Summary

A rough track way for nearly a mile long leads off from Corney Fell up to teh farm, passing through its fields. The fields are well designed with a barrier field between hoggs and their mothers. Another track way leads into the main court yard. This second track is used as a sheep pen in summer whilst shearing which is why it is lined with sycamore and ash for shelter and shade. At the bottom of the track is a modern wooden hut - disused. The Bowes family held Fenwick Farm from 1789 - 1983 when the Atkinson's took over. Presently the farm is being bought by the National Trust and will take on new tenants. (NT VBS Surveyor; 1995)

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Description

Fenwick Farm is a 17th century farmstead which has been remodelled in the late 19th century to an almost model farm plan and has been little altered since. It is a very neat and compact working farm with important buildings typical to the Lake District such as building *3 the bank barn, and also buildings quite unique to the Lakes; building *4 the sheep dipping shed. The buildings are in a good condition and most of them are used for their original purpose. This has resulted in the retention of some original features such as the shippon stalls and the interior of the dipping shed.

Buildings have been added onto the farm over the years, showing a change in farming techniques such as the dipping shed, and the post WWII implement shed to house tractors and threshers. Improvements have been made such as the building of the coach house, a building grander than the others. Such improvements and alterations are echoed in the development of the house, the new additions defined quite clearly.

Under the barn in building *1, when the floor surface was lowered, a paved area was found below indicating an earlier building and older OSW maps show a building of a different size and angle to the coach house which now sits in its place. The historical value may go back further because in 1866 and 1888 two stone axe hammers were found, they are possibly connected to Swinside stone circle nearby which indicates a Bronze Age population in the area.

A rough track way for nearly a mile long leads off from Corney Fell up to the farm, passing through its fields. The fields are well designed with a barrier field between hoggs and their mothers. Another track way leads into the main court yard. This second track is used as a sheep pen in summer whilst shearing which is why it is lined with sycamore and ash for shelter and shade.

At the bottom of the track is a modern wooden hut - unused.

The farm is laid out in a court yard design with house, bankbarn and barn forming three sides to it. Behind the barn is another small yard bordered by building *2 (1888 barn) and enclosing the privy and sheep smitting pen.

The Bowes family held Fenwick Farm from 1789 - 1983 when the Atkinson's took over, presently the farm is being bought by the NT and will take on new Tenants.

The farm is approximately 280 metres above sea level and is in an exposed position on fell land with spectacular views across to Duddon Sands and further on to Liverpool. The proximity of the buildings and the surrounding fields form a neat unit which fits well on the fell side and has become an intrinsic part of the landscape.

(NT VBS Surveyor; 1995)

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