Classroom in a barn to help share the work of upland farmers

23 May 2023

A new outdoor classroom has been created on a North Pennines farm, enabling the local farm business to host a range of activities and educational visits for children, youth groups and the general public.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme, the North Pennines AONB Partnership team has been working with farmers, Jemma and John Clark of Bowlees Farm. Through the funding, the Clarks have transformed one of the existing barns on the farm into a fully equipped education barn.

Bowlees Farm is part of the Raby Estate and the barn is one of the distinctive white buildings that traditionally indicates that it is part of the estate. The works, such as sanding back beams and lime-washing the walls, have been sympathetic to the building’s heritage and help to retain the original character of the barn. Duncan Peake, Chief Executive of the Raby Estate said: “It is wonderful to see one of the Raby white barns being used for a completely new purpose and we’re particularly pleased that it will help people connect with and understand more about the role farming plays in looking after this landscape.”

The floor of the barn has been levelled, allowing disabled access to the classroom, and a new kitchen area, heating system, handwashing facilities and accessible outdoor toilet have been installed. The building is furnished with tables and chairs to complete its transformation into an education facility. There is a window between the classroom and the adjoining farm shed where visitors can see new arrivals to the farm as calves and sheep are being born. The project received £20,000 from the Tees-Swale programme, and was also supported by a substantial contribution from the Raby Estate.

Claire Hodgson, Tees-Swale Programme Manager with the North Pennines AONB Partnership said: “Part of our work through Tees-Swale is enabling more people to access the outdoors, in Teesdale and Swaledale, but also to help people understand how farmers like Jemma and John look after the land. This classroom is an ideal way to do that, connecting people who come along to events and activities, with upland farmers and farming.”

One of the first public events in the barn will be Open Farm Sunday on 11 June. The event, with farm walks, farrier demonstrations, arts and crafts, sheep shearing, and opportunities to meet the animals, has proved to be so popular that tickets are already sold out a month ahead of the event.

Farmer, Jemma Clarke, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming so many people to Bowlees Farm on Open Farm Sunday. The barn is going to be a fantastic asset, allowing us to host education activities and public events like these that will really help people understand the life and work of hill farmers here in the North Pennines.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted that thanks to National Lottery Players, we have been able to support the repurposing of this barn on Bowlees Farm and the creation of a new education centre, as part of the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme. This unique space, set within the amazing North Pennines landscape, will be a fantastic resource for local communities to explore the fascinating farming heritage right on their doorstep.”

Tees-Swale: naturally connected is a landscape-scale, natural heritage programme focusing on Teesdale in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.