Farm history

On the outskirts of the Peak District National Park overlooking the beautiful Cordwell Valley sits Unthank Hall Farm where the Lowe family has lived since the 17^th century.

The origins of Unthank Hall remain a mystery, some believe the Hall derives its unusual name from the old English ‘un panc’ which means land held against the will of the owners, in other words, the earliest inhabitants of Unthank were squatters.

It was more than likely founded by the Angles who were attached by the sheltered spot nestling in the protective shade of the southern hills and nearby deciduous forest which would have been used as a supply of oak to build the existing crook barn.

It is thought that the Lowe family, who came from Cheshire, was tenants at the Hall long before we brought the house in 1673.

Around our home there are more tangible signs of the Lowe family – wealthy enough to commission a plasterer to decorate upstairs rooms with elaborate friezes, including a devils face over looking the main bedroom. There is also evidence of the family employing a butler as his parlor is on the stairs.

As it stands now Unthank Hall Farm sits in 155 acres of farm and woodland and includes the grade 2 star listed main farm house and crook barn, ‘The Stables’ cottage, a Dutch barn and various outbuildings that have been used as milking parlors, animal housing and the like.

The farm has been owned by the Lowe family for 450 years. Previously used as a dairy farm for many generations. This thriving dairy business was the first to have a pedigree herd in the area, but in 1999 a freak lighting storm wiped out 32 cows from the herd resulting in a change of business two years later.

As for the future at Unthank, John my father is an only son so there nearly wasn’t one for the Lowes, but Julie my mother has made up for that having five sons, so we can safely say there’ll be Lowes at Unthank for many years to come.

Now as the generation of the Lowe family myself Daniel and my fiancée Charlotte are working together to restart Unthank Hall as a traditional working farm. Since December 2006 we have diversified from a dairy to meat production and have changed its role to accommodate outdoor reared pigs and cattle. Outbuildings are now used for breeding sows and their piglets, winter housing for cattle and cold stores. We also have a barn converted as stables for our horses and free range chickens and ducks.

We want to return Unthank Hall back to its full potential as a working farm.

Unthank Hall Traditional Meats Unthank Hall Farm , Holmesfield, S18 7WF, United Kingdom - Show map - Tel: 07921251634 Email: charlotte_maude@hotmail.com
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