About Tenantry Farm
A landscape shaped by history
Chalk downland
Family legacy since 1952
Caring for Tenantry
Tenantry Farm is where Salisbury Plain meets Cranborne Chase, on the border of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Evidence of human occupation going back to pre-history is all around; the Romans lived and farmed on this land. In the 17th Century, Tenantry was owned by the Earls of Shaftesbury, and grazed by local shepherds’ flocks, hence the farm’s name. At this time the farm was uncultivated chalk downland which ran from here to Rockbourne.
In the early 20th century Lord Shaftesbury sold much of his land in the area, including Tenantry. The present arable farm is largely a result of the ‘Dig for Victory’ effort during the Second World War. The Dairy buildings were constructed around this time and are now the centre for much of the activity on the farm.
The farm came into the current owners’ family in 1952, when it was purchased by Michael Richardson in his position as manager of the Downton Tanning Company. When the company was sold, Michael bought the farm himself. With a long-term vision for the land, he planted 150,000 beech trees — which now define the landscape of the farm today. His commitment to tree planting and stewardship reflected a deep respect for the land, marking him as a conservationist well ahead of his time.
Rob McLeod and his family have lived on the farm since 1972 and cared for Tenantry as a thriving arable enterprise and equestrian venue ever since, whilst safeguarding its soils and wildlife and planting over ten miles of hedges. Since 2026, two of Michael Richardson’s grand daughters – Isabel and Eleanor Milner - have been involved in the running of the farm, while Rob continues to live in the farmhouse. The farm’s day to day Manager is Joe Burch who started at Tenantry in 2016.
The farm is part of one the UK’s largest conservation ‘cluster’s, which stretches over nearly 60,000 acres, and we are also part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Grandfather
Rob
Isabel
Joe
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