It happened almost by accident.

Two TB outbreaks had devastated the Shorthorn Herd and John (my grandfather) purchased some Jersey cattle from his cousin, Norman Cooper, who owned the famous Hursley Herd and this was when the Hiltonbury Herd was established.

Various additions from other well-known herds, including Catteshall and Paxford, enhanced the breeding. A new parlour and cubicle house enabled the herd to expand to 70, in 1970.

In 1976, John retired and the herd was moved to Velmore Farm, Chandlers Ford, under the ownership of his daughter, Heather, and son-in-law Gordon, the herd then grew to 185 cows plus followers with the same landlord.

Oliver bought the remaining group of eight in-calf heifers with the Hiltonbury prefix and started farming in his own right in 2003, with several Holsteins, at Longdown Dairy Farm, Totton, Southamptom, with a different landlord. The Holsteins were soon sold and the Hiltonbury Herd expanded with additions from some selected herds such as Barnowl, IJB, Pierrepont, Wellhead and Wotton.

In 2004 the herd was moved to Uplands Farm, Botley. This was let via the Hampshire County Council, although the herd moved again in 2019, as Uplands Farm will undergo development.

The herd is at present 130 milking, with 110 young stock and is now at Attwoods Drove Farm, Compton, Winchester.