Hampton Estate Naturally Reared News July 2026

Amazingly I was right about our June beef day, and it was an absolute scorcher as predicted. We almost ran out of steak as barbeques were ready to be fired up and everyone enjoyed home made elderflower or iced coffee rather that the hot stuff. And as I write I wonder whether FRIDAY 7th AUGUST will be the same? Our second heat wave this summer seems to be continuing at the moment but will it last until our next beef day on the 7th of August?

Whether it does or doesn’t we have excellent stocks of steaks, cuts, joints, sausages, beefburgers on the beef front and just at the moment excellent stocks of Hampton wild roe venison all waiting for your order. You can be perfectly flexible with a couple of sirloin or flatiron steaks and a packet of beefburgers but make sure you also have braising steak and a mouthwatering topside joint in case the barbeque is put away as would be the case in a normal summer and a roast is needed. Check through our beef order list here and our venison information here and pop your order over to jameswindridge@hamptonestate.co.uk. James will ensure it is logged, prepped and ready and waiting for you on the 7th. Top tip for August, James’ new idea of topside steaks went down a treat and we will be repeating. Cook for three to four minutes a side over high heat and for a Saturday lunch special pop into two slices of sough dough with rocket, sliced tomatoes, a good dollop of mayo, salt and pepper.

Last week we had to postpone our volunteering day for the first time ever, but ragwort pulling in 30-degree heat is just one step too far. Our next volunteering day is scheduled for 16th October, and we look forward to seeing as many as possible then.

We are also planning a ‘meet the cows walk’ on Puttenham Common either one evening or a Saturday morning and will let you know date and time. These are always extremely popular and give everyone a chance to learn more about the cows, their No Fence collars and the wonderful environment they inhabit. James will also be explaining the expansion of our No Fence system so that now, all our cows have collars and in due course the estate’s fencing will be the bare minimum. We are all really impressed with the system, and James’s regular orders for more collars and his starring role in the No Fence promotional film has granted him the status of No Fence ambassador.

In this heat the hops are struggling and would just love some water, but I am confident that we will have a crop and we will also have decorative hops for sale during harvest. We will be selling our decorative hop bines from the hop oast from the last week of August until the end of the second week in September and do book one with your beef order. They are a fabulous addition to any home and give a glorious aroma as they dry, which they do naturally once hung in place. Do not disturb a bine once artistically positioned and it will last for about a year looking lovely, won’t drop leaves and will be the center of attention.

Waggoners Campsite is incredibly popular this summer and Sonja our campsite manager is receiving rave reviews for her stewardship and enthusiasm. Everyone is loving their camping experience and there are plans afoot to extend the number of cold showers, they are just so popular. And similarly The Waggon Sauna is gaining huge popularity under the professional guidance of sauna manager Elenid. The views, the cold showers and her fine mint tea are all getting great feedback and five-star reviews. Have a look at both Hampton enterprises and surprise yourself with a booking.

We look forward to seeing you on 7th August come rain or shine, for beef chat, for drinks which will dependent on the weather and for cake which will be as smooth and scrummy as always. Do send your order over to James asap to avoid any disappointment.

Best wishes

Bill and Bridget