Our History

Townfields was founded in 1963 by Geoffrey Malcolm Charley. Starting out initially as a riding school, then shortly after our store was built at the farm we are based at today. However, Townfields has built its reputation through travelling all over the country to equestrian events throughout the year.

Geoff ran the business and drove Townfields to success with his wife Gillian Charley. While Geoff would go to the shows Gillian would run the shop. Geoff pictured here (centre) with the 1978 winning world championship showjumping team.

Tradestand visit from HRH Princess Anne at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh. The first Royal visit for Townfields.

Adrian pictured (left) at the South of England Show with good friend Martin Brocklehurst (right). Adrian was born at Townfields Farm in 1965. Eldest son to Geoff and Gill.

Geoff pictured (centre) inside the ring at the Royal International Horse Show Hickstead with Douglas Bunn (Founder of Hickstead Showground)

Geoff pictured presenting the prizes in the main ring at The London International Horse Show Olympia. Geoff was a well-known figure in the equestrian world due to his longevity and dedication to the trade.

Adrian pictured with HRH Princess Anne outside our stand at The Great Yorkshire Show. Adrian took over the business in 2012 after working with his father Geoff since the age of 16. Geoff the founder of Townfields sadly passed away in 2015.

At Royal Windsor Horse Show Adrian was introduced to Her Majesty the Queen by Show Director Simon Brooks-Ward. They discussed Her Majesty’s love of horses and gifted her a pair of stirrup irons to ride with as Her Majesty at the time was suffering from knee pain. A memory that will last a lifetime.

HRH Princess Anne pictured with her shopping from Townfields at Gatcombe Park Horse Trials. HRH would visit Townfields each year for a friendly chat with Geoff and Adrian and pick up her essentials.

Ben & Tom (3rd Generation) bringing new and fresh ideas to the table and pushing Adrian along. Building our own range of products, taking the reins of townfields.com and diversifying the company ready for the future. Pictured here Winning Best Tradestand Award here at Gatcombe Horse Trials with Peter Phillips (HM The Queen – Grandson)

The Townfields Lorry. Adrian’s pride and joy.

One of three lorries travelling all over the country throughout the year. Parked up here at Burghley Horse Trials and sprayed in our traditional country cream colour, you can’t miss it on the road.

Adrian, Julie (Wife), Ben and Tom (Sons) (The Family) pictured here at Burghley Horse Trials.

Julie has worked alongside Adrian for over 35 years and has built townfields.com from zero orders to where it is today. Julie has been the core of not only the family but the business too. Adrian and Julie have been an unstoppable team and evolved the business to reach new heights over the years. The closest family and the driving force behind Townfields.

Covid-19 pandemic. Ben pictured (left) Adrian pictured (right) A scary time and a change in direction of business for Townfields. All the events were cancelled however the shop remained open with social distancing measures in place. Little did we know our mail order side of the business would take off.

Online orders were rocketing with crates of parcels pictured here ready for couriers to send a lorry to collect our Black Friday orders.

Expansion of the mail order department was urgently needed to cope with unprecedented online sales. More pack stations were put in making the process more efficient leading to greater customer satisfaction.

More space was needed for multiple reasons and this led to our stock/feed barn being built. A new driveway was put in with plantation and once completed Casemore Animal Feeds moved into the premises and now operates out of part of this barn.

Our stand pictured at Burghley Horse Trials. Townfields has been exhibiting at Burghley Horse Trials for over 50 years and is proud to be part of such a prestigious event.

Something different. For the last three years we have sold Christmas Trees. Each year we grow on the idea and turn the yard into a little winter wonderland. Providing something different for the local community and customers at Townfields.

February Winter Sale. Our biggest sale event of the year. Our Winter Sale has been running for forty-two years and is well known in the vicinity with customers travelling from all over the country. The marquee is put up in the yard and packed full of clearance stock for the whole weekend.

Adrian invited to Badminton House on the last day of Badminton Horse Trials to be introduced to Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Townfields is one of the longest standing trade stand holders at the event of well over fifty years and this was an incredibly proud moment for Adrian and all at Townfields.

It’s one big family here at Townfields. Some of the staff have been with the company for nearly 20 years including Heather who now feels part of the family (Mail Order Manager) Heather has been at Townfields for the last 19 years as of 2025. Over the next few years we will be employing more staff to work in our Café and continue to all work together to grow Townfields to even new heights.

A store refurb was completed with improved displays giving customers an improved shopping experience.

Our store is full of top brands and a fantastic range of equestrian products for horse and rider.

Big brands such as Ariat, LeMieux, Shires, NAF, Charles Owen, Racesafe, Weatherbeeta and more.

Our biggest and busiest stand of the year here at Badminton Horse Trails. Over 3’000 sqft with 22 staff on the stand for the five days. Townfields has been exhibiting at Badminton Horse Trials for over 50 years and situated in the heart of the showground.

Summer Sale and Market at Townfields. Bringing the equestrian and local community together. Equestrian Sale, Food & Drink, Dog Show, Local Businesses with stalls. We have some exciting plans for events at Townfields in the future.

The Next Chapter - The build has commenced with the goal of opening The Farm Café at Townfields. Diversifying into new areas and following the family’s dream of turning Townfields into a truly iconic destination store for the future. This is the start of something very special.