Pippa Middleton and her hedge fund billionaire husband James Matthews have opened the Lodge at Buckleberry Farm Park in Berkshire for parties, events and Pilates.
Although the Middleton family severed ties with mail-order company Party Piece, which went into government last year, Pippa and James have not completely quit the party business.
In 2020, Pippa and James snapped up a 72-acre estate in leafy Berkshire for just £1.5 million. In this village, the price of a detached house with a garden is already close to that price.
Four years later, the couple opened a lodge at Buckleberry Farm for social events such as parties and Pilates classes.
Daily Mail diary editor Richard Eden wrote in Eden Confidential: “Carol’s son-in-law, James Matthews, bought Buckleberry Farm in Berkshire for £1.5 million in 2020, and now it’s available for parties. I heard they were opening a lodge.” Both as an event and as a Pilates event. ”
Richard continued, “Carole Middleton was deeply shaken by the collapse of her mail-order business, Party Piece, which went bankrupt last year. Luckily, her family was all together and the party wasn’t postponed. ”
Buckleberry Farm confirmed details of the plans on Instagram and shared photos of the lodge.
The caption reads, “We’re thrilled to announce that you can now book The Lodge (9am to 5pm only) for birthday parties, corporate events, yoga sessions, Pilates, and more.” It was written.
The 72 acres of rolling countryside where the ‘wedding tractor’ was set up to celebrate the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2010 now includes a 44-acre deer park, cafe, glamping pods and children’s play area. has been done.
Michael and Carole Middleton are well established in the area and lived in the small village of Bucklebury for many years before moving into a local manor house in 2012.
James Middleton also bought a 16th century farmhouse near Bucklebury in 2021 with his wife Alizee Thevenet for £1.45 million.
Pippa, her investment banker husband James Matthews, and their three children were the next to move from West London to West Berkshire. They set up home in a £15 million mansion 20 minutes’ drive from her parents.
James Matthews and business associates then bought the 72-acre Buckleberry Park Farm, just down the road from Pippa’s parents.
This comes after the Mail on Sunday’s Charlotte Griffiths revealed in 2021 that Pippa had returned to school to bring a new skill set to a project called ‘Pippa’s Playground’.
The company is listed as involved in “human health activities,” a vast field that includes homeopathy, massage, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture.
At the time, her spokesperson said: “Pippa remains focused on her studies.”
In 2023, Pippa followed in her mother’s footsteps and launched Buckleberry Gift and Farm Shop.
With its biodegradable jute tote bags, die-cast Land Rover toys, and wooden train whistles, the store might seem like the ultimate online shop for certain middle-class parents.
She didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Her mother Carol launched the multi-million pound business Party Pieces from her kitchen table 35 years ago.
However, Pippa’s online shop seems to be aimed more at affluent and environmentally conscious customers.
Sustainably produced in Bangladesh, biodegradable jute bags cost over £70, and other products include waterproof ponchos and ‘Truth Brush’ bamboo toothbrushes.
Cuddly toys made from recycled plastic range in price from £14.99 for a fawn to £37.49 for a large rooster or hens, from £25 for a child’s tutu to a £10 miniature Land Rover for Aston Martin toys. It sells alongside the Defender for £8.
The latter is described on its website as more than just a toy, but “die-cast, collectible, and fun for generations.”
For those seeking inspiration in life, the book, which advises how to make Paddington more beautiful, offers a “collection of uplifting quotes” from Michael Bond’s story about the darkest Peruvian bear. Masu.
Drawing on her mother’s commercial flair, Pippa also offers flower seeds (5 pounds) in time for spring. You can also buy poppy “seed balls” or seeds to attract bees to your garden.
The business is the latest venture for hedge fund managers James and Pippa on the grounds of their vast Buckleberry Farm, half a mile from the village where parents Carol and Michael have a £5 million home. Only.
The couple, who married in 2017, have three children, Arthur, five, Grace, three, and Rose, one, and recently bought a £15million mansion nearby.
The farm project, dubbed Pippa’s Playground, already includes a petting zoo, cafe, cabins that can sleep 30 people and even hosts tractor rides and birthday parties.
Some say Carroll’s influence is clear, but it was claimed that the 69-year-old encouraged the couple to set up an online shop.
She has previously spoken openly about how involved the future queen and her siblings were in the early days of the party piece.
“My children inspire my business and have been involved from the beginning, and the success we’ve had has helped us build the life we have today,” she says. I did.
“Catherine launched the first Birthday brand. We didn’t have a blog so Pippa started one. James came up with the idea for personalized cakes and brought it to life for us. He gave me a ride.”
But despite Middleton’s acumen, Pippa’s success isn’t guaranteed. His brother James’ marshmallow company Boomf took control in 2021.
