Hampton Estate Naturally Reared News August 2026

September will be a big month at Hampton and first things first, our beef collection day will be on Friday 25th and everyone is so welcome. We have excellent supplies of all beef cuts, joints, steaks, roasts, sizzlers, bangers, even kebabables (I’ve just made that word up but it definitely fits). As always head to our beef page and choose from the list, then zip your order over to James jameswindridge@hamptonestate.co.uk who will make sure it’s listed, butchered perfectly and bagged in a Hampton bag ready for your collection on the 25th.

This summer flat iron steaks have been all the rage, sirloin steaks have always sold out quickly and those sensible enough to order a picanha steak have returned for more, waxing lyrical. Let’s face it, it’s been a wonderful steak summer, and we are hoping to eke it out a little more. However, as temperatures drop and evenings are a little shorter perhaps now is the time to think of spag boll, casseroles, stews and roasts and accept that autumn is on the way. Our beef list can cope with every demand.

Our Hampton wild roe supplies are also excellent and now is the time to order. Later in the year wild roe will be scarcer, therefore harder to cull so why not pick up frozen roe venison now and pop it into the freezer for later. A haunch is the most magnificent of mouth wateringly delicious joints to roast, simply covered in salt and pepper, drizzled with olive oil and cooked in a really hot oven for just over an hour. Simple and delicious.

The beginning of September sees our hop harvest starting, and as many may have seen this will be our last. After much discussion, a very deep dive into finances, an analysis of markets, weather and investment plans we have concluded that sadly hop production at Hampton will cease in September 2026. As we posted on social media.

‘This wasn’t an easy or quick decision. We’ve been growing hops here for a very long time, and Puttenham’s connection to hop gardens goes back even further. But over the past few years, the numbers have simply stopped adding up. Hops need a settled, mild, damp climate — and our summers have been getting hotter and drier, while our winters have been getting warmer when they should be cold. That shift has made hops harder to grow well and far less financially sustainable, costing us more to produce than they earn.’

We are determined to go out positively and everyone on the farm is looking forward to the harvest. And we would like to invite you all to join us at the Final Hurrah Hop Harvest Party on Monday 7th September at the Hop Oast from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, £15 per ticket. Beer, Hampton sausage baps and oast tours will all be ready for you and please sign up for a ticket using this link. We look forward to seeing you.

Waggoners Campsite has had a roaring summer under the expert eye of Sonja our Campsite Manager. Although we have banned firepits for obvious reasons, campers have enjoyed the views, the sun, the cold refreshing showers, local walks and tours and the Waggoners happy vibe. We are still open until the end of September so do book now via the website.

Cold refreshing showers have also been the order of the day at The Waggon Sauna, our woodfired 8-person sauna with the most heavenly views over the Surrey Hills. Elenid our Sauna Manager has welcomed visitors from far and wide and the reviews speak for themselves. If you have not yet tried a sauna, now is the time. Loads of parking, a three-minute woodland walk to The Waggon and a warm welcome will convince you of your good decision.

To recap, Beef Day on Friday 25th September at Hampton, GU10 1JE with tea, coffee and cake from 10.30am,  The Final Hurrah Hop Party on Monday 7th September (beer, baps and tours) from 6.30pm  and we look forward to seeing as many as possible at both.

Very best wishes

Bill and Bridget