What Romy did next...

Romy Fraser is the teacher-turned-businesswoman who founded Neal's Yard Remedies, in 1981. Then a few years ago she bowed out and sold the business, and we've been awaiting her next adventure with interest. It's Trill Farm: 300 acres of organic farm near Axminster in Devon, where she's set up a centre offering all manner of interesting courses, as well as a simply-designed guest house and camping (for groups, minimum size 10; NB: camping, not glamping).

The courses range from seasonal yoga retreats to beekeeping, and how to make everything from cosmetics to natural willow baskets. There's a seasonal nutrition course, too, and everything reflects Romy's passion for all things natural.

The fabulous Daphne Lambert, founder of Greencuisine, is now creating the food to share with people who stay at Trill (and that's exciting in itself).

The whole place is deeply restful, secluded - definitely a destination for anyone who wants to stop the world and get off.

But if your busy life doesn't allow for that, there are some rather wonderful shopportunities - from sheepskins to candles, teas to soaps, honey to flour, generally Soil Association-certified and created/harvested seasonally from the farm. (Our favourite: the Self Heal Salve/£2.75 for 7.5 g - buy here.)

So good on you, Romy, for this next chapter...

Trill Farm