About Us

We are a little private farm based in snug Methwold village near Thetford and Downham Market. Cherry Tree Farm was born after Tracy, Andy and the children moved back to Methwold. Tracy purchased two ten-week-old pygmy boys that were just bundles of fluff, Jake and Josh. Tracy quickly realised that her love for goats was going to grow, and grow quickly. Next, they purchased some girls but unbeknown to them they were pregnant and soon followed some babies. The funny thing is Tracy and her father Roy took the girls to a stud goat soon after they settled on the farm and after one month the stud owner said: "Well your ladies don't seem to be interested but we will wait and see what happens". Well of course they weren't interested, they were already going to have babies!

The gorgeous sets of twins that followed softened Tracy's heart even more and the "crazy goat lady" was born. The twins all learned to play with the grandchildren gently, walk on leads from pen to pen, and give the best cuddles, so her passion for goats grew and grew. Andy purchased Bobbie as a yearling as he saw him out in a field with bigger horses and looked really sad and said to Tracy, you wanted a horse here's one. A little 11hh welsh pony that Tracy couldn't ride (as he was too tiny) so the grandchildren had a new pet.

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The farm was initially built for Tracys Dementia idea. People who suffer from dementia could holiday on the farm and they would provide care for the client while the family got some rest or took a day out but the funding for the cabins just went during covid to keep the farm going and to be ready to reopen when the time came. As the farm grew they realised that the petting farm side of it needed to increase so they could reinvest money back into the farm to build the business. No investors, no mortgages, just hard work by Tracy and her team of volunteers, with the help of Andy and their children when they are not at their day jobs.

Tracy was then asked to rehome other animals so the small animal enclosure just grew and grew. "Mum brought me my first two rabbits Honey and Bee, and I brought a few guinea pigs and a set of twin dwarf rabbits, and the children loved them. They are so popular because we let people cuddle them, sometimes groom them, and just holding them is therapy alone. Next came the therapy sessions. People suffering from anxiety, for example, would get referred and come for a day to help out and sit with the animals of their choice and simply hold, groom, stroke, or brush and as a result, relieves stress. We have people referred to us that are nervous about leaving school and going into college or university.

Our job is to get that person confident, relaxed, and ready to apply for a position at college or even apply for a job. It is amazing seeing them blossom and turn into young adults ready to take on the world. That's my favourite part of the job, Tracy said. Seeing the achievements they make is humbling. So, fast forward to 2021, and just surviving three terrible storms (that smashed down polytunnels, rabbit hutches, and fencing), the farm is now a little working petting farm that is self-sufficient by growing its own hay, and they have its own water supply. All power is run off solar systems, which is truly admirable, as it took 2 years to get water on site.

The farm has a campsite, a little pop-up cafe and a pre-school play area, 8 animal pens for rabbits and guinea pigs, three pony and llama paddocks, donkies and 4 goat pens housing 24 goats for all sizes and breeds. The chickens were rescued ex-battery hens from FRESHSTARTFORHENS, and two farm cats, Kit and Kat and Lulu, the family Jack Russell.

Meet The Team

Becky

Becky has been volunteering here at Cherry Tree Farm for a long time now and always comes up with new ideas and jobs. She, like Tracy, has a horse background and has owned many other animals throughout her life. Her hobbies are driving and riding her horse Stanley and being at the farm. Her favourite animals on the farm are the Anglo Nubien goats because they are so full of character and naughtiness. Becky has also worked with SEN and caring for the elderly.

Tracy

My name is Tracy and I am the Farm Manager and Co Owner of CTF. I do a bit of everything. Some days I am running the farm, serving in reception and over seeing the gift shop. Most of you would have seen me this year running the Onsite Feed shed Cafe. I love my job, working with gorgeous animals that give you endless cuddles it's so rewarding, so after a hard day I head off to the goats with a cuppa to relax. Working with all our volunteers is like working with one huge extended family, I feel so lucky to have a caring and fun loving bunch of people. My favourite jobs are mucking out the animals and everyone who knows me knows, that I don't like being shut in the office doing all the endless paperwork. I also love planting up the new flower beds. My worst job on the farm is doing the injections.

The farm has come a long way in 3 years from being an empty field to now a colourful farm with cheeky animals. We hope to see many more new faces along our journey.

#WithYouWeBlossom.

Linda

Hello there, my name is Linda I am Tracy's mum (founder of cherry tree farm). I enjoy helping out at the farm and getting stuck in with any jobs that will be beneficial to either the farm or the team. I enjoy my days at the farm as my role consists of me being in reception where I get to meet and greet all families and members of the public who may visit us. On days that I'm not busy in reception, I always keep myself occupied whether it be cleaning tables or toilet and wash facilities, painting cabinets, serving in our hot food and drinks Onsite Cafe. I cannot wait to meet more and more people as we continue to grow.

I can be seen on the farm every day we are open.

Mel

Hi, I'm Mel, I'm Tracys cousin so I have helped out at the Farm from the very beginning. I love being at the farm as it's a great place to chill and unwind. All the volunteers are lovely and are like extended family. It's great to see how far the farm has come, the animals always come first! and are loved by everyone.

Before my health deteriorated I used to be very active and bathe rhino the pony, do the stables, cut the lawns and generally help wherever I could. Recently when I am well enough, I help serve in the feed shed and work on the ' Goats at home ' events. I especially love attending care homes/assisted living and dementia facilities. It's Highly rewarding.

Feed Shed Pop-Up Cafe

Hot dogs £1.50 choice of fresh sausages, tinned or jarred wheat free sausages.
Burgers starting at £2, we do wheat free but please call to order in advance as we don't keep in stock.
Bacon roll or sandwich starting at £2.50
Pot noodles £1.50
Cup a soup £1
Homemade soup and roll coming soon....
Vegetarian option of the day £3.50
Tea, coffee £1
Latte, cappuccinos, mochas £1.50
Hot choc £2 or with all the trimmings £2.50
We do cater for dairy free but please call in advance as we don't always have it in stock.
Cans or fruit shoots £1
Smaller kids drinks, apple and orange juice 50p
Homemade cake from £2.50 (Usually Carrot cake, Victoria sponge, Chocolate cake, Lemon drizzle)
Ifwheat diary of gluten-free please call us to let us know what you would like.
Sweets from 50p
Crisps from 50p
Rocky Road slab £2.50

We can also make up children's picnic boxes with either a sandwich, hot dog or burger, a bag of crisps, a drink and a piece of fruit or raisins starting from £3.50, booking only. We can adjust them to suit your needs.