By Press Release
The ever-popular Bluebell Café and Briddlesford Farm Shop reopened on Monday, after closing for redecoration and refurbishment, and now has an even more welcoming feel.
Although the land at Briddlesford Lodge Farm has been in agricultural use since at least Doomsday times, this year marks the centenary of the land being farmed by the Griffin family.
It was in 1923 that Charles Griffin left his tenancy on a farm in Adgeston and walked across the downs with his animals, family and all their worldly possessions to start a new life at Briddlesford.
Charles’ great-grandson, Paul Griffin, farms the land today, with an award-winning herd of 140 Guernsey cows, all descended from the 15 cows that made the journey with Charles one hundred years ago. The dairy plant processes milk from other farms for the Isle of Wight Milk brand and their own extra-creamy Briddlesford Farm Guernsey milk.
Other family members work across the business. Paul’s wife, Chris, runs Bluebells and the educational side of the farm; his sister, Louise, manages the well-stocked farm shop and parents, Richard and Judi, are still involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, the B&B and manage all the paperwork.
Paul said: “We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for our centenary year at Briddlesford, so we wanted to start the year by making sure the shop and café were looking their best.
“We are now open for business again and we are all looking forward to seeing all our regular customers and welcoming new ones.”
Pictured: The welcoming cafe and outside seating area
Tilly Walder 
Mal Butler