Since 2021, Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz have been living out a dream many city dwellers only fantasize about: swapping the bright lights of television for the rolling hills of the English countryside. Their journey began with the purchase and transformation of 120 acres in Wincle, near Macclesfield in Cheshire, into a bustling, family-led farm. Over the past four years, the Fletchers have not only cultivated crops and raised livestock, but also shared their rural adventures with the public, both through social media and their popular ITV series, Fletchers’ Family Farm.
The farm quickly became a beloved destination, especially during the festive season. In 2023, the Fletchers hosted their first Christmas event, dazzling visitors with a marquee adorned with a lush greenery archway, a giant snow globe, and a piano perched outside Santa’s grotto. Giant nutcracker dolls flanked the entrance, while inside, Santa himself sat opposite a roaring fire, enchanting children and adults alike. According to Entertainment Daily, this immersive holiday experience marked the beginning of what would become an annual tradition, drawing families from across the region.
By Christmas 2025, the Fletchers had taken their yuletide celebrations to new heights. As detailed on the farm’s website, guests now embark on a tractor ride through the whimsically named Candy Cane Lane, where “sparkling decorations glow, and playful elves pop out from behind the trees to greet you.” The adventure continues with the chance to join the farm’s “merry band of elves,” participate in the Elf’s Workshop to craft Christmas goodies, toast marshmallows by a fire in an enchanted woodland, and, of course, meet Santa at his grotto. Social media posts in December showcased presents piled high and a green archway festooned with giant bows and twinkling lights, giving a taste of the event’s magical atmosphere.
But running a family farm—especially one open to the public—hasn’t been all sleigh bells and snow globes. The Fletchers have faced their share of criticism, particularly regarding the cost of their Christmas extravaganza. Back in 2023, the Manchester Evening News reported that prices ranged from £18-£20 for children up to 18 months, £48-£54 for children aged 1-15, and £24-£28 for those 16 and over, depending on the date chosen. Some families voiced frustration on social media, saying the event was “far too dear” and joking that it was only accessible to “upper-class Tories” and celebrities. One family claimed a visit would set them back £140.
Despite the outcry, prices have not decreased. As of 2025, a family ticket (one adult and one child) costs £96, with extra child and adult tickets at £48 each, and an additional child under one costing £8. While these prices have sparked debate, the Fletchers seem committed to maintaining the high standards and immersive experiences that set their event apart. The farm’s festive celebrations have grown in both ambition and popularity, with tickets selling out quickly and families eager to experience the winter wonderland firsthand.
Amid the festivities and farm work, the Fletchers faced an unexpected and devastating setback in October 2024. While the family of six—Kelvin, Liz, and their four children—were away from the farm, a fire broke out at their beloved farmhouse. The blaze rendered their home uninhabitable, forcing them to seek temporary accommodation and leaving them physically and emotionally displaced for over a year. The aftermath, as Liz candidly shared during the season three finale of Fletchers’ Family Farm, was grueling. “These things, dealing with the fire, it takes so much longer than you can ever imagine. It's a full-time job trying to go through the whole process, the surveys, everything that needs to be done. As well as then, we haven't even started the point of clearing the house out and actually making a start on that building work.”
Throughout this challenging period, the family’s resilience was tested. Kelvin described the hardest part as feeling “so disconnected as a family.” The farm, once a symbol of their unity and shared purpose, became a place they could only visit, not truly inhabit. Yet, their determination to return never wavered.
Finally, in December 2025, the Fletchers took a major step toward reclaiming their rural life. During the season three finale of their show, Kelvin announced, “As far as big days go, this one's huge. We're taking delivery of our new lodge, the final step in getting us back living on the farm after a year of renting following a fire in the farmhouse.” The new lodge—a “posh caravan,” as Liz light-heartedly called it—offered a temporary but crucial solution. “The thought of being back at the farm 24/7, it just feels like the best feeling,” she said, expressing both relief and excitement for what lay ahead.
Returning to the farm, even in a temporary home, was a milestone for the family. Kelvin reflected, “After everything we've been through this year, the hardest part has been feeling so disconnected as a family. Being back on the farm brings us back together again and we couldn't be happier.” For Liz, the lodge was not just about convenience—it was about healing. “It'll just take the edge off of the upset of the fire I think and when we do the renovation, we're here, we're on site, we're back. We're back on the farm.”
Of course, adapting to life in a lodge with four children presented its own set of challenges. Kelvin acknowledged this in a voiceover: “It's been a long road but our dream of returning to the farm is finally taking shape. But before we dig in, we've got to adapt to lodge living and with four kids in tow, that's a whole new kind of challenge.” Liz echoed the sentiment, noting, “It's not your average caravan but there's six of us.”
Despite the setbacks, the Fletchers’ story is one of perseverance and optimism. Their Christmas special, Fletchers’ Family Farm at Christmas, aired on December 28, 2025, on ITV and ITVX, offering viewers a glimpse into both the magic of their festive farm and the reality of rebuilding after disaster. As Kelvin teased in a November interview with Lorraine Kelly, “Speaking of Christmas, we’ve just come back from filming a Christmas special. So, I won’t give no spoilers here, I’ll get in trouble! But, we’ve just been filming a Christmas special in preparation for our own Christmas event here.”
The Fletchers’ journey—from city lights to country nights, from fire and loss to festive renewal—resonates with anyone who has faced adversity and found strength in family. Their story, set against the backdrop of a magical winter wonderland, is a reminder that even after the harshest storms, the spirit of home can be rebuilt, one step—and one celebration—at a time.
