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Yorkshire Dales AONB
The Yorkshire Dales is a landscape of striking contrasts, from wild moorlands and limestone crags to tranquil valleys, each with its own unique charm. Its stone-built villages, ancient woodlands, and spectacular waterfalls are shaped by centuries of human activity, blending natural beauty with a rich industrial heritage.
The following farm visits are funded by DEFRA and the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)- Yorkshire Dales National Park
These farms include:
Contact: Gilian and Garr Schofield
Email: garryheberfarm@outlook.com
Location: Heber Farm Dubb’s Lane, Skipton BD23 5JA
The National Trust bought Heber Farm in 1994 to help preserve it as the last working farm in the village. Tenanted by The Schofield family since then. The farm keeps them busy with 600 sheep, and a developing herd of Belted Galloways.
As hill farming becomes less able to survive commercially in today’s economy the new belted Galloway herd provides a more viable breed, naturally equipped to live outdoors without the costs associated with indoor accommodation and feeding. Garry is on the steering group for the Yorkshire Dales National Park looking at ‘higher nature farming’ practices as a means to long term sustainable farming methods that benefit the environment. They will show you around the farm and you will have the opportunity to see their sheep and cattle and look at the farming machinery which they use most. There is also a lovely meadow and stream walk to enjoy.
Contact: Richard Paul
Email: rpaul@actionfarm.co.uk
Location: Carr Farm, Arncliffe BD23 5QD
Richard Paul has been farming at Carr Farm in Arncliffe since 1991, grazing his livestock on limestone land. He looks after 430 Lleyn sheep, which originate on the Llyn peninsula in Wales. Richard also has Aberdeen Angus cattle.
These cattle are imortant graziers of the upland limestone grasses. They remove long grasses through grazing so that sunlight can encourage wildflowers and orchids.
Farmer Richard will take students for a walk through fields by the river, will explain how farming and nature co-exist, visit one of his many stone barns with barn owl boxes, then look for and identify other dales bird life.
Contact: Helen Wray
Email: gamfarmrarebreeds@ymail.com
Location: Garm Farm, Moor Lane, Grassington, BD23 5BD
Gam Farm - ‘the rare breeds farm in the heart of the dales’ situated in Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales. It is home to many rare and native breed animals. Gam Farm aims to prove their worth in today’s farming by demonstrating their hardiness, adaptability and low input costs. Gam Farm’s large collection vintage farm implements tells the story of the switch over from manual labour to mechanisation in the 1930’s. Biodiversity and the environment are key elements in the management of Gam Farm. Visits can include learning about rare breeds, fleecing and weaving and a visit to their farming museum!
Contact: Neil and Leigh Heseltine
Email: hello@hilltopfarm.co.uk
Location: Hill Top Farm, Malham, BD23 4 DJ
This is a traditional hill farm in Malham, breeding pedigree Belted Galloway cattle and Swaledale sheep in 1100 acres of limestone scenery. Hill Top Farm is home to the fourth generation of the Heseltine family. Whilst agriculture in general may have changed, the Malhamdale landscape leads this farm to use traditional methods of farming. They farm Belted Galloway cattle and as part of conservation grazing schemes their presence on our hill land has been crucial in terms of improving biodiversity and natural habitat. This farm embraces sustainable ways of farming so that these areas can flourish and enjoy protection.
Contact: Jamie Roberts
Email: info@kilnseypark.co.uk
Location: Kilnsey Park, Kilnsey, Skipton BD23 5PS
Kilnsey Park is a beautiful outdoor attraction near Grassington in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with breathtaking views of Upper Wharfedale, Great Whernside and the towering Crag that inspired painter Turner.
Learn about fishing, feed the fish, pet the lambs, meet the alpacas, walk to the spring, geocache and learn about biodiversity on this self sufficient farm with Farmer Jamie.
This farm is fully sustainable using hydro and solar power.
Contact: Dominic Koole
Email: dom@jamiesfarm.org.uk
Location: Haugh Field Farm, Coniston Cold, Skipton, N Yorkshire, BD23 4EH
The site covers a stunning 245 acres of pasture, which has already undergone quite the transformation in the form of miles of hedgerows, hundreds of new trees and acres of herbal leys pasture. The newly converted farm buildings create a wonderfully welcoming space for our young people to cook and work together alongside the Jamie’s Farm Team. The resident animals include mountain sheep, pigs, chickens, and cattle including two Highland Cows.
Visiting young people will be practically involved in all elements of running the farm. This gives them practical, purposeful work to do with really tangible outcomes.
