Cannon Hall Farm facts for kids
Cannon Hall Farm is a busy working farm and a fun place to visit! It's located near the village of Cawthorne, close to Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. The Nicholson family has owned and run the farm since it opened to visitors in 1989. It was even named the Best Tourist Experience at the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards in 2011.
Cannon Hall Farm used to be the main farm for Cannon Hall, a large house built by the Spencer-Stanhope family. That house is now a museum! Roger Nicholson, who created the farm and its attractions, took over the land when he was just 16 years old.
The farm is home to many animals, including sheep, goats, and pigs. Each year, they raise over 750 lambs and produce 800 piglets! Besides seeing the animals, visitors can enjoy an adventure playground, a huge tube maze, a farm shop, a deli, a gift and toy shop, and a restaurant.
Cannon Hall Farm on TV
In 2018, Cannon Hall Farm became famous when it was shown on a TV program called Springtime on the Farm. This show was broadcast on Channel five from April 9 to April 13, 2018. It was so popular that it was brought back in 2020 as a weekly show called This Week on the Farm.
Special Award for the Farm
In June 2020, Cannon Hall Farm received a very special honor called the Commonwealth Points of Light Award. This award is given by Her Majesty The Queen, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the British Government, and the Commonwealth nations.
The farm earned this award for their daily live broadcasts on social media during the Coronavirus lockdown. These broadcasts helped people feel connected and entertained while staying safe at home.
Farm History
The earliest mention of Cannon Hall Farm dates back to 1650. At that time, William Hewet sold the farm and its land to Robert Hartley. Later, it was sold to John Spencer, and the Spencer family owned the farm until 1775.
For hundreds of years, the farm was part of the Cannon Hall Estate. It was well-known for its excellent Large White pigs, which were a special type of pig. In 1957, the estate was divided up, and Charles Nicholson bought the farm. Today, his son, Roger Nicholson, continues to own and run it.
