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From the farm

Alongside Indie Farmer, our work is rooted in a small family farm in East Sussex.

Founder Nigel Akehurst is a third-generation farmer who returned home in 2014 to help care for cattle and sheep, while building a more direct relationship between farm and customer.

What began as a small experiment has grown steadily, connecting people with the land their food comes from through meat boxes and monthly farm gate sales.

Sussex meat boxes

We offer a limited number of Sussex beef and lamb meat boxes throughout the year, produced from livestock raised on pasture and finished slowly for flavour.

Our cattle include native-breed Sussex cows and Angus × Sussex crosses, most of which graze the SSSI Pevensey Marshes, carrying out conservation grazing in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust.

10kg beef box – £160

A typical box includes:

  • Sirloin steak (450-500g)
  • Rump steak (450-500g)
  • Selection of slow cooking cuts (Shin of beef, Chuck steak, Braising 500g each)
  • Rib of beef or brisket (1–1.5kg)
  • Two other roasting joints (Topside, Silverside or Top rump 1–1.5kg each)
  • 5–6 × 500g packs of mince

All beef is grass-fed, minimum 21-day dry-aged, vacuum packed, clearly labelled and delivered chilled or frozen (note: individual weights are approximate).

5kg beef box – £85

A typical box includes:

  • Sirloin or rump steak (450-500g)
  • Slow-cooking cuts such as shin, chuck or braising steak (500g)
  • One or two roasting joints (topside, silverside or top rump, 1–1.5kg each)
  • 2–3 × 500g packs of mince

We usually release one to two batches of boxes per month, with availability limited.

Lamb boxes

We also offer half and whole lamb boxes from our Suffolk Mule flock.

  • Half lamb — £160
  • Whole lamb — £300

Boxes include a wide range of cuts such as shoulders, legs, chops, mince and offal, with options to keep joints whole or split.

Availability is seasonal and numbers are limited.

How to reserve a box

Because we farm at a small scale, all boxes are reserved in advance.

When a batch is ready, we’ll share:

  • box options and prices
  • collection or delivery dates
  • reservation deadlines

To reserve:

  1. Register your interest via email or complete the reservation form
  2. We’ll confirm availability and details
  3. Payment is arranged ahead of collection or delivery

This helps us plan processing carefully and avoid waste.

For questions, you can always email hello@indiefarmer.com.

Monthly beef & cheese farm-gate sales

We hold a monthly farm-gate sale at Hockham Farm, usually on a Saturday morning (10am to 1pm).

These days bring together:

  • individual cuts of beef and lamb
  • meat box collections
  • cheese from the Pevensey Cheese Company, also based at the family farm

Cheese available includes Pevensey Blue and Tilley Lane, both produced on site.

Farm-gate sales are relaxed, friendly occasions — a chance to collect food, chat, and buy directly from the people producing it.

Card payments are accepted.

Upcoming dates and availability are shared here and via the newsletter.

Upcoming dates

  • Saturday 14th March
  • Saturday 18th April
  • Saturday 16th May
  • Saturday 20th June
  • Saturday 18th July
  • Saturday 15th August (No cheese, only meat)
  • Saturday 19th September
  • Saturday 17th October
  • Saturday 14th November
  • Saturday 19th December

Address
Hockham Farm
Tilley Lane
Boreham Street
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 4UT

Delivery & collection

  • Free local delivery within 5 miles of the farm
  • Free collection from monthly farm-gate sales
  • Nationwide UK delivery via chilled courier (typically £17.50)

Stay in touch

Because availability changes with the seasons, the best way to hear about:

  • meat box releases
  • farm-gate sale dates
  • beef and cheese availability

is to join the Indie Farmer Meat box newsletter by clicking here

Thoughtful updates from the farm and the field — delivered occasionally, not constantly.