We are pleased to invite you for a day visit to the Ford & Etal Estates on Wednesday, 22 July.

Ford & Etal is one of rural Northumberland’s best kept secrets. Home to the Joicey family for over 100 years, this working estate has fascinating heritage attractions, beautiful countryside to explore and a long farming history.

On this visit, Lord James Joicey will show our group around the 13500 acre estate comprised of, among other amenities, some 35 farms, and will tell us about the history of the site, the development of farming over the last few decades and the incredible work the farming neighbours are carrying out.

Timings:

09:05 Depart in cars from Collingwood Arms Hotel. Please share transport – four to a car if possible

09:15 Arrive at Lady Waterford Hall, Ford.

09:45 Welcome and Introductions, with teas/coffees.

10:45 Walk through Ford Village to Ford Castle (exterior only)

11:15 Transfer to Heatherslaw (10 mins): Water-driven working corn mill

12:00: Departure by Heatherslaw Light Railway, to Etal.

12:25 Arrive Etal Station. Walk up to Etal Castle (300 metres) and view the Northumbrian Cider & Wine Company in the old chapel adjacent

12:45 Walk to Etal Village Hall (400 metres) for Buffet Lunch

13:45 Car drivers will be ferried back to Heatherslaw (3 mins ) to collect vehicles. Return to Etal to pick up their passengers.

14:00 Depart for Letham Hill Farm (5 mins)

14:45/15:00 Drive on to Slainsfield and/or Hay Farm (5 mins)

16:00 Return to Ford, stopping to view Belted Galloway herd.

16:30 End