Penrhiw farm has been owned by the Thomas family for at least four generations, and the farmhouse, dating back to at least 1600, is of the traditional Welsh long house type with a stone barn attached.
The land rises from 850 ft (at thefarm yard) to 1000 ft at the mountain gate which opens out onto the Merthyr and Gelligaer Common. The farm is mainly permanent grassland with a small area of forage crops which are grown to support the livestock in winter.   Penrhiw Farm attained organic status in 2001

A flock of purebred South Wales mountain sheep, known locally as Nelsons, was established fifty years ago. These ewes are renowned for their hardiness and tremendous natural mothering instincts and produce lambs of excellent flavour. A small number of Suffolk x South Wales Mountain ewes produce early lambs for the markets. This is to ensure we can provide fresh lamb all the year around.    

The herd of predominantly Aberdeen Angus suckler cows is bred with our pedigree Aberdeen Angus bulls. The calves are born in the spring and suckle their mothers for nine months. They spend the cold and wet winter months indoors and are then turned out onto fresh grass in the spring. Aberdeen Angus beef is renowned for its marbling, succulence and tenderness as well as a really good flavour.

A few changes have occurred over recent years. To expand the range of organic meat on offer, Penrhiw has linked up with Cefn Coed / Fforest Farm. Cefn Coed and Fforest Farm has been owned by the Hopkin family for 3 generations and is where Celia grew up with her siblings, Graham and Kath.   After a period when Fforest was rented out to a neighbouring farmer, the farm returned to family control in 2015.   Graham and his family took on the challenge of converting the land to a mixed organic livestock and arable farm.   Ffion has left school and works on Penrhiw and Cefn Coed as well as attending Coleg Sir Gar at Gelli Aur. Nanny Sheila has retired but still oversees all operations and is always a valuable source of advice (and practical help - at 87)

The limestone derived soils of the Border Vale are productive and good for grass and growing arable crops. They drain freely and spring comes earlier than at Penrhiw.   Welsh pigs, chickens - both laying hens and meat birds, a small herd of Welsh Black suckler cows, a flock of ewes and turkeys for Christmas have gradually been added as well as growing a range of cereal crops for feed.

Penrhiw Farm’s organic meat is all processed on the farm. The cattle and sheep are slaughtered in the Caerphilly Abattoir and the pigs in Maesteg at Maddock Kembury Meats.  They are brought back to Penrhiw to hang in our own cold room.

BEEF

Our Aberdeen Angus beef, derived from our suckler herd, is renowned for its marbling, succulence and tenderness as well as really good flavour.The carcases are hung in our own cold room for approx. 4 weeks. We offer a full range of roasting joints, steaks, mince and stewing steak. Our burgers are all hand made using fresh herbs and oats with no preservatives or flavouring added.  We occasionally have Welsh Black beef.

LAMB

Our South Wales Mountain sheep, known locally as Nelsons, produce lambs of excellent flavour. The Suffolk X South Wales Mountain ewes produce early lambs to ensure we can provide fresh lamb all year around. A leg of lamb from Penrhiw won a Gold Award in the Wales True Taste Award in 2011/12. A wide range of roasting joints as well as chops, racks and mince are available.

MUTTON

Our mutton is hung for at least 2 weeks and comes from ewes that are at least 2 years old. Many are much older - having come to the end of their reproductive lives. Some as old as 8 years!! Use mutton to make the most excellent stews and curries - the long cooking enhances the flavour of the spices.   A leg of mutton recently featured in the National Sheep Association's mutton tasting at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and was deemed the most flavoursome.   

PORK

Our pork comes from Welsh Pigs which are organically reared at Cefn Coed/Fforest. They roam freely outdoors, rooting around in the soil and enjoying life to the full. When the weather is bad they come indoors and enjoy deep straw beds. We sell a full range of roasting joints and chops, as well as bacon, gammon and sausages – plain pork; pork & apple, pork & leek; honey & mustard all made from natural ingredients. No artificial preservatives, flavourings or colours are used.

EGGS

A flock of organically reared hens freely roam. The brown eggs taste wonderful with lovely rich yellow yolks. Happy hens sing all day long as they scratch in the soil and eat grass.

CHICKENS

The demand for free range chicken has prompted the development of a small scale meat chicken rearing enterprise. A small on farm chicken abattoir has been organically approved and certified.   Organic chickens are now available weekly continuing the Hopkin tradition of rearing chickens for the table.  

​TURKEYS

At Christmas, free range organically reared bronze turkeys are a special treat

Penrhiw Farm attends various Farmers' Markets:
Orders Only each Saturday Usk Memorial Hall Car Park 9.00 am - 10.30 am

The following markets are not operating due to the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Rhiwbina in North Cardiff in the car park of the Butchers Arms every Friday morning from 10 - 1pm.

Riverside in Cardiff every Sunday in every month 10-2pm

Caerphilly Market in the Twyn Hall on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 9.30 - 1pm

Porthcawl market on every 4th Saturday from 9.30 - 12.30 pm

Home deliveries

Within a 5 mile radius of Penrhiw Farm or Cefn Coed - ring for details.

Collections from the farm

Open all hours! Ring first to make sure there is someone home.

You can contact Penrhiw and Cefn Coed via telephone or email.

Celia (Penrhiw) - 07796622441        John (Penrhiw) - 07775595036        House (Penrhiw) - 01443 412949

Celia Thomas email - penrhiworganic@gmail.com

Graham (Cefn Coed) - 07845940678       Cefn Coed email - graham_hopkin@sky.com

Click here to view a list of products that may be ordered online. Orders are forwarded to Penrhiw Farm who will arrange payment and order delivery/collection.