GAYTHORNE HALL FARM
LEVENS HALL FARMING PARTNERSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
Gaythorne Hall is situated in the Orton Fells Joint Character Area. Part of the beck running to the east is within the Eden River SSSI.
Upstream there is a duck pond installed by a shooting syndicate, with conservation benefits.FLORA
The woodlands are run within the Woodland Grant Scheme.
Upland heath under regeneration (ling and bell heather returning.
HEDGEROWS
Gaythorne Hall has been a member of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme since 1998, and there has been a programme of the replacement of fences by hedges.
FAUNA
Curlew, lapwing, snipe, red grouse. The black grouse have returned to the heather. Small mammals include bats, red squirrel, brown hare and roe deer.
© Copyright 2007
ARCHAEOLOGY
There is a lime kiln next to disused quarry, fence protected, and a Cairn (iron age burial mound) listed as Scheduled Ancient Monument.
VERNACULAR BUILDINGS & FEATURES
Grade I listed manor house dating from 1635.
Substantial range of traditional farm buildings (listed?).
Sheep wash near the steading in need of restoration (plans in hand).
Old smithy for travelling blacksmiths.
INCOME AND PAYMENTS
The land is designated as Severely Disadvantaged LFA; member of Countryside Stewardship Scheme; significant proportion of land under management agreements.
Currently an application is in process for the Higher Level Stewardship scheme.
The Cumbria Fells and Dales Leader + programme is based at Voluntary Action Cumbria and is part-financed by the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. This project is part of a trans-national project with Gévaudan Leader + Programme, Lozère, France.
© Copyright 2008 Cumbria Hill Farms