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.
iFrom 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!
