Farming and Nature
Hedgeley Farms champions a fully sustainable approach to grass-fed beef and lamb production, with specialist breeds including Belted Galloway cattle, and Scotch Blackface sheep. With the River Breamish meandering through and encompassing serene lakes, the farm serves as a sanctuary for diverse bird and wildlife, including breeding goldeneyes and a thriving family of otters.
Hedgeley Farms is a family run farm located at the foothills of the Cheviot Hills in North Northumberland
The farm produces high quality grass-fed beef, lamb and crops. The heather-laden moors on the farm also house the bees who produce the honey sold in our small shop.
Our animal breeds have developed over many years to deal with our harsh climate and rough grassland to produce very high-quality meat. They mature much slower than intensively fed animals but its well worth the wait.
The lakes at Hedgeley were made from restored gravel pits with nature very much in mind. Each one of the nine lakes has been created and is managed in a distinct way to attract different bird species at certain times of the year. Adjustment of water levels is critical to attracting migrating wading birds in spring and autumn and breeding birds in summer.
Wildlife
Wildlife habitats can be found on the farm such as species rich hedgerows, established field margins and mature woodland. These habitats support a variety of wildlife from Grey Partridge to Brown Hares and breeding Barn Owls to Oystercatchers. The estate also has a well-established population of Red Squirrels as well as being part of the ‘Red Alert’ scheme which promotes red squirrel populations.
Hedgeley Farms won the Tye Trophy in 2007. This is awarded annually to the farm that has best incorporated conservation and environmental protection into commercial farming in the North East of England.
Conservation
The richness of life right on our doorstep is truly remarkable. From the hedgerows and woodlands to the vast expanse of Beanley Moor and the serene lakes, a recent survey revealed an astonishing diversity. Hedgeley is home to 133 different bird species, over 300 plant species, 75 moth species and a variety of other animals.
The estate also has a well-established population of Red Squirrels as well as being part of the 'Red Alert' scheme which promotes red squirrel populations.
We are also currently carrying out investigations to determine whether the Scots Pine trees growing on the estate are 'original native forest' - the type that covered the UK pre ice age before the land being subject to human interference. We have a large amount of circumstantial evidence which leads the Forestry Commission and Natural England, and ourselves, to believe we may have some very special trees on Hedgeley.
Belted Galloways
The Galloways and Belted Galloways are two of the toughest cattle breeds in the world. They have to deal with the highly challenging wet and cold conditions of our Scottish Border hills, due to which they have developed the two coats of hair which makes them unique. This means that our cattle spend practically their whole lives outside where they are happiest.
We aim to put 85 Galloways and 30 Belted Galloways to our bulls each year, with the replacement heifers going to the bull at two years of age.
Scotch Blackface
The base flock of the sheep are a Scotch Blackface which is the traditional breed of these hills and can cope with our particular conditions in the same manner as the Galloways.
Why Not Pitch Up?
Reserve your pitch at Low Hedgeley Campsite now and gear up for an unforgettable camping adventure.
