Activities
Working Farm in the North Pennines
Things to Do
Long Byres Cottages all look across the beautiful landscape of the farm, Talkin Head. Visitors are very welcome to roam where they will around the farm. Keen eyes will spot much wildlife: - badgers, red squirrels, fox, hares, polecats, and roe deer are all often seen in our fields.
The River Gelt marks the southern boundary of the farm and for the adventurous its possible to follow this river to its source well up Geltsdale. Geltsdale is past of a RSPB bird reserve and home for the very rare Black Grouse, Hen Harrier as well as many other raptors such as Peregrine and Kite; Buzzards are the most common and often fly over the cottages hunting. So you can sit in the garden in front of the cottages and hear them mewing far above you, giving a perfect flying display.
We have a herd of Exmoor ponies that run semi-feral on our fell and in the Spring it is always exciting when the newborn foals appear. Other farm animals include our small flock of Suffolk Sheep and a variety of pets; pigs, alpacas, ferrets, ducks, chicken and geese. They are all small children friendly and can be seen in the farmyard all year round.
We welcome dogs and pets in the cottages (but they must be included in the booking) and it is an excellent area for walking. Access to the fells is straight out of the door of your cottage and there are simple 1 hour routes or harder half to full day walks.
