The farm’s origins date back to 1547 and has been farmed by only three families: the Fletchers (300 years); the Knights (100 years) and most recently, the Manduells; this concentration of ownership makes for a rich rural heritage.
As well as the farm, the family also own an adjacent campsite; holiday cottage; mobile pizza van and the Sawmill Cafe. Meat from the farm is available in the farmshops of the Sawmill and campsite and includes mutton, lamb, goat, and heritage pork. The farm’s meat also makes an appearance in the Sawmill’s menus and as pizza toppings from the mobile pizza van which visits local events. The family try to stock as much local produce from neighbouring businesses too, making Church Stile a hub that benefits visitors and local producers alike.
The Manduells farm two flocks of Herdwick ewes, one of three Cumbria-native sheep breeds, and also produce boer goats, wild venison and host a separate heritage pig business. The farm participates in environmental stewardship, including grazing on common land, protecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and promoting biodiversity via woodland, wildflower planting, bird and bat boxes. Julius Manduell is also the director of West Lakeland CIC, a grassroots, farmer-led nature recovery organisation created to support the future of upland farming.
Church Stile Farm exemplifies the synergy between agriculture, heritage, and tourism in Cumbria. It not only sustains traditional farming and environmental stewardship but also enriches the local economy through sustainable visitor experiences: making it a valuable asset for residents, business leaders, and visitors alike.