Princess Catherine’s sister expands Bucklebury Farm with early childhood
project
Pippa Middleton is set to follow in her sister Princess Catherine’s footsteps
with a new early childhood initiative, as she and husband James Matthews
receive official approval to open a nursery at their £1.5 million Bucklebury
Farm in Berkshire.
The project, which echoes the Princess of Wales’s long-standing advocacy for
children’s early years, had initially faced resistance from local highway
authorities over fears it would bring excessive traffic to the quiet village.
Officials had even recommended rejecting the proposal earlier this year.
However, according to Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, the plan has now been given
the green light, with council members citing the “strong social benefits” of
the nursery and pointing to a shortage of early years education places in the
region.
The development aligns closely with Catherine’s work through her Royal
Foundation Center for Early Childhood, where she champions the importance of
nurturing children during their formative years.
Bucklebury Farm, a family-friendly attraction since 1992, is already home to a
44-acre deer park, café, children’s play area, glamping pods, and a popular
petting zoo — reportedly a favorite spot for Prince George during visits to
his grandparents. The new nursery will add to its offerings, providing a
pre-school facility for local children.
While concerns over traffic once threatened to derail the project, planning
committee members ultimately voted in their favor after debate. The approval
marks a significant milestone for the couple’s vision of making Bucklebury
Farm not just a leisure destination, but a hub for early learning and
community support.
