Pippa and James Matthews sell Bucklebury Farm after years of financial woes

Pippa and James Matthews have sold Bucklebury Farm for £1.3 million after years of financial struggles. The couple, who purchased the site in 2021, had hoped to transform it into a profitable business and family attraction. However, mounting debts and failed expansion plans led to the decision to sell. The farm faced serious financial difficulties from the start. By 2025, it had accumulated a debt of £807,543 and was losing six figures annually. In an attempt to turn things around, the Matthews submitted plans to build a nursery on the land. The local council rejected the proposal, citing concerns over traffic congestion raised by the highways authority.

Criticism also came from the community. Some locals dismissed the project as a 'snooty cash grab,' arguing it catered only to a wealthy crowd. Visitors to the farm’s zoo had previously complained about steep ticket prices since the Middleton family took over.

With no viable solution to the farm’s financial troubles, the couple opted to sell. The £1.3 million deal marks the end of their involvement with Bucklebury Farm. The sale severs all ties between the Matthews and the farm. The new owners will take over a property that has struggled financially for years. The future of the site remains uncertain, though the nursery plans have been abandoned.