20 Years of Roundoak this July!

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’re excited to share a sneak peek of something very special…We’ve just published our brand new Roundoak Brochure – a fresh look at the farm for all our wonderful visitors!

This is a milestone year for us, and we’re taking the opportunity to look back on everything that has been created and achieved here at Roundoak over the past two decades. From humble beginnings to where we are today, it's been an incredible journey – and it's all thanks to your continued support.

We can't wait for you to read it and celebrate this special chapter with us! Get your copy from the Roundoak shop.

Our Story:

Twenty years ago, Norman and Ruth Coles decided to swap the world of property and stationery for a “quieter life” in the countryside. They bought a piece of land that they called Roundoak, which at the time had no buildings, no fences—just grass. Lots and lots of grass. Their children were convinced their parents had lost the plot. To humour them, they even bought a shipping container so they’d at least have somewhere to sit and drink their tea while contemplating their life choices.

It didn’t take long for Norman to realise that his trusty home lawnmower wasn’t up to the task of taming the vast sea of grass stretching before him. That’s when he had his first stroke of farming genius—sheep. Sheep eat grass. Problem solved.

And so, their journey into farming began with the arrival of 16 Hebridean ewes and a ram named Winkwell Falco, straight from a hill farm near Kielder Forest in Cumbria. Their first lambing season in 2005 was a roaring success—32 lambs born, all outdoors, with no intervention. “Well, that was easy,” they thought. (Spoiler: farming never stays easy.)

At first, their new life as farmers was met with much amusement from friends and locals.

2005 2025

2006 2023

The Hebridean sheep, with their dark coats and majestic horns, were often mistaken for goats, leading to endless teasing. Norman and Ruth found themselves in the uphill battle of being “outsiders” in the farming world—a world where farms had been passed down through generations, not handed over to two townies with a dream and a shipping container.

But the more time they spent on the farm, the more they fell in love with it. What started as a weekend project soon turned into full-time madness. They even bought a caravan so they could stay on the land—cementing their children's belief that their parents had, indeed, lost the plot. As their confidence (and livestock) grew, so did their ambition.

Then Now

A chance meeting in a Scottish pub with the Estate Manager of Balmoral Castle (as you do) led to a connection that would change the farm forever. Highland cows from the Queen’s estate—found their way to Roundoak. Their cattle had royal blood. The farm had gone from “a couple of sheep to mow the grass” to housing livestock that practically needed a crown.By 2015, Roundoak had become more than just a passion project.

Planning permission for a permanent dwelling was granted, and Norman and Ruth officially moved into their new farmhouse. No more caravan. No more shipping container. Just a home on the land they had poured their hearts into.

But they weren’t done yet. Their curiosity led them deeper into the world of rare breeds.

They discovered that some native breeds were teetering on the brink of extinction. And, much like they had done with their own lives, they decided to take a leap of faith. White Park, Vaynols, Irish Moiled, and Albion cattle all found a home at Roundoak—some of them so rare that only 25 existed in the entire UK.

Boray Our Royal Highlanders

Irish Moiled North Ronaldsay

They also introduced Boreray sheep, Black Welsh Mountain sheep, and North Ronaldsay sheep, furthering their commitment to conserving Britain’s most endangered livestock.

Beyond just breeding these rare animals, Norman and Ruth pioneered conservation grazing, working with Kent Wildlife Trust and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership to use their livestock to naturally maintain and restore vital ecosystems. Their animals now play an essential role in sustaining wildflower meadows, heathlands, and ancient woodlands, ensuring these landscapes thrive for generations to come. Of course, as the saying goes, “There’s no money in farming.” And when you’re farming rare breeds? There’s even less. But Norman and Ruth weren’t just farmers; they were entrepreneurs.

2010

They turned the farm into more than just a home—it became a destination. They built a camping and caravan site, created educational programs for schools and alternative provisions, and opened up the farm or schools and alternative provisions, and opened up the farm for open days so the public could see just how incredible these rare breeds were. They even started hosting weddings in their woodland and built the now-famous Yard Bar—a rustic, fun venue for intimate events (because what’s farming without a good party?).

Where events began Louise (Norman's daughter) and Mike's Wedding 2017

Now, twenty years later, Norman and Ruth look back on what they’ve built with immense pride. Sure, their kids still joke that they “lost the plot.” But as they stand on their land, surrounded by rare cattle, royal Highland cows, and families learning about the beauty of traditional farming, they know one thing for sure.

They didn’t lose the plot.

They just rewrote it

If Roundoak has captured your heart as it has ours,

why not become part of our story?

Whether you're planning an event or simply want to visit, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch and let your story become a part of Roundoak’s journey.

Lambing Day 2024