Our History
Our History
The Early Days
The Ashcroft Family have owned and run the farm and barn for over 300 years. The barn is a 16th-century Grade II listed building which was originally used for housing cattle and storing potatoes.
Farming the Land
Three generations of the family, Father Eric, Son Steven and Grandson Sam, still work on the 200-acre farm growing cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, hay and maize. Seasonally, this produce is sold in the farm shop.
The Farm Shop Opens
Brenda opened the farm shop in 1990 to start to diversify from farming and sell our produce to the local community. The farm shop has grown largely over the years and stocks seasonal local produce and fine foods. Three years after opening the farm shop Brenda opened up the gift shop too which had always proved popular. Daughter Helen manages the farm shop and gift loft.
The Tea Room Opens
The tearoom opened in 2003 to make us a one-stop shop. Starting with solely Brenda at the helm, serving both the drinks and making the food, which has now grown to an 18-person team, including daughter-in-law Sarah, daughter Helen, and granddaughters Megan and Evie.
The Spud Shed Opens
In 2020, we did our biggest project yet during a global pandemic. It took us 8 months to convert it from an old spud store into eight high-spec commercial units.
