History of Rosemains Steading
The Steading first appeared on maps in 1752, that is 140 years before the tractor was even invented. In 2020 we finally moved the remaining farm equipment into a new shed ready for the old steading to be given a new lease of life and converted to workshops.
The Steading was the centre of the Preston Hall farming community, it would have been buzzing with the clatter of horse’s hooves on the cobbles, the bellowing of cows in the sheds, the chatter of the farmers, the grinding of mill stones or the melodic noise of the farm saw mill.
As a traditional mixed farm, the Steading would have produced a wide range of produce including cereal crops such as oats and barley, root crops of potatoes and turnips along with other winter veg. The farm would have kept animals for milk, and chickens, ducks and geese for eggs. The farm would have been mainly self-sufficient with very little brought in from off the farm. All timber for construction would be milled on the farm, stone would have been quarried from the land. A pretty eco-friendly business by today’s standards!
Over the past 60 years the steading has evolved and gradually lost much of its former character, with the horses no longer required, the cows moved to neighbouring farms and a reducing workforce as tractors took over much of the work. The farm is steading is still a calming place to be, but there is no doubt it is a shadow what it was in its hay day.
Having continually tried to squeeze ever bigger tractors into the sheds, the decision was made in 2018 to build a new shed fit for modern farming. This move gave us the challenge of finding a new use for these beautiful old buildings.
The conversion work carried out is our attempt to restore the buildings to their former glory and to bring back the buzz of a thriving community. If you would like to be part of this new community, we would love to hear from you.
