Estate re-opens village shop for the first time in 20 years in Yorkshire's daffodil country

Possibly the most-asked question within this dale’s community over many years has been if and when it would have its own village shop once again.

Well, that time has come at last!

After the daffodils disappear until the next spring there is a regular flow of walkers, cyclists and holiday makers enjoying the peaceful nature of the dale where farms and cottages are scattered liberally throughout, between the road from Gillamoor at one end to Blakey Ridge at the other.

The dale’s two mini-hubs, the hamlets of Low Mill and Church Houses have little in the way of facilities but a new move by Farndale Estate has seen the return of the village store after nearly twenty years.

Harriet Lyon, graduate assistant estate manager, said the opening of the new village store was something those who live in the dale have been wanting to see for some time.

“The nearest all-year round shops are in Kirkbymoorside or Castleton and they are both eight miles away. There’s not too much else in the dale where you can purchase food or drink other than the Feversham Arms pub in Church Houses and the Daffy Café which is at the Church Houses end of the Daffodil Walk and is open from March to October.

“At parish council meetings, held in the lovely new village hall that was built a few years ago, the return of the village store, has long been a topic of conversation and Farndale Estate is delighted to have brought it back for the community.

The store opened recently where it was previously situated in Low Mill opposite the entrance to the Daffodil Walk car park and The Band Room,

“The aim is to save travel time and the cost of fuel and to serve the community who live in the dale,” says Harriet. “We also hope it will provide a very handy service for those who come to holiday in Farndale staying at the number of beautiful holiday cottages.

One of the most significant and sustainable aspects of the new village store will be its emphasis on local produce from livestock reared in the dale. Harriet said this shows the commitment being made by Farndale Estate to the future of farming in the valley.

“We really want to support local farmers through produce we stock and the estate, while not having any in-hand farms, has invested in livestock that one of our tenants is rearing on the estate’s behalf to stock the village store with home-reared beef and pork.

“We will be selling beef from our Aberdeen Angus cattle and pork from our Berkshire pigs. Our aim is to have a continuous supply throughout the year, as the store is very much about being open all year round. The herd presently runs to eight cows with calves plus eight yearlings.

Harriet said the new shop’s range of produce would reflect both the necessities and niceties that local people and visitors would enjoy and shows that Farndale Estate is committed to its community and the future of the dale.

“The village store will stock all of the produce that those who live in the dale would need on a daily basis, from milk, bread, cereals, eggs and more. It will also hold an alcohol licence and it will be stocking such as locally produced gins, wine and beer.

“During the summer, when the dale has its fair share of visitors of either walkers, cyclists passing through or those staying in the dale, it will serve ice creams and other take-out foods; and during winter, hot soups and hot drinks.

Harriet said the new village store is part of a raft of new moves being made by the estate.

“Farndale Estate is a progressive and vibrant estate that is committed to investing in, protecting, and enhancing the natural, cultural, built, and economic environment. The reopening of a village store is a major step and is part of a number of key developments being undertaken around the dale.

“Behind the new village store is The Dairy which is a newly renovated 2-bedroomed property, part of the Mill Farm site which had been derelict for some years. That is where the shopkeeper will live.

“Farndale Estate has also invested in the rest of the Mill Farm site which now sees a new 1-bedroomed holiday cottage, The Byre, and Mill Farmhouse, a 4-bedroomed holiday let. The investments made in the new village store and holiday accommodation will also create new jobs in the dale, further enhancing the community life here.

The estate has several holiday cottages as well as many long-term let residences. Harriet was keen to stress the commitment being made by the estate to the community of the dale.

“Where properties become vacant, the Estate is keen to house permanent long-term residents especially those with young families that can support local schools. Just recently we have had a young family come to the dale. We are currently also refurbishing a number of properties for residential use.

“The village store and Mill Farm are just a couple of a range of projects that the estate is working on at the moment. We are absolutely delighted to be bringing back the village store that was a hub of village life as a smithy and butchery many years ago.

“We see the village store as a new hub for the community, championing local and regional products, and offering convenience for our local community as well as serving tourists visiting our famous daffodils or just coming to see our beautiful dale.

Farndale’s village store opened in June.