Our Wildlife Farm

Let us show you round the farm and surrounding area by way of 6 nature walks around, or starting from, our conservation minded farm

All walks start from the Country Tea Rooms, which has ample car parking. Please print off a walks map to accompany this page

Walk 1 - 1mile - 45 minutes

Walk behind the sheep shed and turn right down the hard-surface trail out of the farmyard and turn left along Long Field. As you walk along the path note the Christmas trees, planted as a cash crop but also providing a valuable habitat for birds and mammals. Turn left onto the track and follow it round through the next gate. You are now in an attractive area with the newly created traditional hay meadow, on your left (G2) and the diverse wetland habitat (P1) on your right. Look out for the wide variety of ferns and mosses in this area. At (b) enter the wood and follow the path for about 100 yards through the clearing and along the forest track. This area is called Cowgate Slack. At this point you may choose to continue your walk to Ravenscar (Walk 6) or return via either walk 2 or 3.

Walk 2 Meadow and Trees 1.5m I hour

At the T junction (c) turn right along the track, as it goes down the hill. You are now in an area of clear fell, the trees felled in 1992 and 1997, and the wood used for chipboard production. Above the clearing are 10 year old conifer trees, further trees will be planted in the clear area, allowing future felling to be rotational, which has less impact on the wildlife. Follow the track up the hill and turn right at (d) through a plantation of Norway spruce and larch. Look out for birds, such as kestrels and sparrow hawks and the family of roe deer which live in the forest. Also in this area is a badger sett, badgers have poor eyesight but a very good sense of smell. The best time to see them is at dusk when they are out hunting for food, and approach them down wind. Keep to the track as it goes through Top and Bottom Sandhole Field. Enter the newly planted windbreak, established in 1995 with oak, sycamore and shrubs, to add interest to the area, with financial help from the Forestry Authority. In Bottom Sandhole Field note the small field to the right, which contains a prehistoric burial mound or tumulus (A). Cross over the road and back along the path, which returns you to the farmyard.

Walk 3 Bird Haven and Peat Bog Way 2.5m 2 hours

At the T junction (c) turn left along the track, at (e) turn left then right, into a forest glade. This glade was cleared by Forest Enterprise and volunteers and now creates a pleasant walk through the trees. Turn left and as you come out of the forest, follow the track through the field gate (f) into Broadlands, an area of grassland, surrounded by forestry. This is an area of meadow re-creation and enhancement through the stewardship scheme, and is being developed as a 'bird haven'. Walk along the side of the field and back into the forestry at (g) and along the track, turn right a~ (h) along the Bridleways which follows Broadlands Beck called Peat Bog Way. The path will take you into Harwood Dale Village, turn right along the road back to the Grainary.

Walk 4 Coastal Walk to Ravenscar 8m 5 hours (Copy of OS 1:50,000 Sheet 101 Scarborough required)

At the T junction (c) turn left then 200 yards later turn right up the track. The forestry has trees of varying ages due to the rotational methods. A varied wildlife and plant life exist here and the Forestry have put up bird boxes to encourage this. Night-jars can be heard in the summer, a Kite has been spotted, and Deer are common. Cross over the main A171 and proceed up the forest track. To the right is the Falcon Inn which is open normal pub hours, and all day during the summer months. Along the track you will pass Wild Broom producing yellow flowers in May and June and Gorse flowering April to June. This track is popular with horse riders and can be muddy at times. After 1 mile you come out on the moor which is controlled for sheep grazing and grouse breeding. Stocking levels are controlled and farmers and parishioners can be fined for breaching rules on the moors. Sections of the moors are burnt off every year on a 14 year cycle to encourage new heather growth, both to prevent the heather from becoming woody and to provide the sheep and grouse with young shoots to eat. It also stops bracken taking over. The heather flowers in August and September and there is a lot of cotton grass in the water areas. There are plenty of Tumuli and Howes or small hills/barrows on the moor, evidence of former occupation. At the end of the track turn right and head for the old windmill in the distance, over the stile and along the track. When you reach the road at the Smugglers Rock Guest House carry straight on to Ravenscar. To the left at the gates to the Raven Hall Hotel is the National Park Information Centre, with maps, walks and history of the area. Ravenscar, standing on the cliff tops, was earmarked for being turned into a fashionable resort in 1880 but the developers went bankrupt after building the main road, the sewage system and three storey town houses in the town centre. It is reputed that George 3rd visited the Raven Hall Hotel during one of his bouts of madness, and it is possible to look round the grounds here for a charge. In the square are the Foxcliffe Tea Rooms.

Walk 5 Spring Flowers. Pond & Village Walk 1m 35 minutes

Start from the farm yard and follow the track that takes you south of the farm through Front Field and Barn Field, and down to the newly planted woodland and conservation area. A field gate brings you out onto a track (I]. Either turn right and follow this track which takes you past the church and on to the main road. Follow the road round through the village of Harwood Dale where there is a shop and a Post Office and continue on to the entrance to Keasbeck Hill Farm. Or stay in Barn Field and walk around the field edge, the bank at (j) is a mass of daffodils in spring and bluebells in May.

Walk 6 Hard Surface Trail 1m 30 minutes

A hard surface trail has been constructed for use by able and less able bodied people, and can be used throughout the year. There is a guide wire to help partially sighted walkers and an audio tape is planned for the future. The trail is approx. 1 mile long and passes varied habitats, including ponds, wetlands, tree planting, hedges and meadows, including Rigg and furrow. The walk starts in the farmyard and passes through an avenue of trees and turns by a copse of trees. As you follow the track note the walled ditch at (D2) and the 'wildlife corridor' created by the wide verges. The track continues to form a circular route, and you will see the new pond creation at P2 and return to the farm through meadow. At D1 you will be able to view a demonstration wall, showing different stages of construction. With help from the National Park and Countryside Stewardship Schemes we have created wildflower meadows, broadleaved woodlands, special bird havens, ponds and a small lake. We look after rare plants, have built a mile long hard surface trail and wetland board walk.

Education Information