In the novel Absent in the Spring, Little Mead is a farm near Asheldown. It was owned by a farmer named Horley, who had neglected it with the result that it was being put up for sale at a cheap price. Rodney Scudamore dreams of being a farmer and wants to buy the farm. It is good land and has a good position. However his wife Joan didn't like the idea. She doesn't want to be a farmer's wife and in any case Little Mead is miles from anywhere.