On the 14th May we welcomed Historic Environment Officers from UK National Parks, Historic England, the National Trust and Natural England.
The group first visited Wallington: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington before being welcomed by Ingram Valley Farm Safaris.
Chris Jones, Historic Environment Officer at Northumberland National Park led the day and has to be praised for his work with farmers looking after the National Park’s most important historical assets. We would like to thank Chris for his continued support.
We enjoyed a beautiful Ingram Café picnic at Bulby’s Wood in the bright sunshine before a presentation about the safari was held at Bulby’s Wood where Rebecca and Patrick spoke about farming at Ingram, how the team look after the rich archaeology of the farm, support nature recovery, produce food and how the archaeology and historic environment supports the farm business, access and public engagement. The team were introduced to Shepherd Michael who has become famous for his ‘Shepherd’s Tales on Safari’.
The farm tours are a brilliant way of providing authentic farm experiences in an outstanding landscape of scenic beauty, rich archaeological heritage, stunning wildlife and internationally significant habitats. The internationally significant archaeological heritage on the farm includes 570 hectares designated as a Scheduled Monument, the highest level of heritage protection in the UK. This includes the remains of settlement, farming and burial remains spanning some 5,000 years. Many of these remains comprise subtle earthworks or low stone-built features and can be sensitive to damage. The safari vehicles are light and robust and help keep an eye on such a sensitive landscape as-well as making sure the hillforts are preserved with the help of the National Park Rangers.
The safaris allow visitors access and personalised interpretation of the farm enterprise, the natural history and the nationally important archaeology on Ingram Farm; in particular Northumberland’s Largest Scheduled Ancient Monument.
We would like to thank the strong support from the Historic Environment Team in making the heritage on the farm accessible to a wider and more diverse audience.
The farm provides excellent hill-walking country, but access is difficult for those with mobility requirements. The safari also facilitates greater accessibility through enabling those who could not otherwise experience the beauty and richness of this landscape to now do so.
The safaris help provide visitors with rewarding and life enhancing experiences in one of the UK’s finest landscapes.
A large group of archaeologists (about 20 in total) went on the hillfort walk, two groups in the safari vehicles with the smaller group walking along the level to the farm buildings to meet Jenny from Mosedale Gillat Architects to talk about the Historic Farm Buildings Project with Rebecca.
One of the highlights was seeing swallow nests in the farm buildings. The farm works with a wildlife consultant who worked with a construction team on the historic building project installing barn owl boxes and leaving crevices in the stonework from which wild birds can enter to nest now that the buildings are weatherproof and watertight. The farm is grateful to Northumberland National Park for participating in the Historic Building Project with Natural England to help see historic farm buildings restored back to their former glory, with the aim to support local farming and preserve cultural heritage and education: https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/environment/restoration-project-for-farm-buildings-in-northumberland-national-park-3412601
The farm buildings are more than 200 years old, the remodelling by W.S.Roddam coming up to its 200th anniversary, the oldest buildings are probably 18th century, as historian Peter Ryder suggests. In 2026 we will be celebrating their official 200 year anniversary based on the W.S. Roddam date stone MDCCCXXVI.
There was so much to see in a couple of hours and everyone really enjoyed the afternoon with some fun and engaging, informative conversations and discussions before completing the day at Ad Gefrin: https://adgefrin.co.uk/
Thank you to Chris Jones and all the Historic Environment Officers for their participation which led to such a wonderful National Park Day. We look forward to welcoming you again for the 200th anniversary.
Main image: Blue lemon films
