Big in the country: rural life across Europe – in pictures

From Cornish thatchers to Polish apple pickers and Hungarian hand-milkers, these images capture the essence – and difficulty – of farm life

Main image: ‘Apples are shipped as far as Africa’ … a fruit farming family from Poland

  • James, Sarah, Karen and Roger Richards, Tregaminion and Bruggan Farms, UK

    Photographers and academics Oliver Udy and Colin Robins have created a collection of all things that ‘make’ rural places: portraits of people and animals, landscapes, practices and experiences of the everyday. This is rural life: where people live, what jobs they do, and how they spend their free time. Colin Robins and Oliver Udy: Anthology of Rural Life – Farmers of The Lizard can be seen at Kestle Barton, Cornwall until 1 September 2024. All photographs and text by Colin Robins and Oliver Udy
    James, Sarah, Karen and Roger Richards, Tregaminion & Bruggan Farms ‘Our family has farmed on the Lizard for over 50 years. They settled at Tregaminion Farm in 1925, and added Bruggan Farm in 2003. Roger was originally a dairy farmer, but switched to Beef farming in 1995.’

  • Thatcher, UK

    A traditional thatcher in Cornwall, working on the remaining thatched houses in the region. The distinction between Cornish and English thatching was described to us in terms of utility v decoration. The flourishes common across the river are not appropriate in the wetter climate
    Thatcher, UK ‘A traditional thatcher in Cornwall, working on the remaining thatched houses in the region. The distinction between Cornish, and English thatching was described to us in terms of utility vs decoration. The flourishes common across the river, not appropriate in the wetter climate.’

  • Farmer, Hungary

    Small-scale subsistence farming continues to survive in eastern Hungary although, somewhat unusually, this farmer still milks by hand and uses horses in his fields
    Farmer, Hungary Small scale subsistence farming continues to survive in Eastern Hungary although, somewhat unusually, this farmer still milks by hand and uses horses in his fields.

  • Farmers, Finland

    This couple met at university and then returned to the rural community where the young man had been raised. They intend to develop a small farm on the family land. This represents an unusual trajectory, as typically patterns of internal migration tend to see younger people leaving the rural communities in which they were raised
    Farmers, Finland This couple met at university and then returned to the rural community where the young man had been raised. They intend to develop a small farm on the family land. This represents an unusual trajectory, as typically patterns of internal migration tend to see younger people leaving the rural communities in which they were raised.

  • Ukrainian migrant workers, Poland

    As with many farms and rural businesses, Poland also has a need for migrant workers. On this farm the owner has converted an old barn into basic accommodation for pickers
    Ukranian Migrant Workers, PolandAs with many farms and rural businesses, Poland also has a need for migrant workers. On this farm the owner has converted an old barn into basic accommodation for pickers.

  • Steppe Herdsman, Hungary

    The Hortobágy region is economically significant as an international tourist destination. This frequently draws on the legacy of historical horse husbandry and nomadic cultures that once existed across the puszta
    Steppe Herdsman, Hungary The Hortobagy region is economically significant as an international tourist destination. This frequently draws upon the legacy of historical horse husbandry and nomadic cultures that once existed across the puszta.

  • Farming family, Poland

    The commune of Sadkowice in central Poland is an area of intensive apple production with exports of the fruit shipped as far as Africa. This is one of the less diversified regions photographed as part of the project, with little rural tourism present
    Farming Family, Poland The commune of Sadkowice in central Poland is an area of intensive apple production with exports of the fruit shipped as far as Africa. This is one of the less diversified regions photographed as part of the project, with little rural tourism present.

  • Martin, Thomas, Alan and Owen Williams, Trenithon Farm, UK

    ‘My Papa bought and moved to Trenithon in 1953. He farmed 15 dairy, 10 beef, one horse, two sows and poultry. One tractor on 60 acres with my Gran and one workman. Milking twice a day by hand. They had no electricity and no running water’
    Martin, Thomas, Alan and Owen Williams, Trenithon Farm’My Papa bought & moved to Trenithon in 1953. He farmed fifteen dairy, ten beef, one horse, two sows & poultry & one tractor on sixty acres with my Gran & one workman. Milking twice a day by hand. They had no electricity & no running water.’

  • Mike Kitchen and Viviane Bunn, Treverry Farm, Mawgan, UK

    Mike runs a large organic nursery on his farm growing plugs for fruit, vegetables and flowers. These are sold mainly through an online shop. They have also recently taken over the local village shop, developing it into a dynamic hub for the area, providing locally sourced produce, as well other essentials
    Mike Kitchen and Viviane Bunn, Treverry Farm, Mawgan Mike runs a large organic nursery on his farm growing plugs for fruit, vegetables and flowers. These are sold mainly through an online shop.They have also recently taken over the local village shop, developing it into a dynamic hub for the area, providing locally sourced produce, as well other essentials.

  • Farm labourer, Italy

    This young man is part of a cohort learning about agriculture on a teaching farm. Across Europe there’s a struggle between the fact that rural areas make up most of Europe and around 50% of its population, yet those working the land are ever decreasing in number
    Farm Labourer, Italy This young man is part of a cohort learning about agriculture on a teaching farm. Across Europe, there is a struggle between the fact that rural areas make up most of Europe, and around 50% of its population, however those working the land are ever decreasing in number.

  • Farmer, Italy

    Traditional hill farming in northern Italy is supplemented by other work. Often farmers have jobs in factories in the towns, but there is also diversification in the form of holiday accommodation primarily aimed at tourists
    Farmer, Italy Traditional Hill farming in northern Italy is supplemented by other work. Often farmers have jobs in factories in the towns, but there is also diversification in the form of holiday accommodation primarily aimed at tourists.

  • Farmer entrepreneur, Hungary

    After graduating university, Zsoka Fekete developed a successful business in eastern Hungary raising Mangalica pigs. She also runs a small processing unit that produces sausages, bacon and ham which is sold at local farmers’ markets and also in Budapest.Colin Robins and Oliver Udy are British documentary photographers based in Cornwall. Both are academics teaching photography, and have been collaborating on the Anthology of Rural Life project for over 10 years
    Farmer Entrepreneur, Hungary After graduating university, Zsoka Fekete developed a successful business in Eastern Hungary raising Mangalica pigs. She also runs a small processing unit which produces sausages, bacon and ham which is sold at local farmers’ markets and also in Budapest.
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