Sunday, September 05, 2010

Acton Scott Historic Working Farm

Just a short drive away from Ludlow is the Acton Scott Historic Working Farm.  Just off the main Shrewsbury road  between Church Stretton and Craven Arms it is reached by driving down quite a narrow road but once there you will find ample parking and a wonderful view of the Shropshire hills from the car park.

Used by BBC2 as a location for its series called 'Victorian Farm' - which I had seen - and  'Ben Fogle's Escape in Time' - which I hadn't.  As we walked around we could hear people saying every now and again- oh here's where they - 'made the bricks', 'sheared the sheep', 'mowed the hay' and etc.  It did all seem very familiar!

So, here is the oven where the bricks were made


and above is the black barn skills workshop where all sorts of rural crafts can be tried.


This is the inside of a shepherd's hut with a bench and table at one side and a hard wooden bed at the other.


The Bailiff's garden was very popular, as was his cottage where the lady of the house was making drop scones in the kitchen.   Unfortunately we'd just missed the butter making demonstration in the dairy.

In the photo below you can see the wagon and horses just going by the bailiff's cottage.

 
Through the dairy is the actual farm yard showing the pig sties; round the back of which is the blacksmith's forge.

From the Lawn Field at the back of the farm yard you can see the Acton family's house.  The red brick looked lovely in the bright sun light.
It was time for afternoon tea which was available in the School House Cafe.  By this time it was 4pm. and as the cafe closed at 4.30p.m. we had the place more or less to ourselves.


There was plenty to chose from.  Paul's coffee and walnut cake was apparently very tasty but I was slightly disappointed with my piece of carrot cake as it had a burnt bottom!


I forgot to mention that whilst crossing what is known as The Patch we had watched some children learning how to herd the sheep.


Of course we saw many other animals, livestock and poultry - and you could hear the donkey from quite a distance.  We had a lovely afternoon wandering around the farm.  It is well work a visit.


Next week we are off to the coast for a few days - see you when we return!

14 comments:

  1. It looks like a really enjoyable day out. I like the view of inside the shepherd's hut! Enjoy your days at the beach next week! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. As you know, its on my list! It looks wonderful. I love Victorian TV programs - can you remember The Victorian garden (with Harry Dodds) and The Victorian Kitchen (with Ruth Mott) I loved them all. Enjoy the sea air!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, lucky you! Again on the road! Have a great time!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. OOpps! The above Diane is me - but used our private family blog to log in!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It was brilliant,wasn't it?
    We were there three weeks ago and loved our little wander around the place...and out trip back in time...not forgetting the coffee in the old school house!
    A wonderful trip! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's looks like a lovely place to visit. I've enjoyed watching both those TV series.Have a good break!
    Love Kathy xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. We love Acton Scott. It's a great farm, especially for the kids. xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great way to spend a day! I am always amazed at the amount of work it took just to keep "life" going so many years ago. Every step of every process for every morsel you put in your mouth was done on location. We are lucky to live in an easier time, when seeing all this is a day's outing and not our real lives! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT THIS WORKING FARM AND I`M SURE THAT MY KIDS WOULD LOVE IT TOO!
    AND WE THINK WE HAVE IT HARD... NOWDAYS!LOL
    AT LEAST WE DON`T HAVE TO MAKE BUTTER FROM SCRATCH AND SO ON!
    PLACES LIKE THESE... ARE SUCH EYE OPENER!

    DEBBIE MOSS

    ReplyDelete
  10. How cool! What an amazing place!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks a lovely place to visit. I enjoyed the Victorian Farm series. x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello, I'm so glad I found your blog. Very educational and interesting. I'm from Sweden, but I lived in England a long time ago, then I've lived in the US all the rest of my life. I love the way you list all the books you recently read. I only list the current book on my nightstand.--Inger

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved watching the series The Victorian Farm - it gave me an insight to what my ancestors lives would have been like back then as most of them were agricultural labourers or farmers back then.

    Acton Scott isn't too far from us so one day perhaps we'll have a day trip there, it looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd really like to visit here. I sat glued to Victorian Farm, and almost bought the book! x

    ReplyDelete