Education

We actively encourage educational visits to the farm. Groups are advised to contact us first. It will enhance your visit if you print a copy of the map of Keasbeck Hill Farm together with these notes. Suggested Activities on the Farm include the following ·

  • History of the site and the effects of past and present human activities. 
  • General field studies of observation and recording. The site offers tremendous opportunity to record a variety of interesting habitats including woodland, grassland, pond and wetland.
  • Discussion of measures taken to conserve valuable landscapes and habitats.
  • Study of wild flowers, birds and mammals.
  • Art work in the form of sketches or photography or using found natural materials.
  • Map and compass work.
  • Walks.
  • Sitting, looking and listening.

See also
Details of walks
Walks Map.

Introduction to Keasbeck Hill Farm

Keasbeck Hill Farm lies in Harwood Dale, 7 miles north west of Scarborough, 10 miles from Whitby and about 3 miles from the east coast. The farm is within the North York Moors National Park, and covers 200 acres on the east side of Broadlands Beck and the southern slopes of Fylingdales Moor. Much of the area around the Dale is forestry. For at least four generations the farm was in the hands of the Knaggs and Simpson family who were one of the oldest farming families in the Dale. The farm had been bought from Lord Derwent when parts of the Derwent Estate were sold off and peat rights had been granted by the Lord of the Manor allowing locals from the Dale to dig peat on the moors above. The present owner, Mr. John Simpson, is a grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Knaggs

Conservation Areas

Mr. Simpson has developed a Whole Farm Conservation Plan for the farm, which aims to protect and enhance the conservation value of his land. This had involved him entering the land into schemes and agreements with varied organisations. In addition to Countryside Stewardship these include the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group [FWAG), North York Moors National Park, English Nature, Forestry Authority, Rural Development Commission and the European 5B initiative and the Tourist Board.

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