Project

A deluxe limited edition of Michael Morpurgo's memoir, Down Burrow Lane: Life and Love on the Farm.

Overview

A landmark special edition of Michael Morpurgo’s beautiful new memoir
Exquisite, specially commissioned woodcut illustrations by Robin Mackenzie.
Highly-desirable deluxe, foiled and clothbound hardback volume with slipcase

The Brief

We partnered with the team at Tall House Creative to create a stunning limited edition of Michael Morpurgo’s memoir, Down Burrow Lane: Life and Love on the Farm.

The book project was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Farms for City Children, the charity founded in 1976 by Clare and Michael Morpurgo. In a life-affirming story that brings poetry, people and purpose together, Michael shares the adventures that brought him and his wife Clare on a journey from literary London to the heart of Devon.

Farms for City Children was founded to give children the chance to discover the joy of spending time in nature and to understand they belong to a wider world. Since welcoming the first visitors to Nethercott House in Devon fifty years ago, more than 105,000 children and young people have grown happier, healthier and more connected to nature through unforgettable stays on the farms.

The Execution

The deluxe limited edition is a beautiful foiled, clothbound Royal hardback volume with a ribbon marker and slipcase. We worked with art director Goldy Broad on the design and commissioned artist and printmaker Robin Mackenzie to create 14 original wood engravings exclusively for this edition. He spent time at Nethercott Farm sketching on location before returning to his studio to create the most beautiful wood engravings of farm scenes which were printed off the wood blocks in dark velvety black ink, to stunning effect.

The beautiful, finished book feels artisan and handcrafted, perfectly reflecting the themes of nature, love, thoughtfulness and relationships that are the keynotes of Michael and Clare’s story.

A limited run of 550 copies was printed in Wales by award-winning Gomer Press, a fourth-generation family business that specialises in high-quality colour printing.

The Results

Each of the 550 copies was numbered and signed by Michael and Clare and the book was launched at a magical evening at Goodwood House in June with a second champagne reception that will take place in the gardens of Netherwood Estate on 24th July.

All royalties from Down Burrow Lane are going to Farms for City Children. Copies are available to purchase exclusively at: https://morpurgo1976.com/

Tickets to the special celebration event at Netherwood Estate are still available to purchase at: 2026 Events — Netherwood Estate

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