Farm History
Gibbs Hill Farm is a traditional working hill farm dating back to before the 17th century when the lawless violent Border Reivers held the borderlands in their fearsome grip, owing allegiance to neither the Scots nor the English.
Gibbs Hill was so named because the sheep stealers were hanged there on the gibbet as a warning to all! The present owners, a more peaceful family, are the fourth generation to farm here. The farm carries 50 suckler cows and calves and over 500 Swaledale cross ewes and lambs. There is also a small fold of Highland cattle to admire.
The Farm and the Environment
Integration into the Countryside Commissions Farm Stewardship Scheme and conversion under their MAFF organic farm scheme is indicative of the deep commitment that the family have to countryside and environmental care. Within the farm’s land, there are two 50 acre areas of ancient peat bog, which, has designated S.S.I’s, have been handed to The Northumberland National Park for their management.
The Gibson family’s commitment to the environment is demonstrated by :-
- Extensive Recycling facilities in place plus the use of all eco-friendly products and low energy light bulbs
Gibbshill is a Beacon accommodation Provider for Green Tourism Initiatives – this involves trying to promote and conduct her business in a sustainable and ethical way. We use Clarity soaps and eco friendly cleaning products. Clarity is a charity which gives employment to blind people.- The Gibson family received an Award for Farm Diversification from the magazine” Farming in the North” which covers Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire. The Judges stated the Gibsons provided ”a range of accommodation for a wide variety of holidaymaker allowing everyone to enjoy the countryside and experience a real working farm”.
- A rare area of Limesone pavement with grikes and unusual wild flowers is to be seen when you follow the access trail to the west of the farm.
NEWS: - George Clark from AMAZING SPACES stayed with us this summer to add to our list of Celebrity guests along with Aled Jones and Noel Edmonds.
- October 2014 South Korean TV stayed here and made a documentary on Tourism and Farming in The Northumbertland National Park