Watersplash

To reach this farmland in the tiny village of Plaitford today I needed to brave the watersplash which gives the village its name.

In fact the ford on the River Blackwater was barely a splash with the river water levels so low, although there have been times when I’ve seen it so flooded it is impassable by road.

Manor Farm, as it is known can be traced back to medieval times and historians believe it was once the site of a moated royal hunting lodge.

Today it is better known for its pedigree beef herd and pig farming and holds a coveted New Forest marque for its beef and pork sold directly from the farm.