Reuben Owen is the 22-year-old son of famous Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen and farmer Clive Owen, best known for his roles on Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm and his spin-off series Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales. Born in November 2003, he grew up on the remote Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, helping with sheep herding and farm chores from a young age. Reuben has since launched his own heavy machinery business, using diggers to take on contracts across the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria, working alongside friends Tommy and Sarah. This article dives deep into his family background, rise to TV fame, business ventures, daily life, and future plans, offering practical insights for fans wanting to visit Ravenseat or follow his projects. You’ll learn specific details on his height of 6 feet 6 inches, key TV moments from 2018 onward, business growth tips, and how he balances farming roots with entrepreneurship in the rugged Dales landscape.
Early Life at Ravenseat
Reuben Owen was born in November 2003 as the eldest son of Amanda and Clive Owen, growing up on their 2,000-acre Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. The farm sits in Whitsundale at the top of Swaledale, near Keld village and Kirkby Stephen town in Cumbria, where the family managed around 900 sheep and 30 cattle as of 2016. From toddlerhood, Reuben joined his parents and siblings—Raven, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clementine, and Nancy—in daily tasks like lambing, sheepdog training, and haymaking on the remote hill farm. His towering height of 6 feet 6 inches, inherited partly from his 6-foot-2-inch mother, made him stand out early, helping with heavy lifting amid the harsh Dales weather.
Ravenseat’s isolation shaped Reuben’s resilient character, with no nearby shops or schools forcing self-reliance. The family home, a stone farmhouse by Whitsundale Beck, featured in early TV spots, showcased Reuben at age 10 rounding up sheep during lambing season in spring. He attended local schools in the Dales, balancing lessons with farm duties that taught him practical skills like fence mending and livestock handling. These years built his love for the land, setting the stage for his later ventures beyond herding.
Farm Chores and Family Dynamics
Daily life started at dawn with Reuben feeding calves or checking ewes on the moorland. Swaledale’s rugged terrain, dotted with features like High Force waterfall and Ravenseat Moor, demanded teamwork; Reuben often handled the family’s sheepdogs alongside his mother. His parents’ 2022 separation didn’t halt farm operations, with Reuben stepping up to support both while pursuing independence. Siblings pitched in too, creating a lively household where Reuben emerged as the practical leader.
This upbringing instilled values of hard work and adaptability, evident in Reuben’s calm handling of farm crises like harsh winters or lost lambs.
Rise to TV Fame
Reuben first appeared on TV in 2011’s ITV series The Dales, aged about 8, introducing the Owen family to viewers. The breakthrough came with Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm in November 2018, narrated by Ralf Little, drawing over three million viewers per episode for its raw portrayal of Dales farming. Reuben, then 15, featured prominently in lambing, cattle drives, and family antics at Ravenseat, captivating audiences with his quiet competence and dry humor. The show ran multiple seasons, with Reuben maturing on screen from teen shepherd to young entrepreneur.
In 2021, he contributed to Live: Winter on the Farm, joining vets and farmers at Cannon Hall Farm. His star turn arrived in 2024 with Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales, a spin-off following his machinery business launch at age 19. Earlier, the 2022 mini-series Beyond The Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive showed father-son digging ponds in Langwathby, Cumbria. Reuben’s appeal lies in his unpretentious style, shunning fame for real work, as seen in series two airing in 2025 amid Cumbrian fields.
Key TV Moments
Memorable clips include Reuben at 16 mastering a mini-digger during hay time, impressing viewers with precision on steep slopes. In Life in the Dales episode one, aired April 25, 2024, he tackles a fishing pond restoration, overcoming fears while directing Tommy and Sarah. His Telegraph interview highlighted pride in his named digger over TV gigs, resonating with rural audiences. These moments turned him into a farming icon without chasing spotlight.
Fan favorites also feature family banter, like Reuben taking mum Amanda for a spin in his new truck, blending nostalgia with growth.
Launching the Digger Business
At 19, Reuben started his heavy plant machinery firm in 2023, buying his first digger with savings from farm work and TV. Based near Ravenseat, the business targets Dales landowners needing land leveling, pond digging, and barn foundations. He partnered with best friend Tommy McWhirter and girlfriend Sarah Dow, handling contracts like milking parlour groundwork in Cumbria. By 2025, operations expanded to multiple machines, including dreams of a 50-ton excavator, emphasizing reliable crew over equipment.
Growth came via word-of-mouth in tight-knit farming communities, with Reuben quoting jobs from £500 for small digs to £10,000+ for major sites. He modernizes traditional land improvement, swapping horses for diggers to boost food production on rough moors. Balancing this with Ravenseat duties, he logs 60-hour weeks, often starting at 6am. His motto: success hinges on trusted people, not just machines.
Business Challenges and Wins
Early hurdles included a steep learning curve on large excavators and weather delays in rainy Swaledale. A proud milestone was customizing his digger with “Reuben Owen” stickers after a pond contract in 2024. Revenue supports farm investments, with Reuben eyeing his own Dales farmstead. Clients praise his efficiency, turning boggy fields into productive pastures.
Tommy handles ops, Sarah admin, creating a young team thriving in remote areas.
Daily Life and Work Routine
Reuben’s days blend business and farm at 5am wake-ups for digger jobs across Yorkshire and Cumbria. Mornings involve site prep, like clearing rocks near Kirkby Stephen, followed by lunch at Ravenseat—simple fare like shepherd’s pie. Afternoons shift to sheep checks or lambing in spring, covering miles on quad bikes over Birk Dale. Evenings wind down with machinery maintenance or planning bids, often until 10pm.
Weekends mix family time with overflow contracts, like restoring fishing ponds expiring in 2029 streams. His 6ft 7in frame suits cabs, but long hours test endurance in biting winds. Reuben stays grounded, avoiding city life for Dales solitude, cooking stews over farm fires. Fitness comes from labor, no gym needed.
Balancing Fame and Privacy
TV crews film sporadically, but Reuben prioritizes work over selfies, dodging fan stops politely. He shares glimpses on social media, focusing on projects not personal drama. Post-parents’ split, he mediates family farm roles seamlessly. Hobbies include shooting and dog training, keeping him rooted.
This rhythm fuels his ambition without burnout.
Family Background and Influences
Amanda Owen, born 1974, rose from Twitter’s “Yorkshire Shepherdess” to author of five books like The Yorkshire Shepherdess (2015). Clive, a hill shepherd, co-managed Ravenseat’s 2,000 acres of sheep farming. Their 22-year marriage ended in 2022, but co-parenting continues via shows like 2024’s Our Farm Next Door on Channel 4, renovating a derelict farmhouse. Reuben credits mum’s resilience and dad’s quiet wisdom for his drive.
Siblings add chaos: Raven leads creatively, Miles adventures outdoors. Ravenseat’s Norse-named landscape—Ravenseat Moor, Whitsundale Beck—influenced their hardy ethos. Amanda’s media savvy opened TV doors, but Reuben forges his path.
Sibling Roles on Farm
Each child has niches: Edith with animals, Sidney mechanics. Reuben mentors younger ones on diggers, passing skills. Family meals discuss weather impacts on grazing. This dynamic builds unbreakable bonds amid Dales isolation.
Future Plans and Ambitions
Reuben aims to scale his business to a fleet including a 50-ton digger by 2027, targeting larger contracts. Long-term, he wants his own farm near Swaledale, blending machinery with sheep. No TV permanence—he told media in 2025, “I want to be the guy who digs big holes.” Potential series three of Life in the Dales looms, but farm ownership trumps fame.
Expansion eyes eco-projects like wetland restoration for grants. At 22, he’s open to marriage and kids, mirroring parents’ life. Challenges include economic pressures on farmers, but optimism prevails.
Industry Impact
Reuben inspires young rural entrepreneurs, proving TV fame funds real trades. His story spotlights Dales sustainability, using diggers for regenerative ag.
Practical Information for Fans
Ravenseat Farm opens to visitors seasonally, mainly lambing in March-April and summer teas. Entry is free but donations appreciated; expect muddy paths, so wear wellies. Prices: farm shop sells wool, jams at £3-£5; guided tours £10/adult in peak season. Open 10am-4pm weekends, weather permitting—no set dates post-2025, check social media.
Reach Ravenseat via B6270 from Keld, 1-hour drive from Richmond; buses to Keld then 4-mile walk. Park at farm gate. What to expect: sheep demos, Amanda sightings, Reuben possibly on-site. Tips: book ahead for busy days, bring cash, respect livestock—dogs on lead. Best in dry weather; families love interactive chores.
Visiting Reuben’s Work Sites
Business sites vary; follow Life in the Dales for locations like Langwathby. No public access, but Dales drives offer views.
FAQs
Who is Reuben Owen?
Reuben Owen is the 22-year-old eldest son of Amanda and Clive Owen from Our Yorkshire Farm, starring in his spin-off Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales. He runs a heavy machinery business digging ponds and leveling land in the Yorkshire Dales. Born November 2003 at Ravenseat Farm, he’s 6 feet 6 inches tall and balances farming with contracts.
How old is Reuben Owen?
Reuben Owen turned 22 in November 2025, born in 2003. He was 19 when launching his digger business in 2023 and 15 at Our Yorkshire Farm‘s 2018 debut. His age brings youthful energy to adult responsibilities on remote Swaledale farms.
What does Reuben Owen do?
Reuben operates diggers for land works like pond restoration and parlour builds across Dales and Cumbria. He helps at Ravenseat with sheep while starring on Channel 5 shows. His firm employs friends Tommy and Sarah, focusing on trusted teamwork.
Where does Reuben Owen live?
Reuben lives near Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, a 2,000-acre hill farm by Whitsundale Beck. Closest village is Keld; he travels to Cumbria sites. The stone farmhouse remains family hub despite parents’ split.
How tall is Reuben Owen?
Reuben stands at 6 feet 6 inches or 6ft 7in, tallest in family—mother Amanda is 6ft 2in. This aids machinery handling and farm tasks. Sources confirm via TV and interviews.
What is Reuben Owen’s business?
His heavy plant firm started 2023 with one digger, now multiple for contracts £500-£10k+. Specializes in Dales land improvement, eyeing 50-ton excavator. Featured digging ponds in Langwathby.
Is Reuben Owen still on TV?
Yes, Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales series two aired 2025 on Channel 5, available till 2029. He appeared in Our Farm Next Door 2024 on Channel 4. No full-time actor; TV secondary.
Can I visit Ravenseat Farm?
Yes, seasonally for lambing March-April or teas; free entry, tours £10. Drive B6270 to Keld, walk 4 miles. Expect mud, sheep—wear boots, check updates.
Does Reuben Owen have a girlfriend?
Sarah Dow, his girlfriend, co-runs the business with Tommy, featured on shows. They met via Dales circles, handling admin. Private but collaborative.
What farm does Reuben work on?
Ravenseat Farm, 2,000 acres in Swaledale with 900 sheep, 30 cattle. Norse-named moors like Ravenseat Seat. Family still operates post-2022 split.
Why is Reuben Owen famous?
Fame from Our Yorkshire Farm 2018, showing teen farm life, then Life in the Dales for business startup. Authentic Dales portrayal drew millions. Proudest: named digger.
How to contact Reuben Owen?
Via social media or Ravenseat’s farm shop page; business inquiries through show contacts. No public email; local Dales networking best.
Best Reuben Owen TV episodes?
Life in the Dales episode 1 (April 2024) for pond dig; Beyond Reuben & Clive 2022 for father-son ponds. Lambing specials on Our Yorkshire Farm.
Reuben Owen net worth estimate?
Around £100k-£500k from TV, digger contracts, farm—unofficial. Business growing fast at 22.
Future Reuben Owen projects?
Own farm buy, business fleet expansion, possible Life in the Dales series 3. Sticks to Dales digging over TV career.
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