Between Colyton and Honiton
www.smallicombe.com  Top quality self-catering and B&B accommodation nr Honiton in Devon - The West Country

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E-mail: maggie_todd@yahoo.com Tel: 01404 831310
Northleigh, Colyton, Honiton, Devon, EX24 6BU.

The Smallicombe Herd is made up of three breeds of Rare Breed Pigs: Berkshire, Middle White & British Lop The herd was set up nearly twenty five years ago when Ian and Maggie moved to Smallicombe Farm in Devon. The farm is in an idyllic setting yet close to the coast between Lyme Regis and Sidmouth. They started the pig herd along with a flock of Dorset Down sheep and sucker cows originally Jerseys , followed by Dexters and now pedigree Ruby Devons. The original aim was to be self sufficient in good quality meat from a guaranteed source to feed their young family. This still remains one of their aims and now extends to grandchildren. One of their daughters, Karen has returned to the farm along with her husband and daughter Megan. The pigs started with a small group of cross bred weaners bought to drink surplus milk and the residue from cheese and clotted cream making. These pigs were such a success that they were replaced after a fairly shortly time by breeding  pigs. The first breed to be chosen were the Berkshires which still remain firm favourites for not only their meat quality and flavour but also their temperament. The Berkshires were followed by British Lops and Middle Whites. The Lops originated from the west country and are now along with the Middle Whites the rarest of the native British breeds. These fit in very well with the business of a farmhouse B&B. The guests have the opportunity of enjoying the best bacon they will ever have tasted along with sausages made from rare breed pork. The sausages have won best sausage at Royal Smithfield and several times at Devon County, quite an accolade for a small scale breeder. The Middle White breed have only some 200 sows left in the UK and are such characters that they remain in the herd. Maggie is now a judge for the BPA, the British Lop society and the Kune Kune breeders. Ian has been running pig keeping course for many years to pass on his long experience in pig keeping. For more information on the breeds please follow the links below. Berkshire Pigs    Middle White Pigs    British Lop Pigs   Piggy Weekends/Courses