Penpont Farm

In early 2025, Penpont Farm completed a project aimed at improving public access, enhancing opportunities for outdoor education, and strengthening engagement with the Cornwall National Landscape. Supported through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, the project transformed traditional farm infrastructure and created new spaces for learning and exploration. 

Before the project began, the farm already had a public footpath, but accessibility was limited. Traditional stiles created barriers for many visitors, including families with young children, people with reduced mobility, and guests staying at nearby holiday cottages. At the same time, the farm hoped to expand its educational offering, particularly with a view to hosting school visits and farm tours in the future. To achieve these aims, Penpont Farm needed to create safer and more inclusive visitor routes while developing a dedicated area for environmental learning. 

Three existing stiles were replaced with accessible kissing gates, making the route significantly easier and safer for a wider range of visitors. A purpose-built pond dipping platform was also constructed to support both structured educational visits and informal public exploration. This platform provided a stable and secure space for pond dipping as well as a vantage point overlooking the surrounding National Landscape. The farm also purchased pond dipping resources such as nets, trays and identification sheets, ensuring that the platform could be used immediately for learning activities. 

To further enhance visitor experience, a new interpretation board was installed at the entrance to the platform. This helped visitors understand the biodiversity of the pond, the wider landscape designations, and the natural beauty of the area.  

The new facilities also placed the farm in a stronger position to diversify its business through educational access and other nature-based opportunities. 

Overall, the project successfully created a more accessible, engaging and environmentally educational landscape at Penpont Farm. It strengthened public connection with nature, supported future learning opportunities, enhanced the experience of exploring a protected and beautiful part of Cornwall, and demonstrated how initiatives like this can offer valuable diversification opportunities for farms.