Bransdale
Bransdale one of the most isolated valleys in the North York Moors surrounded by high moors on all side
In the dale is the hamlet of Cockayne, which probably gets its name from its church (although the land of Cockayne was a mystical realm of luxury). Just to the west is Bransdale Lodge, a Georgian hunting lodge built by Lord Feversham. The Church of St. Nicholas sits at the eastern end of Cockayne and is a simple moorland church.
Bransdale Mill is probably more elaborate. The current mill was built in 1811 by William Strickland and his son Emmanuel Strickland, vicar of Ingleby Greenhow. The religious influence can be seen in the ‘improving’ texts in Greek, Latin and Hebrew carved into the mill walls. The mill is owned by the NT but isn’t normally open to the public. There has been a mill on the site since the late thirteenth century, and it was originally built by the Stuteville family.
The Dowsland Family
We moved to Moor Houses in the Covid lock down of 2020, having farmed in the dale from 2010. Adrian came from a farming background his family originating in the Moors and founded their closed herd of Limousins, a breed we still farm today. Adrians strong passion for Agriculture took him to study at Bishop Burton near Beverley before a year out travelling and working in Australia and New Zealand. On his return he became a self-employed contractor working for several large farms before taking on our 1st farm Spout House in Bransdale in 2010
Katrina found a passion for horses at the young age of 10 and soon got involved in the local pony club Morpeth Hunt before studying Equine at Kirkley Hall College part of Northumbia College. Katrina spent some time at an Equine veterinary practice in Sussex gaining valuable experience. Equestrian jobs and help running local riding clubs as built up a solid reputation with the Equine Community alongside her passion competing in all disciplines up to National Level as well as her passion for dressage judging and teaching.
Our Family grew in 2010 with our 1st Child Connor and 2nd Nathan in 2013. Both boys have got our passion for the farm and are always out helping where they can, Connors passion heartily lies with livestock, in particular his Valais Blacknose Sheep and Nathans with Machinery though he does love his Texel sheep.