Our History
As a family, we’ve been working our 400 acre farm since 1911, spending our lives in these dramatic and often challenging hills. Our simple aim has been to produce great livestock, and now we’re delighted to be able to share our experiences and our farm with you, our guests.
Our Location
Easegill Farm is located in the heart of the Eden Valley in Cumbria, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty full of rolling hills and lush countryside. We’re also within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with the Lake District on our doorstep.
From our front door, you have easy access to all the delights of this region, with unspoilt landscapes as far as the eye can see. Explore the sweeping moorland, tumbling waterfalls and colourful hay meadows. This is nature at its best.
If you’re looking for a countryside escape, then you can’t get better than our beautiful corner of England.
Funded School Visits to Easegill Head Farm
When you’re young, there’s not much more exciting than getting up close and personal with a range of farm animals. At Easegill Head Farm, we want to combine our passion for farming with vital knowledge that will help children progress in their education and future careers – whether on the farm or not.
The Marston family is delighted to be able to offer funded school trips to our family farm where learning is brought to life. Led by Rachel Marston, a CEVAS-trained farmer, children can enhance their curriculum-based learning as well as develop vital skills and knowledge in a real-world environment that is both safe and fun.
Currently, thanks to support from DEFRA, school trips to our education farm are fully funded, and schools only need to pay for transport. Trips are available for groups of up to 20 children, plus an appropriate number of staff members.
Subjects and Activities
For each farm visit, we insist on a pre-trip visit by a responsible teacher who will also attend during the education day. During this initial meeting, we’ll discuss all the important information including what the day will look like, expectations from teachers and children, health and safety requirements, and any specific needs that the children may have.
We can offer a variety of farm-based educational activities depending on school group requirements and the time of year. A range of topics will be covered including maths, animal welfare, teamwork, science and observation.
Example activities include:
- Counting pet lambs.
- Mixing milk and feeding the lambs.
- Caring for sheep by ensuring they have enough water.
- Exploring the wildflower meadow and the benefits of biodiversity.
- Insect and butterfly hunting, and the importance of returning them to where they came from.
- Creating seed balls, then taking them home.
Our farming education days will not only be a unique school trip for your class, they will be an opportunity for children to get closer to nature, learn in a different way, and appreciate the benefits of the countryside and farming.
For more information and to plan your school’s farm visit, please get in touch.
Walking
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
Each fresh day can bring a brand new walk, whether on a circular route along the undulations of the River Eden, amongst the hay meadows with their abundance of life, or up the hills with their mosaics of dry stone walls.
Much of the area sits under the watchful eye of Wild Boar Fell, which stands at 2,323 feet. This popular hill walk can be summited via several paths, and awaiting you at the top is a spectacular panorama. On a clear day, take in views of the Howgills, the Pennines, the Lake District fells and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
For a gentler, family-friendly walk, Smardale Gill Nature Reserve is just 2 miles away and includes an 8km section of disused railway line that is wheelchair and pushchair accessible. A wonderful place bursting with wildflowers, butterflies, birds, red squirrels and deer, the steep wooded slopes contrast with views of rolling open countryside. Download a children’s activity sheet from Cumbria Wildlife Trust before you set off and this walk can be educational as well as enjoyable.
If, instead, you’re on the lookout for a challenge, then we’re not too far away from the Yorkshire Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. A 20-minute train ride on one of Europe’s most beautiful rail routes takes you to Ribblehead, where you can start the challenge. Trying to complete the full hike in under 12 hours is not a task for the faint-hearted, but is well worth it for those who are suitably fit and experienced. You can, of course, just hike one or two of them.
Towns and Villages
The Eden Valley and Yorkshire Dales are dotted with picturesque villages and pretty towns. Our local town is Kirkby Stephen, a vibrant little market town that you can drive or walk to (2 miles). There are charming independent shops, galleries, antiques and crafts shops, and cafes. There is also a large convenience store at the far end of town for all your essentials. A pleasant town trail will help you get to know the sights a little better.
Nearby is Ravenstonedale, a small, unspoiled village with plenty to offer for a day out. You can hire tennis courts via an honesty box or play golf on the small 18-hole course, which is suitable for all ages and abilities. Younger children will love scrambling around the play area. All-in-all, Ravenstonedale is a lovely, quiet and safe environment for young families.
A favourite of our family is Hawes, just a 16-mile drive through the Mallerstang Valley and into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The market town is full of character, with unique shops and cafes. It’s most famous for its cheese-making heritage and is home to the award-winning Wenslaydale Cheese. Fish and chips from the local chippy are the best in the area, too!
Family Days Out
Nearby favourites for the family include Walby Farm Park, where children can meet (more) farm animals, ride on mini quadbikes, and jump around to their heart’s content on several excellent play areas.
Or explore Lowther Castle: one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country, the dramatic ruins are surrounded by gardens within gardens and an adventure playground to rival the best in the land. When you are ready to rest your tired feet after a day’s explorations, retreat to the cafe or the takeaway for some freshly made food. Cycle hire is also available at Lowther to help you more easily explore the acres of grounds.
Outdoor Activities
With so much space and unspoilt landscape there are many, many ways for you to explore the area.
Bring along your bikes and enjoy some quiet routes with the family or, if you’re more inclined to raise your adrenaline levels, have a go at some of the tougher routes that pass the Buttertubs.
Water lovers can reach for the paddle boards at Semerwater in the heart of the Dales, or travel just slightly further to the Lake District where you’re spoilt for choice of lakes and waterways.
Horse Riding is available at Happy Hooves at Penrith, where you can take lessons, enjoy mini family hacks, “own” a pony for a day, and learn all about grooming.
Culture and Heritage
A real historic gem, the Settle – Carlisle Railway is within walking distance of our farm, and we can arrange to drop you off and pick you up at nearby Kirkby Stephen station.
This picturesque route – which follows the natural pathways through the hills – is well worth a ride for its own sake, but is also a good way to get out and explore without the car. At select times, you can watch heritage steam trains travel along the route (though they unfortunately don’t stop at our station). On foot, it’s also worth visiting some of the impressive viaducts along the route, Ribblehead being the most famous.
We’re fortunate enough to be close to one of England’s finest medieval castles – Raby Castle, with its park and gardens – in Staindrop. There are over 200 acres to explore, where herds of red and fallow deer can be spotted. The Plotters Forest playground will allow the kids to burn off any excess steam. We recommend taking a picnic to enjoy in the grounds so you can have a full day there.
There are lots of other historical sites in the local area, which is dotted with the ruins of castles and fortresses that once stood tall. Of particular note are the remains of Pendragon Castle, which lies in the shadow of Wild Boar Fell and is reputed to have been built by King Arthur’s father.
Places to Eat in the Eden Valley
With an abundance of local produce, the area boasts some fine cuisine. Book a meal at the Black Swan Hotel, a Victorian Inn and voted a Top 50 Gastropub. In the same village is the very popular Kings Head with its roaring fire and character features. We advise that you book in advance at either, as they are very popular.
If you like to earn your food, then a 1-mile walk across the fields will take you to The Black Bull at Nateby. Or, if you have a craving for street food, The Engine Shed is a short walk downhill into town. Serving a different type of street food each night, this is a relaxed, family friendly bar set in a historical goods shed at Pennine View Park. Remember the walk back will be uphill!
Those who prefer to cater for themselves in the cottage’s well equipped kitchen can stock up at one of the Farmers Markets that are held in the area. You can pick up some fantastic local produce for a really delicious homecooked meal.
For a quick and easy option, there are fish and chips shops, and Indian and Chinese takeaways nearby.
BBC Lambing Live
For five nights in April 2011 we played host to the BBC series Lambing Live with Kate Humble and Adam Henson. As a family we loved the experience and the opportunity to show others what life on the farm is really like. That’s why we’re always so thrilled to share our farming experience.
