Staffordshire Farmer Wins National Tourism Competition
Troutsdale Farm in Tittesworth scooped best eco-friendly farm holiday let and best overall farm holiday let in 2011 competition
Troutsdale Farm in Tittesworth, near Leek on the edge of the Peak District National Park, was named as the overall winner of a national competition to find the best farm holiday properties in late 2011.
See the new 2012 Let's Stay listing for Old Shire Stables
The Fields of Opportunity campaign, launched by holiday letting agency The Hoseasons Group earlier in 2011, set out to find most entrepreneurial farmers who have diversified and created a successful holiday letting business. The entries were judged by a panel which included members of The Hoseasons Group team and the NFU.
Troutsdale Farm, owned by the Turnock family, was a dairy farm before the family decided to concentrate their efforts on tourism, ensuring guests could enjoy the stunning surroundings of the Staffordshire/ Derbyshire Peaks. Work started to convert the two beautiful sandstone barns, which date back to the mid-1800s four years ago. The family were committed to retaining the character of the properties, including using traditional building methods and materials without impacting on the environment and the natural unspoilt area in which they sit.
In the first round of the competition, the farm was awarded most eco-friendly farm property due to the implementation of a number of eco initiatives including ground source heating, solar panels, rainwater harvest system and the creation of a new wildflower meadow.
Local craftsmen and British suppliers were used throughout the build process and the Turnock family pushed boundaries to ensure British-made products have been used throughout, from replacing timber cut from the farm’s own wood to sourcing British paint, curtains, bathroom suites, tiles and furniture.
Barbara Turnock said: “As a family we felt very responsible to ensure the old farm buildings were sympathetically converted, as we were keen to protect the history of the barns as much as possible. This led us to using traditional building techniques, which are often naturally environmentally friendly, such as lime plaster and organic linseed oil.
“We also wanted to use the conversion to continue supporting British farming and give something back, so have used British Wool Thermafleece natural insulation, as well as furnish the properties with carpets, rugs, throws and mattress liners all made from British Wool. It is the sheep grazing the fields in this area that helps to create the landscape that people enjoy whilst on holiday – if it also makes people aware of the fantastic home furnishing products that are available from our sheep industry and a way they can continue to support the countryside on their return home then even better.
“The project has been a fantastic collaboration of local expert craftsmen, local suppliers, friends and family and we are delighted to have been awarded the title of most eco-friendly property and overall winner. It’s testament to the efforts of so many people.”
Simon Law, property director at The Hoseasons Group said: “This entry really impressed the judges as the green initiatives were head and shoulders above everything we’d seen. Guests staying here get a real sense of being part of the countryside and in completing the conversion, the Turnocks have boosted the community, supporting local businesses wherever they can and providing a very unique and special place to stay.”
The family received a voucher for a Virgin Experience day to spend on anything from a driving day at Silverstone to a pampering day at a health spa and as overall winner, a Virgin hot air balloon ride.
