Footpaths & Permissive Access to our Farm

Our farm has two public rights of way over its ground, the total distance these represent is close on 2 miles.  In addition, our farm has a Permissive Bridleway, which is 1.81 miles long.  So in total we have over 3 miles of public access to this farm. 

Our guests enjoy somewhat more extensive access to our farm while with us. 

Many people in our community use these paths, and we have found that the Permissive Path in particular (for which we provide off road parking in our yard) has grown very popular, especially with dog walkers, as it takes advantage of a stone track and is comfortable walking, even in wet conditions. 

We are pleased to share the farm in this way, and our especially proud of the negligibly way these arrangements work. We aim to be thoughtful and welcoming farmers, and find that the community that use our footpaths are respectful of our work and are actively helpful in bringing things to our attention. 

Soulton returns to BBC1. A second "Escape to the country".

Soulton Hall returned to BBC1 for some location filming in BBC1's "Escape to the Country", this time hosted by Jules Hudson.

Here are some screen caps from the program:

Within the UK, for one week from today, you can see the program via the iPlayer here.

Online Booking and Availability, coming soon

Last year we invested in a computerized booking system (having relied on a paper diary for 38 years), on the basis that it would enable us to implement online booking for the greater convenience of out guests.  

Transferring booking systems was a daunting prospect, and we were anxious to avoid having too many new things all happening at once.  We thought it best to walk before we tried to run. We are now very comfortable wit this system. 

Work is now well under way to deliver this enhanced service, which will be available soon.  

Renewables and Greening Update

We have now published all Energy Performance Certificates for our Cottages.  You can find these at the following locations:

Keeper's Cottage

Ploughamn's Cottage 

Herdsmans Cottage 

Shooter's Lodge

There is no legal mandate to have these reports for self catering rentals, but we think it is a good way of focusing our thinking in this area.  

This, along with the renewables review for Soulton Hall itself completed by 7Y energy last spring, means that all of the areas of Soulton Hall (sadly not publishable online: propitiatory to 7Y) have been reported on.

Our solar PV array has already generated 9,000kWh.  This equivalent to 8 tonnes of carbon, and already the output in a few short months has been enough for 3 average households for a year.  

Active consideration is going into ground source heating for Soulton Hall.