Features
The First 300 Years
It is believed that there has been a property at Rye Hill for about 400 years, this would tie in with the area having a large smelting foundry at Dukesfield just below us here on the banks of Hexhamshire's Devils Water river. It is said they would have up to 300 horse loads of lead ore a day arriving from the Pennine mines in 1800.
The house and buildings of Rye Hill date back to the 17 century and are constructed of local stone from Ladycross Quarry 3 miles away in Slaley Forest; it is still in existence being one of the last hand worked quarries in the UK.
There has been a settlement at Slaley since the Norman Conquest. The area was much involved with the Border Reivers battles in the middle ages, Rye Hill was probably used as a lookout point as there is a Pele Tower [a fortified building where livestock was housed on the ground floor with the dwelling above accessed with a ladder drawn up at night] at Sheild Hall just below us in the Devil's Water valley.
Recent times
When we moved here as a family in 1980, the farm needed improvement and a lot of work had to be done to make it as it is today. My aim was to retain as much of the old character of the buildings as possible and as a result there are no new buildings. I have tried to adapt what was here although a few livestock sheds had to be demolished as they were well beyond their best.
In 1987 I took the decision to start the B&B, it took nearly a year to get to opening day. To begin with half the rooms had en suite bathrooms but within 2 years they were all en suite as that is what everyone wanted. In 1990, the year of the Gateshead Flower Festival, more buildings were made into a holiday cottage for 7 people complete with good wheel chair access.
In 2006 my daughter and her family came back to live on the farm, in what had been the holiday cottage and we altered some more buildings so that we were still able to have a self catering holiday cottage as before.
Environmental Awareness
Here at Rye Hill we try to be as environmentally aware as is practical. We have solar water heating panels on the roof, use environmentally friendly light bulbs, line dry the washing outside if the weather is fair and have good insulation in the walls and roof. We grow an assortment of fruit for breakfasts and make all the jams and marmalade.
On the farming side we no longer use artificial fertiliser on the fields, use as little chemical weed killers as we can preferring to top cut the fields for weeds. We have just planted an extra Hawthorn hedge round the camp site for better wind protection and more bird life. We always re plant trees whenever space becomes available.
The Locality
Rye Hill Farm is set on a ridge 5 miles south of the ancient market town of Hexham. Being at 220 metres means we have great views over this farming area with its many woods and steams. The farming is mostly livestock in the hills and more arable in the Tyne valley where conditions are not so harsh. Rye Hill Farm has always had livestock as the ground and elevation make the ground not good for ploughing or growing crops other than grass. We still run a small flock of commercial sheep that lamb in March.
To the south of Rye Hill there is Slaley Forest which is threaded with rough roads and a sculpture trail, wonderful for walks with the dog or children. There is also Blanchland Moor, part of the North Pennines, with grouse and heather and open skies to die for!
Local Facilities
In the middle of Slaley village we are fortunate to have The Rose and Crown, a community owned pub, which is noted for its very friendly atmosphere and good home cooking.
Slaley also has a lively village community shop, open every day. They have a wide range of produce including daily Newspapers and an interesting wine selection. Hexham and Corbridge are only 15 mins drive away and have an interesting array of unique shops and large supermarkets. They both have Service Stations.
Dark Skies of the Uplands
We have wonderful starry skies due to the lack of light pollution, so here at Rye Hill Farm, star gazing could be a nightly experience on clear nights especially from late September until March. Not just starry eyes but real stars all around you! You can find out more here.
