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History of Broadrayne Farm
The name 'Broadrayne' through various spellings traces back to the old Norse language and translates as 'Broad' [wide] and 'rein' [long strip]. Indeed the farm sits above what would have been the flood plain of the valley and below the high fells behind the farm. Our oldest maps and the field walls tell us that the farm indeed extended further to the north in a long strip. Whether people lived here or just used the land we cannot tell, but for the name to survive, something must have happened here for a very long time.
The farm house stands on a large boulder base; there was probably an earlier building than the present house which dates to circa 1620 (it was a tradition to rebuild on the same site as the previous one). The stone walls around the farm and the shape of the fields also reflect a similar date. Our deeds and a very early map tell us that these fields were enclosed before the 1720s.
The Barn and outbuildings
The outlying barn to the North has always been known as the bracken barn; the bracken was used for animal bedding and some was probably burnt to make potash which was in turn made into soap to scour the grease from the wool before it was spun and sold. The building attached to the north of the farmhouse (now the Woolloft) was the original cow byre with storage above for animal feed and the fleeces awaiting processing. |
The little building just adjacent to this was latterly used for the feed store but originally had an outside wooden staircase for the hens that lived above and the farm pig below. The little two storey barn at the side of the largest barn was built in the early years of the 19th century with storage for hay, barley and oats on the top floor and a stable and shippon below for cows. The oats and barley would have been grown in the meadows further down the valley; no wheat could have been grown in the valley as it is too wet. Broadrayne Farm has over the years bred some of the best sheep in the Lake District.
The grey-faced sheep you can see round the farm are Lakeland Herdwicks - descendents of sheep that have been on this farm for generations. These are Broadrayne Sheep and are marked with the Broadrayne own flock mark but are owned and managed now by our next door neighbour. The geese, ducks and chickens you see round the farm are all free to roam at will, many are unusual or specialist breeds - please ask before feeding them.
The picture above shows a remarkable scene of farm hands salving the sheep outside this building circa 1880 (salving involved waterproofing the sheep's fleece with a mixture of hot tar and rancid butter. This also helped to keep down the number of sheep parasites).
Environmental & Conservation Policy
Conservation and Being Green
The Lake District National Park is a very special place, and we care profoundly that our visitors both appreciate and understand that its special nature is maintained in a sound sustainable way.
Read more about our environmental policy.
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