The farmhouse at Jamie's Farm Lewes is now Fonthill Farmhouse, named for the Sussex foundation that led funding to buy Allington Farm for the charity in 2025.

The farmhouse at Jamie’s Farm Lewes has a new name. On 2 October the charity renamed it Fonthill Farmhouse, after the Fonthill Foundation, the Sussex education charity that was lead funder when Jamie’s Farm bought Allington Farm outright in 2025.

A house sign and a permanent information board about the foundation were unveiled at the farm, according to the charity’s own account of the day.

Those at the unveiling included the Fonthill Foundation’s chief executive Ceetah Grieves, chair of trustees Victoria Henley and vice chair Maggie Lloyd, with Jamie’s Farm co-chief executive Jake Curtis, founder Tish Feilden and chair Philip Percival.

From tenant to owner

Jamie’s Farm opened the Lewes site to visiting groups in 2019, leasing Allington Farm from the Allington Trust for six years before buying it. In a post marking the purchase in June 2025, head of farm Sam Maynard named the Fonthill Foundation as lead funders, alongside social investment from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. He described the farmhouse as Grade II listed, with views of the South Downs, and the site as the charity’s first in the South East.

Aerial view of Allington Farm, with fields, farm buildings and woodland
Allington Farm from the air. Photo: supplied by Jamie's Farm

Buying the farm meant very little changed on the day, he wrote: “There were no fireworks, no popping of corks: we celebrated with a slice of chocolate cake (made, of course, by our young visitors) before heading out for an evening walk in the woods.”

The charity says that over the past year it has added new agricultural buildings at Allington Farm, which let young people work safely with the livestock.

What happens at the farm

Jamie’s Farm was founded by farmer Jamie Feilden and his mother Tish Feilden, a psychotherapist. Groups of young people who are struggling at school, at home or in their communities stay on a working farm and take part in the work: moving livestock, fencing, chopping logs and cooking.

The charity says it has worked with more than 20,000 young people since it started, around 2,700 of them at Lewes.

The farmhouse is where those visits start. “Located at the heart of the site, Fonthill Farmhouse is where young people from across the South East are welcomed into the rhythm and community of farm life,” the charity says.

A dark sign with white lettering reading Fonthill Farmhouse on an oak frame in front of the tile-hung farmhouse wall
The new Fonthill Farmhouse sign outside the farmhouse. Photo: supplied by Jamie's Farm

Why the name

The Fonthill Foundation’s endowment came from Fonthill Lodge School, and both charities link the gift to that school’s outdoor, therapeutic approach to education.

Jake Curtis, co-chief executive of Jamie’s Farm, said:

“The Fonthill Foundation’s support gave us the confidence and security to establish a permanent future for Jamie’s Farm in Lewes. Its commitment has enabled not only the purchase and development of the farm, but also direct access for young people from local schools to benefit from our programme. Naming the farmhouse after Fonthill is our way of recognising a partnership that will continue to make a lasting difference for many years to come. We are proud to carry forward the legacy of Fonthill Lodge School and feel privileged that the strong alignment between its ethos and that of Jamie’s Farm has inspired such a transformative donation.”

Ceetah Grieves, chief executive of the Fonthill Foundation, said:

“Jamie’s Farm felt like a very special fit for Fonthill. Over the years, we had seen first-hand the difference it can make to young people facing significant challenges, and the powerful sense of community it creates. When the opportunity arose to help secure a permanent home for Jamie’s Farm in Lewes, it felt like a wonderful way to carry forward the ethos that has always meant so much to Fonthill. For me personally, it is very moving to know that this place will continue to support young people for many years to come. To now see the Fonthill name on the farmhouse itself makes that especially meaningful. We are incredibly proud to have played a part in making this possible and grateful to everyone at Jamie’s Farm and our Board of Trustees for helping bring the project to life.”

The Fonthill Foundation says on its website that it is now moving to “a small number of significant Legacy Grants which will provide a lasting impact for young people into the future”, in place of its smaller grant programmes.

Places for local schools

Besides helping to buy and develop the farm, the foundation has for several years paid for schools in East Sussex and Brighton to send pupils on the Lewes residentials, the charity says.

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) is one of them, and its students go to the farm regularly. Jack Davies, BACA’s principal, said:

“Jamie’s Farm offers a truly transformative experience for our students. With 60% of our pupils eligible for pupil premium funding, many face significant challenges beyond the classroom. The Jamie’s Farm programme provides a safe and supportive environment in which our most vulnerable young people can build confidence, develop resilience, strengthen relationships and discover a greater sense of purpose. At BACA, we are committed to helping every student achieve a purposeful and fulfilling future, and Jamie’s Farm is an important partner in achieving that goal.”

What it means for you

  • Schools and youth workers in Lewes, East Sussex and Brighton can ask about bringing a group through the charity’s page for people who work with young people, or by emailing bookings@jamiesfarm.org.uk.
  • If you want to support the farm, Jamie’s Farm lists ways to help, including a monthly gift.
  • If you live nearby, this is the same Allington Farm, now owned by the charity rather than leased, and the farmhouse will carry the Fonthill name from now on.