mid 1940’s but the earlier generations were based at farms in both Herefordshire and Kent. They very keen on experimenting with new varieties and new and sustainable ways of producing the crop. John and Henry Hawkins will be the sixth generation of hop growers and they take a huge interest in the hops.		 Nom Hawkins Farming
Location Bosbury, Herefordshire, UK
Farms The Farm & Millend Farm
Began Current location 1940’s
Managed by Sarah Hawkins & Matt Bailey
Variétés

Golding • Progress • Sovereign • Pilgrim • Jester® • Olicana® • Harlequin®
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties and soil/pest regenerative management methods
Hop hectares 30 Ha
Other farming

110ha cider apple • Christmas trees • Arable crops • Countryside Stewardship environmental scheme • Bosbury Herefords prime pedigree Hereford cattle
Richard and his son Doy Hollamby are the present family members involved with the hop growing here in the High Weald. Hops have been grown at Woodknowle since the 1600’s, where the traditional oast house is still used for drying.		 Nom R Hollamby & Sons
Location The High Weald, Sussex, UK
Farms Woodknowle
Began 1910
Managed by Richard and Doy Hollamby
Variétés

Admiral • Phoenix • Progress• Target
Hop development Member of the development team 
Hop hectares 11.48 Ha
Other farming Some combinable crops 
 

Unusually for British hop growing, this is a relatively new enterprise, and, rather perversely, started at the same time that many of the other English hopyards were being taken out, in the early 2000s.

Sue is a farmer’s daughter, but trained as a physiotherapist, knowing the family farm would go to her brother. However, she subsequently bought a small farm for herself, initially planting half of it with cider fruit, for which Herefordshire is well known. Over time she built this up and is now in a farm partnership with her husband Frank, and daughter Olivia.

 Nom Okells Organics
Location Bosbury, Herefordshire, UK
Farms Bargains Farm
Began 2008
Managed by Sue Okell, Frank and Olivia
Variétés

Organic First Gold
Hop development –
Hop hectares 2 Ha
Other farming

Cider fruit • Combinable crops • Eating apples • Vegetables •                                              Livery yard

The Barrett family have been hop growers in the area for at least 4 generations. Jim has a wealth of experience and is often helping other growers with agronomy and even lending a hand in the kiln.  

 Nom J W Barrett
Location Castle Frome, Herefordshire, UK
Farms Walsorpthorne
Began 1860
Managed by Jimmy Barrett 
Variétés

Ernest • Jester® • Harlequin® 
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares 6.3 Ha
Other farming

 

The farm has been run by the Pennington family since 1961 when Tim’s father moved from a farm near Liverpool. The farm had previously been growing hops and the Pennington family have continued that ever since. Tim has 2 sons, Charlie (a Fabricator and Engineer) and Will (an Agricultural contractor) who are keen to follow in Tim’s footsteps.  

 Nom HG Pennington 
Location Madley, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Lulham Court
Began 1961
Managed by Tim Pennington 
Variétés

Bramling Cross • Golding 
Hop development – 
Hop hectares 8.16  Ha
Other farming Vineyard • Combinable crops • Potatoes
John Perry Pudge’s father started hop growing in Dilwyn in 1892. John moved Brook House Kings Pyon in 1936 and hops have been grown by the family ever since. Colin is the current generation (4th) growing hops with his daughter Erin showing keen interest in becoming the 5th hop farmer. 
 		 Nom Colin Pudge
Location Kings Pyon, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Brook House
Began 1936
Managed by Colin Pudge 
Variétés

First Gold • Sovereign • 

Endeavour • Faram Fuggle
Hop development Member of the development team 
Hop hectares 9.3  Ha
Other farming

Sheep • Cattle • Cider apples • Christmas trees
Hops have been grown at Reeds Farm for Hundreds of years. In1972 the Wilson family purchased the farm and have been growing hops there ever since.
 Nom CWL Wilson 
Location Kent, UK 
Farms Reeds Farm
Began 1972
Managed by Alan Clark
Variétés

Target • Pilgrim • Bramling Cross 
Hop development – 
Hop hectares 12.02  Ha
Other farming

Sheep
The Lewis family came to The Haven in 1888 and have farmed there ever since. Edward and his son Ben work as a team to grow only Fuggles at this time, being a farm free from Verticillium Wilt.

 Nom Edward Lewis 
Location Dilwyn, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms The Haven
Began 1888
Managed by Ben Lewis
Variétés

Fuggle
Hop development – 
Hop hectares2   2.55 Ha
Other farming

Hereford Cattle • Cider apples • Combinables 
Hops have been grown at Thinghill court and Claston for hundreds of years. James and his brother Paul started growing hedgerow hops 27 years ago and have become specialists in this field, they are the 3rd generation of the Hawkins family to farm this area with deep roots in hop growing. The next generation is showing great interest.

 Nom JS and CP Hawkins 
Location Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Thinghill Court and Claston 
Began Unknown
Managed by James Hawkins (Jimmer) 
Variétés

First Gold • Sovereign •  Faram 

Fuggle •  Archer • Pioneer •  

Pilot • Boadicea 
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares2   42.1 Ha
Other farming

Strawberries • Garlic • Turf •

Combinables • Cattle • Chickens • 

Hazelnuts • Cider apples 
 

The Walker family having been growing hops locally for many generations going back to the mid 19th Century. John and family started growing as hedgerow specialists in 1996 when First Gold was released.

 

Ed, John and Sues son has returned to the farm, post college, and is actively involved in the farm and hop growing.

 Nom E B Walker & Co
Location Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Tedney
Began 1920
Managed by John Walker
Variétés

Organic Sovereign • Organic Endeavour • Organique

Experimentals  
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares2   6.9 Ha
Other farming

Hereford Cattle • Sheep • Damsons • Cider apples • Perry pears • Combinables  

 

With roots tracing back to the 1940s, Church Farm is a testament to the enduring legacy of hop farming through generations. Tom, a fourth-generation farmer, inherits a proud tradition of excellence, with his steadfast commitment to quality and sustainability, Tom manages Church Farm with a keen eye on the future, supported by his dedicated team. 

NomTom Probert
LocationWeston Beggard, Herefordshire
FarmsChurch Farm
Began1940
Managed byTom Probert
Variétés

Bramling Cross • Goldings • Progress • Willamette • Hersbruker

Hop development–
Hop hectares2  16.2 Ha
Other farming

North Devon Cattle • Arable 

Stocks Farm, nestled in Suckley, has flourished for 60 years under the Capper family’s care. Richard Capper, the current owner and manager, continues this legacy with dedication, assisted by his wife Ali and their two children. Richard oversees the 200-acre farm, where they grow a large range of hops, such as Goldings and Harlequin ® and many different varieties of apples.  Stocks Farm is also an important member to the Hop Development team.

NomRichard Capper
LocationSuckley, Worcestershire
FarmsStocks Farm
Began1962
Managed byRichard Capper
VariétésGoldings • Pilgrim • Target • Phoenix • Olicana® • Jester ® • Harlequin ® • Godiva ™
Hop development Yes
Hop hectares2  40.5 Ha
Other farmingApples
 

The growing of hops

at Instone court can be traced back 130 years and probably much further! Simon and Lenny are passionate about hop growing with Simon being a former Chairman of the British Hop Association and a Director of Charles Faram Farms.

On the farm they grow many varieties of hop and are an important member of the Hop Development team, contributing a wealth of experience and willingness to trial new and exciting varieties.

 Nom Simon Parker
Location Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Instone Court
Began 1919
Managed by Simon and Lenny Parker
Variétés

Admiral • Bullion • 

Ernest • Golding • Jester® • 

Emperor® •  Opus® • Pilgrim • 

Progress • Target   
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares2   19.3 Ha
Other farming

Chickens • Sheep • Hazelnuts • 

Cider apples • Cooking apples   
Download the Charles Faram Farms PDF
NomRB Phillips Hopmech Ltd
The Phillips family have been growing hops in Herefordshire since they moved to the area in 1850. Richard farms with his wife Lucy and their two sons Bertie and Sam, Lucy is also from long established hop growing family. Both brothers are carrying on the strong family tradition of hop growing into the sixth generation! Richard is the Chairman of Charles Faram Farms and works very closely with the other grower members to coordinate the varieties and volumes that are required for forward contracts. He is also a great supporter of the hop variety development program and is keen to work with brewers to select the best new varieties for brewing.
Location Herefordshire, UK
Farms Lower Eggleton Court and Tarrington
Began 1850
Managed by Richie Phillips
Variétés Bramling Cross • Golding Pilgrim • Jester® Harlequin®
Hop development Member of the development team
Hop hectares 24.3Ha
Other farming Small amounts of grassing and combinable crops.
The Hawkins family have been at The Farm, Bosbury since the mid 1940’s but the earlier generations were based at farms in both Herefordshire and Kent. They very keen on experimenting with new varieties and new and sustainable ways of producing the crop. John and Henry Hawkins will be the sixth generation of hop growers and they take a huge interest in the hops.
Nom Hawkins Farming
Location Bosbury, Herefordshire, UK
Farms The farm & Millend Farm
Began Current location 1940’s
Managed by Sarah Hawkins & Matt Bailey
Variétés

Golding • Progress • Sovereign • Pilgrim • Jester® • Olicana® • Harlequin®
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties and soil/pest regenerative management methods
Hop hectares 30 Ha
Other farming

110ha cider apple • Christmas trees • Arable crops • Countryside Stewardship environmental scheme • Bosbury Herefords prime pedigree Hereford cattle
Richard and his son Doy Hollamby are the present family members involved with the hop growing here in the High Weald. Hops have been grown at Woodknowle since the 1600’s, where the traditional oast house is still used for drying.
Nom R Hollamby & Sons
Location The High Weald, Sussex, UK
Farms Woodknowle
Began 1910
Managed by Richard and Doy Hollamby
Variétés

Admiral • Phoenix • Progress• Target
Hop development Member of the development team 
Hop hectares 11.48 Ha
Other farming Some combinable crops 
 

Unusually for British hop growing, this is a relatively new enterprise, and, rather perversely, started at the same time that many of the other English hopyards were being taken out, in the early 2000s.

Sue is a farmer’s daughter, but trained as a physiotherapist, knowing the family farm would go to her brother. However, she subsequently bought a small farm for herself, initially planting half of it with cider fruit, for which Herefordshire is well known. Over time she built this up and is now in a farm partnership with her husband Frank, and daughter Olivia.

NomOkells Organics
LocationBosbury, Herefordshire, UK
FarmsBargains Farm
Began2008
Managed bySue Okell, Frank and Olivia
Variétés

Organic First Gold

Hop development–
Hop hectares2 Ha
Other farming

Cider fruit • Combinable crops • Eating apples • Vegetables •                                              Livery yard

The Barrett family have been hop growers in the area for at least 4 generations. Jim has a wealth of experience and is often helping other growers with agronomy and even lending a hand in the kiln.  
Nom J W Barrett
Location Castle Frome, Herefordshire, UK
Farms Walsorpthorne
Began 1860
Managed by Jimmy Barrett 
Variétés

Ernest • Jester® • Harlequin® 
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares 6.3 Ha
Other farming

 

The farm has been run by the Pennington family since 1961 when Tim’s father moved from a farm near Liverpool. The farm had previously been growing hops and the Pennington family have continued that ever since. Tim has 2 sons, Charlie (a Fabricator and Engineer) and Will (an Agricultural contractor) who are keen to follow in Tim’s footsteps.  
Nom HG Pennington 
Location Madley, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Lulham Court
Began 1961
Managed by Tim Pennington 
Variétés

Bramling Cross • Golding 
Hop development – 
Hop hectares 8.16  Ha
Other farming Vineyard • Combinable crops • Potatoes
John Perry Pudge’s father started hop growing in Dilwyn in 1892. John moved Brook House Kings Pyon in 1936 and hops have been grown by the family ever since. Colin is the current generation (4th) growing hops with his daughter Erin showing keen interest in becoming the 5th hop farmer.
 

Nom Colin Pudge
Location Kings Pyon, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Brook House
Began 1936
Managed by Colin Pudge 
Variétés

First Gold • Sovereign • 

Endeavour • 

Faram Fuggle
Hop development Member of the development team 
Hop hectares 9.3  Ha
Other farming

Sheep • Cattle • Cider apples • Christmas trees
Hops have been grown at Reeds Farm for Hundreds of years. In1972 the Wilson family purchased the farm and have been growing hops there ever since.
Nom CWL Wilson 
Location Kent, UK 
Farms Reeds Farm
Began 1972
Managed by Alan Clark
Variétés

Target • Pilgrim • 

Bramling Cross 
Hop development – 
Hop hectares 12.02  Ha
Other farming

Sheep
The Lewis family came to The Haven in 1888 and have farmed there ever since. Edward and his son Ben work as a team to grow only Fuggles at this time, being a farm free from Verticillium Wilt.
Nom Edward Lewis 
Location Dilwyn, Herefordshire, UK 
Farms The Haven
Began 1888
Managed by Ben Lewis
Variétés

Fuggle
Hop development – 
Hop hectares2   2.55 Ha
Other farming

Hereford Cattle • Cider apples • Combinables 
Hops have been grown at Thinghill court and Claston for hundreds of years. James and his brother Paul started growing hedgerow hops 27 years ago and have become specialists in this field, they are the 3rd generation of the Hawkins family to farm this area with deep roots in hop growing. The next generation is showing great interest.
Nom JS and CP Hawkins 
Location Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Thinghill Court and Claston 
Began Unknown
Managed by James Hawkins (Jimmer) 
Variétés

First Gold • Sovereign • 

Faram Fuggle • Archer • 

Pioneer • Pilot • 

Boadicea 
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares2   42.1 Ha
Other farming

Strawberries • Garlic • 

Turf • Combinables • 

Cattle • Chickens • 

Hazelnuts • Cider apples 

The Walker family having been growing hops locally for many generations going back to the mid 19th Century. John and family started growing as hedgerow specialists in 1996 when First Gold was released.

Ed, John and Sues son has returned to the farm, post college, and is actively involved in the farm and hop growing.
Nom E B Walker & Co
Location Herefordshire, UK
Farms Tedney
Began 1920
Managed by John Walker
Variétés

Organic Sovereign • Organic Endeavour • Organique Experimentals
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties
Hop hectares2 6.9 Ha
Other farming

Hereford Cattle • Sheep • Damsons • Cider apples • Perry pears • Combinables
The growing of hops at Instone court can be traced back 130 years and probably much further! Simon and Lenny are passionate about hop growing with Simon being a former Chairman of the British Hop Association and a Director of Charles Faram Farms. On the farm they grow many varieties of hop and are an important member of the Hop Development team, contributing a wealth of experience and willingness to trial new and exciting varieties.
Nom Simon Parker
Location Herefordshire, UK 
Farms Instone Court
Began 1919
Managed by Simon and Lenny Parker
Variétés

Admiral • Bullion • 

Ernest • Golding • 

Jester® • Emperor® • 

Opus® • Pilgrim • 

Progress • Target   
Hop development Many Charles Faram trial varieties 
Hop hectares2   19.3 Ha
Other farming

Chickens • Sheep • 

Hazelnuts • Cider apples • Cooking apples   
Download the Charles Faram Farms PDF