Our Woodland Christmas Turkeys

It’s Christmas at Downlands and our woodland bronze turkeys have once again enjoyed five acres of woodlands on the Estate. Living beneath the canopy and foraging throughout autumn, their days were spent exploring, scratching and feeding on a diverse natural diet of nuts, berries and insects, a way of life that closely mirrors their natural habitat.

Ranging between 5kg and 10kg, a Downlands turkey grows slowly and remains active, developing a firmer texture and a more complex, deeper flavour. During autumn, the nuts they forage help build intramuscular fat, resulting in meat that is succulent, rich and full of character and exactly what you want at the centre of a Christmas dinner.

James Gilboy, Farmer and Steward of Downlands Farm, says:  “This is our second year rearing turkeys at Downlands Farm, and after selling out last Christmas, we’ve increased our numbers for 2025 while staying true to our values of high welfare. The response to our woodland turkeys has been incredibly encouraging, and it’s a real testament to the flavour and quality that comes from raising birds slowly in a natural environment. We’re also proud that in 2025 our turkeys are being served at Brown’s Hotel restaurant Charlie’s Mayfair, which reflects a growing appreciation from both home cooks and leading kitchens for produce that has a genuine sense of place and provenance.”

Choosing a Downlands turkey means supporting a local Hampshire farm and a way of farming that restores the countryside rather than depleting it. It also means serving a Christmas bird that truly reflects the care, time and environment that went into raising it. Our produce is sold in partnership with The Ethical Butcher, ensuring transparency, traceability and the highest standards from field to fork.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and for those with a Downlands turkey, thank you for your support.