The Working Farm

Hazel Brow is a traditional family run farm located in the middle of Low Row village, in the heart of Swaledale within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Pennine dales Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

The farm land ranges from internationally famous hay meadows at 200 metres above sea level, bordered by the river Swale, one of England's fastest flowing rivers to wild heather moorland at 550 metres above sea level.

Brothers David and Raymond Calvert farm 93 hectares of enclosed land (inbye) which is divided up into 94 fields by 15 kilometres of dry-stone wall! Through the summer months the cattle wander through Low Row grazing on 91 hectares of shared common land around and above the village. Melbecks moor extends to 1416 hectares of shared grazing for the 'hefted' flock of Swaledale sheep.

Grass is the only crop grown in this part of the Dale and our species rich meadows are cut for hay and silage during the summer months to make winter feed for the animals. We only manage to take one cut due to the short growing season. Concentrated feeds and straw are bought in.

Livestock on the farm include: Friesian dairy cattle, beef cattle, calves, 500 Swaledale sheep and an assortment of pigs, hens, ducks and geese that are kept for home produce.

To glimpse some of this livestock, through the seasons, please view this short video. Left click to view in media player, or right click and "Save Target As..." to download on to your hard disk. File size 2.69 mb (Approx. 5 mins to download while you continue browsing) With special thanks to Fourum for the music, "Kisdon Foss" from "The Making of Swaledale" FRM CSO1