Nestled between the main high street of Radlett and village of Letchmore Heath, lies 260 acres of land which comprises Battlers Green Farm.

Now home to more than a dozen stores including the long-established Battlers Green Farm Shop — set up in 1960 — the farm, in Common Lane, Radlett, is well-known for its cream teas and freshly baked cakes.

When Tom Haworth and his sons John and Paul found out, in the late 1950s, that their Lancashire dairy farm was going to be turned into a new housing development, they discovered Battlers Green Farm, in the rural village of Radlett and decided to move south.

Both sets of John and Paul’s grandparents had run their own dairy farms in Lancashire and had always sold their produce from the farm gates. Following in their footsteps, the Haworths set up camp in Common Lane and sold milk, eggs and cream to residents. At the farm, they also grew wheat and barley.

Later, as Paul started taking on more responsibility with the farm, it became apparent to him that the commercial side of the business needed expanding and the family set about converting one of the old barns into a farm shop.

In 1987 Tom retired and handed the reins over to his sons. With John more interested in the farming side and Paul keen to expand the commercial aspect, the men carved out roles for themselves which would develop the farm to its full potential.

But in 1989 John was killed in a road accident. To help Paul cope with the task of running such a business, Tom came out of retirement and father and son again worked side by side.

Together they decided in 1990 to sell the dairy herd and try their hand at the more lucrative area of breeding cattle for beef.

Meanwhile, the commercial side began to flourish. The popular farm shop outgrew its small barn and in was moved to a bigger building next door.

And working alongside architects, Paul sought to turn a collection of unused barns and feeding dens into a range of shops for the general public.

Planning permission was soon granted by Hertsmere Borough Council and over the past 14 years, Battlers Green Farm has firmly established on its grounds an extensive rural shopping village, now comprising 14 shops including a fishmongers, butchers, pet shop and tea rooms.

But Paul, 51, said: “I find it rather sad that working farms have gone but hope it will be something that isn’t forgotten.

“To young people it seems like history but to me it’s in my lifetime. I used to do horse-drawn milk rounds.”

The farm remains home to many animals including cows, horses and sheep. But six years ago, the farming side of maintaining the land was handed over to a neighbouring farmer and following the death of Paul’s father last year, he has dedicated himself to running the shopping village.

Paul is aware that times have changed for farming in this country.

He said: “In the Seventies the government was doing all it could to produce food at a low price. Farmers were part of it but we weren’t part of creating it.

“But now everyone is more conscious of animal welfare.We are in the public eye so it is very important to farm responsibly.”