April 2026 at Stourton

The first event of the Season is just around the corner……………..

The Lincolnshire Makers Artisan Market on Sunday 10th May is shaping up to be a fantastic day out.

With around 90 local traders joining us, it’s a great opportunity to support Lincolnshire creatives and explore a wide range of handmade products.

Alongside the market, we’ll be running our popular farm safaris, giving visitors the chance to see more of the estate. If you want to pre-book to ensure a spot on the specially adapted trailer please click here.

For the first time, we’ll also have fresh venison available, alongside our own honey and eggs, so you can take a little taste of the estate home with you.

We’d love to see you there – find out more, book your safari and plan your visit via the link below:

https://www.stourtonestates.co.uk/product/events/spring-artisan-market-10th-may-2026/.

Woodland Weddings

Weddings in the safari tent remain at the heart of Stourton Woods, and preparations are well underway for our Wedding Fair on Sunday 17th May.

All of our suppliers are now confirmed, and we’ve been busy refreshing the venue, from ongoing groundwork improvements to new signage at the entrance and across the site.

We’ve also updated our wedding brochure to better reflect the flexibility of the venue, highlighting how couples can create a day that feels truly their own, with both venue hire and wedding package options available.

Behind the scenes, we’re working closely with our team and suppliers to make sure everything runs smoothly, so each wedding feels relaxed, well organised, and effortless for our couples.

On the Estate

As we move into the events season, there’s a real sense of momentum across Stourton Woods.

The safari tent has had its annual spring clean, with the floor and doors freshly treated, ready to welcome guests. We’re also delighted to have a new private booking confirmed for July, with the space continuing to prove a popular choice for relaxed parties and celebrations.

Across the estate, winter storm damage has been cleared, the arboretum has been mown, and we’re beginning to reinstall the finishing touches, from festoon lighting and the fire pit to the blessing area and outdoor seating.

Around the Roundhouse and woodland, fallen timber from winter storm damage has been cleared away and processed using our new chipper.

We’ve also cleared overgrown vegetation around Stourton Old Hall overlooking the deer parks, revealing the remaining walls of the building once again.

Woodchip Bags

Our woodchip bags are a simple, low-cost product suitable for a range of uses, from garden beds and pathways to chicken runs and wet gateways.

Produced from fallen timber here on the estate, it’s a sustainable, low-mile product.

Order your woodchip online here

On the Farm

April has been a busy and productive month across the farm, with plenty of progress as we move fully into the growing season.

All of our spring crops are now safely in the ground. Barley has received its full fertiliser programme, and our spring oats will have their final application shortly. With everything established, we’re now focused on giving crops the best possible start as they grow.

Our oilseed rape is looking particularly strong this year. The crops are even and healthy, and we’ve avoided the pigeon damage that can sometimes be a challenge over winter. It’s also been interesting to see how using the N sensor (modern technology helping us fine-tune our application of fertiliser), with variations in soil nutrients across fields being carefully managed to support consistent growth.  We’ll be watching closely to see how this translates into yields at harvest.

Winter wheat is progressing well too. It has received its first fungicide treatment, and overall the crops are looking in great condition. There are a few lighter patches following last year’s sugar beet, which is fairly typical, but we’re continuing to manage these areas carefully. Our milling wheat will receive an additional late nitrogen boost to help improve grain quality.

Elsewhere, environmental stewardship work continues, with most of our SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) re-drilled areas now established, supporting biodiversity alongside food production.

You may remember our sunflowers from previous years – they’re now drilled and just starting to emerge.  At this stage, our main job is keeping the crows at bay while the young plants establish, but we’re looking forward to seeing them grow and then bloom over the coming months.

Around the yard, work on the new courtyard shed is progressing well. The base is complete, and we’re expecting the steel frame, roof and cladding to go up in early May, which will be a great addition to the farm’s facilities.

Finally, our cattle are doing well. We’ll be weighing the first group in mid-May, with some expected to be ready later next month. The second group has recently passed their TB test and are now out grazing, making the most of the spring grass and sunshine.

Looking Ahead

Preparations are already underway for Open Farm Sunday on Sunday 7th June where we’re opening the gates and celebrating 100 years of farming at Stourton!

We will demonstrate how we manage a mixed farm and forestry business within the beautiful setting of Stourton Woods, our diversified events venue.

We are delighted to welcome a range of external exhibitors showcasing their businesses across farming, countryside and forestry with plenty for everyone to see and do.
With farmers market traders in the grounds with local produce on sale, demonstrations and activities to take part in you can make a day of it. There will also be static displays of modern farm machinery in the grounds. There will also be tractor & trailer tours running FOC throughout the day to see the deer, cattle, forestry & wider estate.

You will be able to get hot food & drinks, snacks and refreshments to enjoy all day.

No booking required – just turn up on the day!

Deer Diary

There’s been plenty happening with the deer this month.

Winston and Harry both dropped their antlers at the end of March and quickly retreated from the younger stags, who took full advantage of the shift in pecking order!

With the warmer weather in April, we’ve released the hinds and calves from the Roundhouse back into the woods and surrounding enclosures…where they’ve been enjoying a mud bath!

The team then set to work clearing and cleaning the space, ready for the forthcoming events to be held in this space.

April is always a pivotal month for us, marking the transition from winter into the events and growing season. There’s a lot happening across the farm and estate, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Stourton Woods soon.