About The Farm
Elmswell Farms extends to a little over 500 hectares and is situated at the headwaters of the Driffield Beck. The unit is mainly arable in nature, with cropping including Seed Wheat, Oilseed Rape and Vinning Peas – totalling 425 hectares. The remainder of the area includes woodland, permanent pasture and a SSSI adjacent to the beck. The farm was in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for ten years and is now in the second year of a combined ELS / HLS scheme. Through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and ELS / HLS Schemes areas adjacent to the SSSI have been substantially enhanced and include12 hectares of arable reversion. All fields have six metre grass margins and hedgerows are sympathetically managed for wildlife.... More on conservation
Elmswell lies in a rich and nationally important archaeological landscape, with sites dating from the Neolithic to the post medieval. The reuse of certain ancient landscape features as boundaries from prehistoric times to the medieval and consequently to the present day, has allowed the estate to carry on as a distinct and discrete parcel of land from at least the time of Edward the Confessor ( 1042 – 66 ). There is also evidence of the use of the local springs as a ritual site, which may have culminated in the presence of a late Roman shrine on or near Bramble Hill... More about the history
Springwell Fold
It is called a fold of Highland Cattle because, in the olden days in winter the cattle were brought together at night in open shelters made of stone called folds to protect them from the weather and wolves. Highland cattle have a long and distinguished ancestry, originating from western Scotland. They are one of Britain’s oldest, most distinctive and best known breeds, with a long thick flowing coat of rich hair and majestic sweeping horns. The breed is exceptionally hardy with a natural and unique ability to convert poor grazing efficiently making them ideal for use in conservation areas. The Springwell fold was started in 2012, with the purchase of 4 one year old heifers. A further 4 two year olds were added in 2013 and it is intended to breed from these next year. For the bulk of the year they are grazed on un-improved chalk grassland within a Site of Special Scientific interest, where they have already had a significant impact on the return of wild flowers to the area.
Arable Crops
Soil Type Description
The soil types at Elmswell fall into the following six categories:
Andover: Slightly stony silt clay loam.
Burlingham: Very slightly stony clay loam or sandy clay loam.
Frome: Stoneless silty clay loam.
Landbeach: Slightly stony sandy loam.
Pocklington: Moderately stoney sandy loam, slightly calcareous.
Weasenham: Slighlty stony clay loam or sandy clay loam.
All are suited to a wide range of combinable crops.
Winter Wheat
Every year in the region of 200 hectares of wheat is grown for seed and supplied to Frontier Agriculture, either being processed at Hutton Cranswick or Sandy in Bedfordshire. Up to eight varieties are grown, with a mixture of Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. Good yields are achieved in most years, with 95% plus achieving seed certification.
School Room Facilities
The school room is primarily available for school and other educational visits, but is also available for hire on a daily or half day basis.
• Room 5 X 15 metres
• Projector and Screen
• Seating for up to 50 adults
• Wood burner and central heating
• Full disable access and toilet facilities
• Unisex toilets
• Fully fitted kitchen with oven, fridge and dishwasher
• Hot drinks facility
• Refreshments can be provided (Tea/Coffee and biscuits)
• Catering can be arranged
• Free onsite parking, cars, mini buses and coaches.
