Backsbottom Farm: A living landscape for nature, learning and community
Backsbottom Farm, located in the north of the Forest of Bowland just outside the village of Wray, in Lancashire, is a beautifully-diverse farm shaped by nature and careful stewardship. The landscape includes wildflower-rich hay meadows, ancient semi-natural woodland, pasture fields dotted with wildflowers and mature trees, and fell land that is part of a recovering blanket bog.
Backsbottom has been one of our Associate Farms since 2024 and we are working with the Everett family to secure the farm’s long-term future as a community asset and place of natural beauty. The farm has been carefully-stewarded for many years with a strong focus on permaculture, wildlife and biodiversity. One of the farm’s most distinctive features is its ancient, semi-natural woodland — the largest area of its kind in Lancashire. This woodland lies approximately a 15-minute walk from the farmyard and forms the heart of Backsbottom Farm’s educational offer. These visits are tailored to schools, community groups, training organisations, and individuals interested in land-based learning.
Situated in a steep valley with mature woodland and species-rich meadows, Backsbottom Farm has long prioritised regenerative approaches to land management. River stewardship and natural flood management are key themes, reflecting both the farm’s setting and its commitment to climate resilience.
Situated on the farm is Middlewood Study Centre, run by the Middewood Trust, founded and originally financed and built by Rod Everett, with family and friends, to run environmental courses. The Trust has a growing space with educational facilities utilising the farm environment. Courses, in the past, have included fungi foraging, medicinal herb foraging, Permaculture training, greenwoodworking and heritage crafts like basket making.
The farm produces timber, has a small flock of sheep, several orchards and vinegar production. Backsbottom Farm, under the expertise of Rod, has taught composting techniques, flood management etc to farming and environmental groups and offers occasional woodland walks. These visits are tailored to schools, community groups, training organisations, and individuals interested in land-based learning.
A hub for biodiversity and learning in the North West
We believe that Backsbottom Farm holds significant potential as an educational and biodiversity hub for the North West of England. With its combination of ancient woodland, wildflower meadows, regenerative farming and community-led vision, the farm offers a living example of permaculture principles in action.
Through continued collaboration with local people, partners and visitors, Backsbottom Farm is working toward a resilient future — one that supports wildlife, strengthens communities, enhances food systems, and restores the land for generations to come.
