Featuring: Burton Lazars Farms
Theme: Regenerative farming, rare breeds and education
In the second instalment of our Farming Focus series, we’re heading to the beautiful rolling hills just outside Melton Mowbray to visit Burton Lazars Farms, a fourth-generation family-run business that’s doing farming differently — and making a big impact, both locally and beyond.
Run by Tom, Tess, Harry, and Sophie, this mixed farm stretches across 1,400 acres and is proudly rooted in regenerative agriculture — a farming system that focuses on improving soil health, encouraging biodiversity, and reducing inputs.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this local gem so special. 👇
🌱 Regenerative by Nature
At Burton Lazars Farms, the team follows the core principles of regenerative farming:
- Soil conservation
- Reduced artificial inputs
- Livestock integration
This means no cultivating or ploughing — protecting soil structure, reducing erosion, and keeping the natural ecosystem (including those all-important worms!) intact.
The farm grows a variety of arable crops including:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Linseed
- Beans
- Oats
With no cultivation and minimum disturbance, they’re farming with nature rather than against it.
🐂 Grazing the Land – Naturally
The beef herd (around 300 animals) spend most of the year grazing on permanent pasture and wetlands — making use of land that can’t be cropped while helping to build organic matter and support the local ecosystem. During the winter, they come inside to stay warm and dry, still fed on home-grown forage.
🐑 Rare Breed Sheep – the Hardy Herdwicks
You’ll also find a flock of pure bred Herdwick sheep, a rare native breed originally from the Lake District. Not only do they have adorable smiley faces, but they produce a distinctive, flavour-rich meat — a real treat for those who care about provenance and quality.
🛒 From Field to Fork – The Horsebox Shop
Each week, Burton Lazars Farms opens up their own on-site Horsebox Farm Shop, selling their grass-fed beef and lamb directly to the public. All meat is expertly butchered and packaged locally.
There’s no middleman. No unnecessary food miles. Just premium quality meat, straight from the family that raised it.
🔗 Visit their official website – Burton Lazars Farms
🐑 Stay on the Farm – The Shepherd’s Hut Airbnb
For a truly unique countryside escape, guests can stay in the farm’s very own Shepherd’s Hut. Tucked away in a peaceful paddock, this charming retreat offers a slice of rural life with unbeatable views, fresh air, and the odd curious cow or sheep nearby.
Whether you’re looking to unplug or enjoy a base for exploring, it’s a gorgeous way to support local and soak up farm life.
🎓 An Outdoor Classroom
One of the farm’s greatest assets? Its potential as a learning space.
The family has hosted school visits, and with accreditation from the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS), they are well equipped to offer safe, engaging experiences for children and young people.
Farm education at Burton Lazars can include:
- Hedgerow biodiversity surveys
- Feed mixing for cattle
- Soil health assessments
- Food production and sustainability
- Business planning
- Even topics like maths, geography, art and history!
With woodlands, hedgerows, wetlands and watercourses, the farm acts as a living classroom, making education hands-on, real, and unforgettable. They’re keen to welcome more schools and community groups — so if you’re an educator or organiser, get in touch.
💚 Why It Matters to Our Community
Burton Lazars Farms represents the future of farming — sustainable, transparent, and community focused.
By supporting farms like theirs, we’re choosing:
- Food with fewer miles
- Practices that protect nature
- Education for the next generation
- A stronger local economy
This is more than a farm. It’s a living example of how farming can support people, planet, and profit — all while producing some of the best meat around.
📣 Would you like your farm featured in a future Farming Focus post?
We’d love to hear from you.
📩 Email: showteam@rutlandshowground.com
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