I’ve started this site to explore the different ways to live and work in the country. Having having moved to Bristol (hardly the biggest metropolis I know, but still a city) for university about 10 years ago. I had never dreamed of staying in the city forever, but lets face it, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for a ‘career minded’ young person to stay in the countryside in the UK today.

Things have changed quite a bit from the old days, my Dad took over our farm when he was 16. At that time there were around 15 people working on the farm at certain times of the year. He’s now in his late fifties and has worked alone on the farm for many years. I feel very lucky to have grown up in the country and I really love having that link back and being able to get away from the city when I’ve just had enough and need some space. But will it ever really be viable to move back and make a living in the country? That’s what I’m trying to find out, and what this blog is all about. I plan to go through all the options I can see and try and plan the future I want, an economically viable life in the countryside, where I grew up.

My aim is to fully examine all the different ways I can see of diversifying farm and land use in the UK, from planting poplar trees, to fishing lakes, to caravan parks, to cider orchards and vineyards. There are clearly plenty of options, but how do you choose between them and what will suit you best. On the other hand maybe ‘diversifying’ is not a good idea. If you’re not making money but your neighbour is perhaps you need to get your business skills in order. Simply changing your business might makes things worse rather than be the magic solution to all your problems. I’m lucky enough to be in a position to consider using the land to make a living, but i’m also really interested in looking at the new idea of remote working or tele-working and home working ideas and opportunities.