BRAESTEADS FARM

PATTERDALE

THE FARM

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

VISITORS

BRAESTEADS FARM is a traditional fell beef and sheep farm in the Grisedale valley near the village of Patterdale. Paul Renison works full time on the farm with the help of a part time employee and shepherding contractors.

The farm is overshadowed by Dollywagon Pike and St Sunday’s Crag and the sheep flock grazes the Helvellyn range which rises to over 3000 feet.

HISTORY

Braesteads Farm is an amalgamation of two farms – How Elm Farm which is now used to house cattle and Braesteads itself. The farm was originally part of the Marshall Estate, which included Patterdale Hall and several other farms in and around Patterdale. The farmhouse dates from the early 19th century.

Paul Renison has farmed at Braesteads since 2002 on behalf of the Scott family.

LOCATION

TERRAIN

The inbye fields are relatively flat with 40 acres capable of mowing for hay/silage. The intakes are steeply sloping and similar to the fell in terms of grazing. The fell is grassy and rocky with small areas of heather.

Grisedale Valley has an “alpine” feel with steeply sloping sides and views of lofty crags.

SIZE OF THE FARM

The farm is 536 acres of which 393 acres are steeply sloping intakes and 123 acres of inbye land. There are 20 acres of mixed woodland. The farm has rights to graze on Grisedale Forest common which includes the east side of the Helvellyn range – an area the equivalent of around 1600 acres.

LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS

The sheep flock consists of 800 Swaledale ewes and 100 Cheviots. The farm breeds its own Swaledale replacements for the fell flock. Most lambs are sold as stores. Some are fattened on grass in Lancashire and sold deadweight through Welsh Country Foods. Some of the lambs are kept for a further season and sold as “Braesteads Mutton”.

There are 20 pedigree Simmental suckler cows and 2 Belted Galloways plus calves. Stirks are sold through Penrith Auction and breeding stock is available for sale direct from the farm. The Renisons are currently planning to expand the Galloway beef enterprise and are considering direct marketing in future.

GRAZING & CONSERVATION

Braesteads Farm is in the Lake District ESA scheme and as part of the agreement off winters a proportion of the ewes to reduce grazing pressure on the fell. There is a Sheep and Wildlife Enhancement Scheme agreement on Grisedale Forest.
Under this scheme stocking rates on the common have been reduced and shepherding is supported.