Busy Days, Happy Haze. The Rural & Campsite Charm
- pigsinblanketssout
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
There’s something truly special about our little haven on the coastline. Tucked away in the secluded Suffolk countryside—yet just a stone’s throw from the iconic seaside town of Southwold—we’re lucky to enjoy the very best of both worlds and we know so many of you love it too!
With rolling fields stretching out around us and the fresh sea air filling your lungs (and soul), it’s a place that invites you to slow down and simply be. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some of our farm animals soaking it all in too!
Whether you’ve stayed with us and spotted our pigs and cattle along the private footpath to Southwold, or simply glimpsed them while popping into our bar, they’re a huge part of who we are—and a big reason why we’re here at all.
The Farm
This farm has been in Will’s family for over 25 years, and yes, it’s primarily a pig farm (so no prizes for guessing how Pigs in Blankets got its name… sorry!). Rearing premium-quality pigs has been a passion passed down through generations—maybe Charlie will be next in line? (If you’re wondering who Charlie is, you’re missing out—go read our first blog, New Season, New Faces & Some Very Big Ideas.)
Being a proud supplier to the British food chain is something we wear with pride, and you’ll see that love for farming sprinkled throughout our site. Some of our favourite touches include the names of your shower and toilet facilities—The Gilts (female pigs) and The Boars (male pigs)—and our uniquely designed glamping pods, shaped like traditional pig arcs and named The Pigsty, The Oinker, The Piglet, and The Wallow. As well as our bar 'The Grain Shed' being a converted grain silo from the farm. Everything we bring to the site is carefully chosen to feel rurally rustic, yet beautiful.
Alongside our pigs, the farm also breed cattle. A liquorice-all-sorts collection of breeds paints the meadows and fields in every shade. Our beef herd is managed using a system known as block calving. Simply put, throughout the spring months, we welcome a burst of new life all at once. It’s an incredibly intense period for the farm team—supporting a high number of cows through safe labours, helping calves into the world, and closely monitoring those vital first few days/weeks to ensure strong feeding and bonding before they are turned out into their grazing groups. It’s demanding work, no doubt—but we are treated to some of the cutest faces imaginable!
It’s not just livestock that keeps this farm busy—arable plays an essential role too. Most of our arable land is dedicated to growing crops that are used to feed our cattle, such as grass silage and maize.
However, sustainability is just as important to us as productivity. That’s why a portion of our land is enrolled in what’s known as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. This supports farmers in adopting more sustainable practices that protect and enhance the natural environment, all while strengthening the long-term health and resilience of the farm. Choosing actions that best suit our land and farming needs—whether it’s improving soil health, managing hedgerows, implementing integrated pest management, or planting areas with wild bird seed mixes and herbal leys. These measures not only encourage biodiversity and healthier ecosystems, but they also contribute to more robust, adaptable farming in the face of climate change and modern challenges.
What the farm has been up to recently...
It’s busy busy here at both the farm and the campsite—so please excuse the slightly longer-than-hoped-for gap between blog posts! We’ve been soaking up the buzz of the season, revelling in the energy that you, our wonderful campers, bring with you, all while diving headfirst into silage season… and now harvest too!
-Silage season (one of my favourites!) It’s the time of year when we cut the grass using mowers on the tractors and either clamp it (tipping and compacting it down into a concrete pad and covering with sheeting) or bale and wrap it. Once stored, the grass begins to ferment—transforming into a nutrient-packed feed our cows absolutely adore. A Bovine equivalent of a delicious slow-cooked stew!
-Harvest, a season many recognise as the heart of the farming calendar. It’s when we roll out the big machines and begin combining all our cereal crops e.g wheat, barley, oats, and oilseed rape. Right behind the combine come the balers, to bale the swaft (the line of straw the combine leaves behind) into bales to be carted away and stored for the pigs and cattle's bedding over the winter months.
What many don’t realise, is just how much this season is at the mercy of the weather. Every window of dry, settled conditions is crucial. That’s why the days are long—and the nights often longer—as we work around the clock to bring in the crops at just the right temperature and moisture level.
Timing is everything. Getting it right means ensuring top-quality grain, ready to be turned into the products you see on your shelves, as well as feed for livestock.
We are still in the madness of harvest - though a slight pause has been implemented by these 'unwelcomed' downpours!!
Farming, it's a way of life and there’s nothing quite like it. Mix it with the fresh sea air and the sight of campers gathered around the firepit at the end of a long summer’s day. It’s a magical blend of tradition, hard work, and campsite spirit—and we’re so grateful you get to be a part of it with us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog. See you in the next!
Here's to sunny days, starry nights and the memories made under the glorious coastal canvas of Pigs in Blankets.
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