Trevathan is a working farm and has been farmed by the Symons family since 1850. In recent times the farm buildings had become unsuitable for modern farming methods so they have been restored and converted into stone holiday cottages. We started in 1984 and now have 11 cottages at Trevathan.
We still farm and have about 100 sheep, a herd of pedigree South Devon cattle, and a variety of crops are grown on the 300 acres. We also have a pick-your-own business which started with just strawberries but now we grow a wide range of soft fruit and vegetables which we sell in the farm shop and use in our tearoom.
It is a real family business. Mark and Jo are the 5th generation of Symons’ to farm at Trevathan and live in the farmhouse with their 3 children Grace, Oliver and William. Shirley, Mark’s mother, who established the cottages and farm shop, still plays an important part in the business, from helping out in the shop to looking after the children. Mark’s sister is also involved, Sarah does the book-keeping.
