MILLBECK FARM

GREAT LANGDALE

THE FARM

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

VISITORS

MILLBECK FARM is run by Eric and Sue Taylforth and their son. Eric Taylforth has been farming here since 1985 and they also work Field Head Farm at Hawkshead.

HISTORY

‘The names of these farms and their late appearance In the documentary record suggest that they were carved out of the woods and sheep pastures on the most favourable side of the valley at sometime between 1200 and 1500…Millbeck takes its name from the stream that once drove a watermill…By the time of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537 the property in Langdale was divided into two parts – the demesne, that is Baysbrown and much of the land on the southern side of the valley went to John Atkinson of Cockermouth, while ‘the tenements’, the medieval farms of the northern slopes [these include Side House, now amalgamated with Millbeck] were bought by Gawen Braithwaite.’ Roy Millward and Adrian Robinson, The Lake District, London, 1970, p.166

The farmhouse dates from 1621 and has original oakbeams, panelling, and fireplaces.

Joe Gregg, one of Beatrix Potter’s shepherds, came to this farm; the Gregg Family farmed Millbeck from 1935.

TERRAIN

Traditional Central Lakeland Fell Farm.

SIZE OF THE FARM

The total area of the farm is 250 acres of inbye with grazing rights for 1500 sheep and their followers.

LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS

The Livestock is made up of 2000 Herdwick and 100 Angus Suckler Cows.

Each year 250 Belted Galloway and Herefordshire cattle are bought in for fattening.

GRAZING & CONSERVATION

Stock numbers are limited and grazing is phased throughout the season under an ESA agreement. Currently it is well under the limit.

As the existing buildings are no longer suitable for cattle, the numbers have been reduced. This has led to a significant increase in the amount of bracken on the fell; the cattle used to trample into the ground which is a good way to control it.