How an 8ha field generates over 50% of farm income
© Ashley Jones A 8ha field is generating more than 50% of farm business income at Ashley Jones’s 360ha farm in Cornwall, thanks to an array of farm diversifications.
What started out as a maize maze in 2006 has since evolved into a fun farm attraction, which is home to the UK’s fastest and longest slip ’n’ slide.
The latest addition to the fun farm will be a pick-your-own tulip experience and a themed family day out, known as Spring Fest, where visitors will be able to get up close to the farm’s sheep flock at lambing time.
See also: Farmers Weekly Awards 2025: Farmer of the Year
Open all year
Ashley Jones © Emily Fleur
“Our aim is to be open all year round, so we’re looking to extend what we offer to the public throughout the seasons,” says Ashley.
He was crowned the 2025 Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year, as well as winning the Mixed Farmer of the Year Award.
Things are kicking off earlier this year with Spring Fest, followed by the summer slip ’n’ slide, maize maze and new sunflower maze.
The pumpkin patch will return in the autumn, with future plans for a farm-themed Christmas grotto in the winter.
“We always try to add something new each year. We’ve got to keep things fresh, keep things improving, and keep people wanting to come back.”
When Ashley’s parents took over the farm tenancy in 2006, there had previously been a maize maze on-site, but this had been out of action for a couple of years, so they decided to get it going again.
Since then, the attraction has gained in popularity, where visitor numbers peaked during the Covid lockdowns.
This summer will be the third year the slip n’ slide has been in place at Smeaton Farm. Ashley’s interest was ignited after drilling a maize maze field for a friend based in West Cornwall, who also had a slip n’ slide.
“We got chatting and thought it could be a good idea for ourselves on the home farm,” he says.
“However, we soon realised we were faced with a very hefty insurance bill, which nearly put the brakes on the whole idea,” says Ashley.
Fortunately, after working closely with their insurance provider, it was made achievable.
The fun farm now has 30 staff on the books, who are all first-aid trained. During peak summer, up to 15 staff members are required on-site – including three to five lifeguards.
About 80% of Ashley’s customer base are locals, and a strong percentage of customers are repeat visitors.
“We are now seeing returning customers who first came to visit us in 2006 as kids, now bringing their own families. It’s great to see,” he says.
Upcoming projects
This year brings the new tulip patch, where 0.8ha of tulips were planted using a Massey Ferguson potato planter, and will be ready for April.
“We’ve already sold out our first wave of tickets and have released a second wave, which is selling well,” he says.
Future projects include setting up an on-site café and restaurant.
“We’ve got to keep pushing and developing new ideas because we want our customers to return.”
The farm is also home to a luxury award-winning B&B, with four suites located in the traditional Cornish farmhouse.
Soya-free cattle finishing diets achieved
Last summer, Ashley achieved his goal of feeding a completely soya-free beef cattle finishing ration to his herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle.
All soya was replaced with home-grown spring beans, which he says has worked well.
“It goes to show eradicating soya from livestock diets is achievable. We’re growing more home-grown protein. It also saves significant expenditure on purchased concentrates.”
The beans have an important place in the arable rotation, helping to reduce grassweeds and fixing valuable nitrogen for the following crop.
“We had some leftover beans which we are now finishing lambs on and they seem to be doing well,” says Ashley.
The 2026 Farmers Weekly Awards
The 2026 Farmers Weekly Mixed Farmer of the Year Award is sponsored by Kirkby Tyres.
