Our Company
Tangmere Airfield Nurseries
We are industry leaders
We’re the UK’s largest dedicated grower of sweet bell peppers, and with that comes responsibility – to our customers, our employees and our planet.
We understand that quality and sustainability matter above all else when it comes to fresh produce. When you buy sweet bell peppers from us, you’re buying a sustainably grown product whose quality reflects our thirty years’ experience and expertise.
Our short supply chain, market leading production technology and a commitment to environmentally friendly sustainable growing mean that when you engage with us, you’re in safe hands.
How our business operates
We’re dedicated to operational excellence and efficiency
We produce approximately 68 million peppers each year. Our glasshouses cover an area of 105 acres and house over 1 million pepper plants. All of our beautiful hand-picked peppers are packed onsite, ready to be despatched directly from the nursery to our retail customers.
Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure total efficiency, with our robust food safety and quality management systems maintaining the high standards we’ve become known for.
By having both a UK and Spanish operation, we can provide a secure, sustainable supply of quality peppers, thanks to the synergy between our sites.
We can provide a secure, sustainable supply of quality peppers, thanks to the synergy between our UK and Spanish sites.
Our History
Discover our roots
We’ve been committed to growing the best produce since the day the company was founded. Our aim has always been to run a sustainable, horticulture business with passion and integrity.
Situated on the former Battle of Britain airfield, our surroundings inspire a huge sense of history and pride.
1988
Our founder, Dirk Houweling purchases a disused airfield site and establishes a family business, Tangmere Airfield Nurseries.
1989
The first glasshouse (7.5 acres) is built ready for Tangmere’s first year of production, growing tomatoes.
1992
Introduction of red and green sweet bell pepper crops. By 1994, sweet bell peppers have become the exclusive crop grown at Tangmere Airfield Nurseries replacing tomatoes.
1994
With the growing demand for our quality, fresh, and pre-packed peppers, we open a new purpose-built packing facility. Peppers go direct from Tangmere to the supermarket shelves. Marketing and sales organisation established.
1999
A Combined Heat and Power unit and combination boiler are installed, providing low-carbon electricity, hot water and Co2 extraction.
2000
Having undertaken trials since day one, a dedicated glasshouse is built to focus on variety and product development trials.
2002
Our Spanish site is established. The introduction of this site means Tangmere Airfield Nurseries now offers a year-round supply of sweet bell peppers.
2003
We expand our packing facility for increased production capacity. This facility features state-of-the-art automated packing lines, offering customers choice.
2011
The final phases of the nursery expansion are completed. The overall size is increased to 75 acres under glass.
2015
We achieve an industry first as Tangmere becomes a LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Demonstration Farm in the glasshouse sector.
2017
Upgrade to CHP to improve energy efficiency. Dirk becomes chairman and passes the role of Managing Director to his son, Dick. His other son, Marcel, becomes Sales & Marketing Director.
2019
We see an increased popularity of sweet bell peppers. Annual production is over 68 million peppers. The company remains family-run and this year, we celebrate 30 years’ of Tangmere Airfield Peppers… Here's to the next 30 years!
Tangmere today
Bursting with fresh ideas, always in the pursuit of excellence
Today, our second-generation family business continues to use its 30 years’ of experience to grow peppers to perfection.
Much has changed since we began Tangmere Airfield Nurseries back in 1988, but in many ways, much has stayed the same.
Our aim remains the same as it’s always been: to grow the best quality and most flavoursome peppers in a sustainable way using the very latest technology.
We’re committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Our working methods are always evolving, informed by the learnings from our continual investment in research and development.
Latest case studies
Our case studies offer you an insight into our current business activities and commitment to continually improving both our product quality and processes.
A bug’s life: How we protect our peppers against pests
Read about our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system using biological control to achieve healthy crop growth.
Innovative Energy
Read about the innovative solutions to help efficient energy use throughout our business.