Bleng Barn, Mill House Farm, Wellington Cumbria

Training and Activity holidays

Bleng Barns’ situation is an ideal base for a large range of activity holidays:-

Plant and Animal Identification

The Farm has its own identification booklets for all ages to check their knowledge of the countryside, these include:-

1.     Winter Plants

2.     Spring Plants

3.     Summer Plants (Under development)

4.     Autumn Plant (Under development)

5.     Birds (Under development)

6.     Mammals (Under development)

7.     Breeds of Livestock (Under development)

Two of the easier plants to be found and identified

These can be useful for keeping children occupied when mum and dad are relaxing or making preparations for the day ahead.

Walking and Climbing

The Western lakes and fells are ideal areas for walkers and climbers, largely unspoilt Wasdale, Ennerdale and Blengdale our own virtually unknown valley provide lovely areas for both the serious climber and the holiday maker just wanting to relax in beautiful surroundings.

Horse Holidays

Bring your own horse and enjoy the beautiful off road riding in the Western Lake District . Numerous bridleways surround Bleng Barn allowing off road access up to the surrounding fells or down to the sea.

A couple of riders ready to explore the nearby forest and fell.

The long sandy coastline is nearly an hour’s ride away, along quiet leafy lanes and provides lovely stretches of sand for long gallops or just exploration.

Livery can be provided for up to ten or more horses or ponies depending on the time of year. This ca

Sheep husbandry and lambing weeks

Two weeks are available in the year (see tariff) for groups or families to either block book or come as individuals (A minimum of 6 individuals are required for the course to progress). Other family members are welcome

The aim of these courses is to learn the basics of sheep husbandry, and the latest techniques for lambing, lamb resuscitation, and lamb survival.

These courses are available for people of all ages and abilities, it covers the theory and practice that is required to shepherd flocks of all types and sizes. The course is delivered by fully qualified agricultural lecturers.

Dry stone walling

Weeks dry stone walling course (see tariff) to deliver the basics of dry stone walling for groups or families. Only one week is available in the year 2006(date to be confirmed) for groups or families to either block book or come as individuals

10^th March and 12^th May  for 2 day introduction to dry stone walling in conjunction with instructors from the dry stone walling association

(A minimum of 6 individuals are required for the course to progress).

This is a nationally recognised qualification and can be progressed to Lantra level 2 with a further week’s course, which will be available at a later date.

This qualification is useful for farmers and landowners but also for people wishing to start a new career.

Hedge Laying

A hedge laying 3 day course can be incorporated into most weeks in January and February for an extra fee of £100 per person (Minimum number of 4 will apply).

11^th February  3 day introduction  to hedge laying and 14^th  Feb advanced hedge laying using a chain saw for candidates that have their chain saw certificates only.

Students will learn the art of hedge laying by hand or with the use of a chain saw if they hold a suitable chain saw certificate.

Students will learn to lay hedges in the Cumbrian style but will also be able to recognise the different styles pertaining to different areas in the UK . This does not lead to a nationally recognised qualification but all the candidates should be able to lay hedges to a good standard by the end of the week.