Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews have stepped away from Bucklebury Farm after mounting losses put pressure on the business. According to Hello Magazine, the couple bought the 72-acre site for about £1.3 million in 2021, but the farm’s debt had climbed to £807,543 by 2025. The property offered a wide mix of attractions, from animal encounters and a soft play area to a café and glamping tents. Seasonal activities, including Easter and Christmas events, added to its family appeal, but the numbers still appear to have worked against the venture.
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Pippa Middleton and James Matthews Face Rising Debt
The closure marks a difficult turn for a project that aimed to blend leisure, tourism and community use. The farm had plenty to draw visitors, including a safari park, petting areas and overnight stays, yet annual losses continued to build. That six-figure debt burden each year made the business increasingly hard to sustain. The couple had invested in a site with broad public appeal, but running costs and limited returns seem to have outweighed demand. Their exit now closes a chapter on one of the most visible private ventures linked to the Middleton family.
Nursery Plan Hit Trouble in West Berkshire
In an effort to improve the farm’s future, Pippa and James sought permission to build a nursery for children aged nine months to five years. The proposal was initially approved, but transport concerns soon became a major obstacle. Local highways officials objected over the likely increase in traffic in the area. In planning documents, the couple argued that the "diversification" of the site was "essential to securing the farm's future, enabling it to remain open to the public and continue offering educational and recreational opportunities for the community," according to Hello Magazine. The application was ultimately refused.
Local Criticism Added Pressure on the Business
Financial issues were not the only challenge. Opposition in the area had reportedly grown as some visitors questioned rising ticket prices and the direction of the site. The farm had once been seen as an accessible local attraction, but criticism suggested that image had shifted over time. That tension added another layer of difficulty for a business already under strain. While the venue still offered a broad range of activities for children and families, public support appeared less steady than before, making long-term recovery even harder for the couple to achieve.
The Middleton Family Keeps Deep Berkshire Roots
Before the sale, the farm formed part of Pippa’s wider £15 million, 150-acre estate in Berkshire, placing it within a broader family presence in the area. Carole and Michael Middleton live nearby at Bucklebury Manor, a Grade II-listed Georgian property with extensive grounds and leisure facilities. It was also the setting for Pippa and James’s 2017 wedding reception. Her brother James Middleton lives close as well with his wife Alizée Thevenet, their son Inigo and their dogs. Even with the farm chapter over, the family’s ties to Berkshire remain firmly in place.
