Farm bids to diversify with new burial ground

Castle View Farm has been in the Goodson family since the 1950s

A family have transformed their working farm into a burial ground in a bid to diversify.

Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire, has been in the Goodson family since the 1950s but received planning permission in 2021 to turn one of its fields into a natural burial ground.

The ground spans over 10 acres and can accommodate approximately 7,500 burial plots.

Clair Goodson, who runs the farm alongside her husband James, says all farms are having to think of ways to vary their offering.

She told the BBC: "When we farmed this field we knew it wasn't going to be a productive field so we preferred to do something different.

"We thought a burial ground would be lovely because it is so peaceful and quiet here but it was mainly for the views, they are wonderful."

The farm overlooks the Vale of Belvoir with views of Belvoir Castle on a clear day.

"I think farming is really tough. You are against the weather and this is an easier way of bringing in some income from a field," Ms Goodson said.

"It wasn't a great field to grow crops before because we are in heavy clay. But this sort of thing suits it.

"All farmers have got to diversify into something. We all have to think of ways to do that, whether that be hospitality or renting out sheds. This is just another way."

The site was used as a farm originally

The couple, who run the 330-acre farm with support from their two children Emily and George, said they were committed to caring for their environment.

"We set 93 trees here so when they grow, we want to put bat boxes and owl boxes in," Ms Goodson said.

"We have got hedgehog boxes. We have a family of nine hares now which we have never had before. It has been massive.

"There is so much more biodiversity now than if we just had crops."

Now the family are hoping the burial ground proves a popular choice with people.

"No-one wants to talk about death but I feel like more people are now," Ms Goodson said.

"I find that this is a nicer alternative than maybe the churchyard or crematorium because they know they can come and visit a nice place.

"We hope it will continue to be busy, it is a fairly new venture so we still have a lot of space.

"It is a permanent fixture though. It will be here for our children and probably their children as well."