About Us
Broom House is a windy spot at 750 feet, with fabulous views over the surrounding countryside, when the weather allows! The farm steading is on the top of the hill and the farmland rolls down the valley to the River Browney. Broom House is a livestock farm – so most of our fields grow grass and clover mixes. Some arable crops, such as oats and barley are grown, as well as peas and forage crops like kale – with the aim of creating a healthy rotation to improve the soil so that we can produce as much of our own feed for the animals as possible. We have a herd of beautiful Aberdeen Angus cattle, as well as a large flock of Lleyn sheep and a small herd of Saddleback pigs as well as a flock of laying hens. The aim is to breed all replacement animals on the farm, enabling us to improve the quality of our livestock through breeding.
Our animals are reared outside on grass and clover pastures in the drier months, with the young stock in particular being kept inside on straw in our barns during the muddiest winter months. We manage our livestock to the highest standards of welfare, with minimum use of medicines and bought in feeds and in October 2007 we obtained full organic status for the farm. All the farmland is organic, inspected annually by Organic Farmers & Growers. We are members of the British Red Tractor Assurance Scheme and are working towards Pasture Fed Livestock accreditation.
Come and visit and find out much more about us!
Conservation
The whole farm has been in the Higher Level Countryside Stewardship Scheme with the aim of preserving the beautiful North Durham landscape and improving conditions for wildlife on the farm. Some examples of our conservation work can be seen as you arrive here – we have restored hay meadows, made wildlife corridors, coppiced hedgerows, planted trees, restored ponds and rebuilt stone walls. In the 20 years that we have been here we have noticed an increase in curlews, brown hares, partridge and lapwing. In 2008 and 2012 we won the Durham area Tye Award which is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and in 2012 we won the inter-regional Tye Trophy for conservation.
Diversifications
In 2004 we opened a butchery on the farm, this has grown into a successful Farm Shop with many loyal local customers who have followed our steady progress with interest and pride. We remain committed to our core aim of selling only our very own Aberdeen Angus Beef, Lamb, Mutton and rare breed Saddleback Pork and have gradually added to our original offering by developing a range of complementary Farm Shop products – from organic milk, butter, bread and poultry to a delicious range of mustards, sauces and also a wide range of gifts.
In 2006 The Forest Adventure opened. This attraction is aimed at 5-12 year olds and was designed by our family for other families to enjoy.
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