Welcome to Yew Tree Farm
Yew Tree Farm with its distinctive ‘spinning gallery’ is in the beautiful Lake District, in a stunning picturesque setting, it is ideally located for all Lakeland activities. The farmhouse was built in 1690 and is one of the most photographed farms in the North.
The Herdwick Experience offers a unique and unforgettable visit!
Meet and bond with our very friendly ‘Ambassador’ sheep flock, who willingly provide guests lots of photographic opportunities.
The Herdwick Experience
Book yourself and up to 8 people on our Herdwick Experience. Bond with the Farm’s very friendly ‘Ambassador’ sheep flock!
Heritage Meats
Yew Tree Farm is home to Heritage Meats, which has an onsite butchery shop open to the public, selling meat produced right here on the farm.
Stay Here
The house is available to hire as self-catering accommodation. It is a wonderful way to step back in time, relax and enjoy the area at your leisure.
Weddings
Our distinctive cottage and barn, with its historically important spinning gallery, is the perfect venue for an unforgettably picturesque and unique wedding.
Jo McGrath Artist
I work from photos and from life, taking great pleasure in identifying and capturing the essence of an animal’s personality and character.
The Farm
From our peat bogs to our beauty spots, our natural farming methods result in an astonishing richness of plant life and all its associated fauna.
Herdwicks Cafe
Herdwicks Cafe and Bistro is set in the heart of the English Lake District, in the beautiful village of Coniston, serving tea, coffee, a selection of freshly baked homemade cakes, light lunches, and hearty meals. Open seven days a week you are sure to get a warm welcome! We’re extremely dog friendly and welcome well behaved humans too!
News from Yew Tree Farm
Cumbrian Farm to appear on ITV’s Love Your Weekend
The Herdwick Experience is set to appear in ITV’s flagship Sunday morning show, Love Your Weekend, presented by Britain’s favourite horticulturist, presenter, and author Alan Titchmarsh. The primetime morning show…
Forty Farms – Conversations about change in food, farming and landscape.
In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman, embarked on a year-long journey to record the stories of 40 farms across Cumbria. One of the farms she photographed was our farm, Yew Tree Farm, Coniston.
When Can I See Lambs?
The overriding query we have is – When’s the best time to see lambs or bottle feed one? There is a short answer and a long answer. I will give…
What our visitors say…
Our guests often describe their time at Yew Tree Farm as a highlight of their Lake District journey.
We had a fantastic morning with Jo enjoying ‘The Herdwick Experience’. Jo was very knowledgeable and was so welcoming, would recommend to anyone!
Ashleigh Moore
Customer
The Herdwick Experience is fantastic. Jo is so knowledgeable, and it’s amazing getting so close to the sheep. They are real characters! It’s a great present for someone who loves animals and the Lake District.
Tracy Dearnley
Customer
Visited Yew Tree Farm for the Herdwick experience today. Loved it. If you like Herdies it’s a must-do! Thank you Jo for a great visit.
Rosalind Goodman
Customer
Walk in the Footsteps of History
Yew Tree Farm is more than a destination; it is a living gateway to the heart of the Lake District. Whether you are following the winding trails once trodden by Beatrix Potter or exploring the rugged beauty of the surrounding fells, we invite you to immerse yourself in the stories and landscapes that make this corner of the world so iconic.
Get Your Walking Boots On
There is a well surfaced public footpath, which runs around the perimeter of our farmhouse fields (park at Glen Mary Car Park), plus an extensive network of waymarked footpaths and bridleways across Holme Fell, around Tarn Hows and the surrounding intakes from which you can explore. (Use Tarn Hows car Parks).
Please be aware that parking at the farm itself is limited, and available for customers only.
Did Beatrix Potter live here?
In 1940 Yew Tree Farm came up for sale. The National Trust wished to purchase the Estate In order to protect it, however at the time they could not raise the funds. Fortunately, Beatrix Potter better known locally as Mrs Heelis, a supporter of the National Trust, did have the funds to purchase the Estate. An agreement was struck between the two parties and Beatrix Potter successfully purchased the Estate in 1930 with a view to selling half of the Estate to the National Trust as soon as funds could be raised.