About Us
Welcome to Pickersgill Manor Farm on Silsden Moor, Yorkshire. We are a working farm situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Lisa and Marcus Preston, Holly and William. We have a mixed farm on Silsden Moor in the heart of Yorkshire. Our house looks old but we built it 23 years ago – we lived for 6 years in a caravan first. It took 15 years to get planning. Marcus has lived here all his life, his Dad farmed next door to us.
Marcus’ Mum’s family farmed up past beautiful Settle and it is rumoured the family where mentioned as farmers in The Doomsday Book. My family farmed over the hill viewed from our house on Addingham Moorside, if you want a stunning walk there is a seat right on the top dedicated to Granddad.
Agriculture has changed massively in the last 30 years. It is not as simple as passing on the farm to the next generation. Marcus works off the farm shearing, walling and foot trimming cattle. I work at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, just over the hill at Bolton Abbey. Holly is currently working for Timothy Taylors, brewery and William is a butcher. Farming is done early morning, evenings and weekends. We live in a stunning location and we are happy to share it with you.
Walkers will find scenery and a challenge to suit everybody whether you prefer a gentle stroll at Bolton Abbey, a long walk over the limestone uplands of Malham, or you could simply park the car and set off straight from the Farm.
Shoppers can indulge. The fabulous Leeds is 30 minutes by train, Boundary Mills 25 minutes by car, Harrogate 35 minutes by car or visit the lovely independent shops in nearby towns, Ilkley, Skipton and Grassington.
You might recognise some of our scenery from the TV. The Calendar Girls and James Herriot filmed in Grassington. Peaky Blinders filmed at Dalton Mill and Newby Hall. Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack not far away in Halifax. The Brontes from Haworth and the Railway children from Oxenhope.