Countryfile star Adam Henson has revealed that he came close to losing his home, farm, and livelihood during the devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001. The 55-year-old presenter and his wife Charlotte had invested heavily in their Cotswold Farm Park in Cheltenham, only for the epidemic to strike just before its planned opening.
In a 2016 interview, Henson detailed the financial peril they faced. The outbreak led to the slaughter of millions of animals and severely impacted both farming and tourism. Henson recalled that the bank demanded repayment of loans totalling approximately £250,000, which had been used for machinery and the farm park development.
“We had a big rent bill but all our assets were tied up in sheep and tractors,” Henson said. “We couldn't take sheep to market because they were all shut. We couldn't have farm sales because nobody was allowed on our farm.” The couple lived in a rented farmhouse on the property and faced losing everything.
A small insurance payout provided a lifeline, and they eventually managed to open the farm park. Henson later secured a role on Countryfile, which gave the family a significant financial boost. He credited his partner’s encouragement for applying during a presenter search, despite his initial reluctance.
Today, Cotswold Farm Park operates as a working farm and visitor attraction, offering rare breed viewing, milking demonstrations, and nature walks. Henson continues to feature on Countryfile, having joined the programme after the crisis.
