When Clara Campbell-Beavis left a successful career in London’s luxury hotel industry, she never imagined she’d soon be running one of the region’s fastest-growing rural businesses.
What began as a side project designed to diversify a family farm has evolved into something much bigger: a thriving farm shop, café, glamping destination, events venue and community hub just outside Ely.
On the latest episode of Made in Ely, Clara shared the remarkable story behind Willow Grange Farm, the challenges of building a business through COVID, and why creating a genuine community space has become central to everything they do.
Growing Up on the Farm
For Clara, returning to farm life wasn’t a completely new adventure.
Having grown up in Chittering, just a few miles outside Ely, her childhood was spent riding ponies, helping around the farm and enjoying the freedom that comes with rural life.
“At the time it felt normal because I didn’t know any different,” Clara explained. “But looking back now, it was incredibly special.”
Those early experiences helped shape the work ethic that would later prove invaluable. Looking after animals, helping during harvest season and learning that farm life doesn’t stop when the weather turns bad all became lessons that stayed with her.
A Career in Luxury Hospitality
Before Willow Grange Farm became a reality, Clara spent more than 15 years building a successful career in hospitality.
Working her way through the industry, she eventually became Director of Sales at the prestigious Langham Hotel in London, specialising in luxury events, group bookings and client relationships.
The hospitality sector taught her far more than sales.
Customer service, problem-solving, people management and resilience would all become crucial skills when launching her own business.
“I absolutely loved hospitality,” she said. “No two days were ever the same.”
Little did she know how valuable those experiences would become.
The Wedding Venue That Changed Everything
The original vision for Willow Grange Farm was surprisingly modest.
After becoming engaged in 2018, Clara and her husband Errol planned to hold their own wedding reception on the family farm after marrying at Ely Cathedral.
Rather than simply erecting a marquee for one day, Clara saw an opportunity.
Why not create a venue that other couples could enjoy too?
The plan was simple: develop a small wedding venue and events business as a side project while continuing their careers in London.
Then COVID arrived.
Instead of slowing things down, demand exploded.
With traditional wedding venues facing restrictions and uncertainty, couples were drawn to outdoor spaces and flexible venues. Willow Grange Farm suddenly found itself booked months in advance.
What had been intended as a gradual side hustle quickly became a full-time business.
“It went from zero to one hundred almost overnight,” Clara recalled.
Building a Business Through Change
Like many entrepreneurial journeys, Willow Grange Farm hasn’t followed a straight line.
The business initially centred around weddings and glamping, but circumstances eventually led Clara and the team to rethink their direction.
At the same time, the family was looking for ways to create a sustainable future for the farm itself.
As a working farm producing beef and pork, Clara recognised an opportunity to connect farming, hospitality and retail in a way that would allow visitors to experience farm life more directly.
In early 2024, the decision was made.
Willow Grange Farm would launch a farm shop and café.
By March the plans were announced.
The café opened in July.
The farm shop followed in October.
The speed of execution was remarkable, but so was the response from customers.
More Than Just a Farm Shop
Today, Willow Grange Farm has become one of the area’s most popular destinations.
Visitors can enjoy homemade cakes, freshly prepared brunches, locally sourced produce and meat raised on the farm itself.
Quality sits at the centre of everything.
The café menu is prepared from scratch, while the butchery gives customers a direct connection to the source of their food.
“We wanted people to know where their food comes from,” Clara explained.
That authenticity is part of what makes Willow Grange Farm different.
The chickens roam freely.
The cows and calves are visible from the café.
Pregnant pigs and newborn animals are simply part of everyday farm life.
Rather than creating a polished visitor attraction, Clara wanted visitors to experience a genuine working farm.
Community at the Heart of the Business
One of the most striking parts of Clara’s story is how strongly she believes in supporting local businesses and fostering community.
The farm shop stocks products from independent producers.
The venue hosts workshops and events run by local entrepreneurs.
Fitness instructors, wellness practitioners, artisan makers and small businesses all regularly use the space.
Recent initiatives include:
- Supper clubs with local chef Ben Sulston
- Wellness and fitness festivals
- Networking events
- Artisan markets
- Seasonal celebrations
- Farm tours and family events
The aim is simple: create a space where everyone feels welcome.
Whether it’s a local business owner holding a workshop, a family visiting for brunch, or regular customers making Willow Grange part of their weekly routine, the community element has become one of the farm’s greatest strengths.
The Challenges Behind the Scenes
While the success is visible, Clara was refreshingly honest about the realities of running a growing business.
Long hours, staffing challenges, technical issues and constant problem-solving all come with the territory.
One recurring challenge?
Power outages.
From weddings disrupted by electrical failures to café operations affected by blown fuses, Clara admitted that electricity has become her unexpected nemesis.
Yet she approaches those challenges with the same mindset many business owners will recognise.
“When it’s your own business, you just do what needs to be done.”
It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the entrepreneurial journey.
Looking Ahead
The story of Willow Grange Farm is still being written.
Alongside the farm shop, café and glamping accommodation, Clara is now exploring new wellness offerings, additional events and further collaborations with local businesses.
Several exciting projects are already in development, although Clara remained tight-lipped about the details.
What is clear, however, is that Willow Grange Farm has evolved into far more than a farm.
It’s become a destination, a community hub and an example of how local businesses can grow while staying true to their roots.
Visit Willow Grange Farm
Located just outside Ely on the A10 between Ely and Cambridge, Willow Grange Farm offers:
- Farm shop
- Café and brunch menu
- Traditional butchery
- Glamping accommodation
- Seasonal events
- Workshops and markets
- Wellness experiences
Whether you’re stopping by for a coffee, stocking up on local produce or attending one of their growing number of events, Willow Grange Farm has quickly become one of the most exciting independent businesses in the Ely area.
And if Clara’s journey proves anything, it’s that sometimes the best opportunities are waiting right where you started.
You can find the full events calendar, opening times etc at https://willowgrangefarm.co.uk/ or find her on Instagram here.
You can listen to the full episode of the Made in Ely podcast here via Ely Work Collective Podcast.
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