The History of Hay House Farm

The Lay Subsidy Roll of 1327 lists Henry de la Hay among the nine tax payers in Ipstones. One of the early meanings for the word "Hay" is an enclosure or hedged area. The enclosures then became farm centres and acquired buildings. If there was occupation in the Hay by 1327, then the present Hay House is not the first and may indeed be a matter of development from an earlier house.

The earliest document amongst the Hay House deeds is an Indenture dated 1564.

The deeds for the Hayhouse or Heyhouse, as it is regularly spelt, are at Keele University in the Sneyd Ashcombe collection, being of such historic importance. They indicate that for at least two centuries, and certainly during the first two building phases of the house, the farm was in the hands of the Sherwin family. An Abstract of Title was made after the death of Richard Sherwin in 1738. Those described as yeomen commonly owned several properties or businesses and the Abstracts trace details for all of these. The last Sherwin owner sold the property in 1741. By the 1760s, it was part of the Aston Estate, Lords of the Manor of Bradnop.

Hay House Farm continues to welcome descendents of families who once farmed here, now tracing their family tree, including the Sherwins (1500 to 1600s), Critchlows (1700s) and Richardsons (1970s).

Hay House Farm today is a thriving, country guest house and registered smallholding of ten acres of pastureland, with a small flock of heritage breed Ryeland Sheep. Our free-range chickens, both Warrens and Black Orpingtons, wander contently around our land, supplying us with rich, yellow breakfast eggs and our expanding vegetable plot increasingly contributes towards the evening dinner menus.

The Village of Ipstones

Ipstones is an ancient, rural village, with a thriving, caring, close-knit community, supporting a family butcher's, village shop with post office, agricultural suppliers and three public houses. St Leonard's Church and Ipstones Methodist Church offer an invaluable service within our small community base. We are also privileged to have a pre-school and first school, fire station and paramedic service within our village.

Throughout the year, Ipstones holds a number of fundraising events, including firemans' race, agricultural show, scarecrow festival, harvest festival and Christmas lights.

At Hay House Farm, we are proud to be part of this lovely community.