Group Bookings 2010
Food and drink
Capacity
For the whole group to be seated at the same time we have a maximum group size of 25 minimum 15 people.
We can accommodate groups of 40 at a time, however can only seat 30 for food or drinks in one session, we ask groups of a larger size to split in to two and alternate between taking teas and having walk/talk (we can provide this in English with a translated (Japanese) information leaflet if required.
The time of the group- Earliest booking 11 am groups should be on the premises no later that 5pm.
Parking
We do not offer coach parking. We can take groups transported by coach if they get off at Glen Mary Car park (150m North of the Farm) and walk the short distance to the Tea room/Farm house, the coach will then have to find suitable parking in Coniston. On the coaches return the group MUST be ready and waiting at the road end so that the coach can load the passengers quickly to avoid causing traffic problems.
We can offer parking for mini coaches and mini buses.
History of Yew Tree Farm
A talk and walk about Yew Tree Farm can be given in English if requested at the time of booking (subject to staff availability). The fee is dependant of the duration and content of the talk but is usually £10 per person.
Toilets
Please note that there are 2 visitor toilets available at the Farm.
Refreshments- minimum of 15
2010 PRICES
We can offer a selection of refreshments by arrangement, 24 hours notice on menu choice please.
1) Cream Teas - Scone Damson Jam and Cream and Local tea or coffee £10.00
2) Farmhouse Afternoon Tea - Selection of Sandwiches (usually Herdwick lamb, smoked salmon and dill, local cheese and Westmoreland chutney, Beltie beef and horseradish mustard) served with a selection of cakes and tea. £15
3) Cumbrian cold buffet – a selection of salads, home grown cold meats, homemade finger food etc celebrating fine local food including a drink. £15 *
4) Soup and a sandwich - Homemade seasonal soup, sandwich (usually Herdwick lamb, smoked salmon and dill, local cheese and Westmoreland chutney and, Beltie beef and horseradish mustard) and a drink £15 *
5) Hot Buffet – A choice of 1 or 2 of the following options – Belted Galloway in red wine, Fish pie, Beltie Bolognaise/lasagne, Herdwick Hot pot, chicken and bacon pie, Herdwick Chilli, Herdwick Moussaka or vegetarian alternative and a drink £15 *
* Additional selection of cakes/scone jam and cream £5 per person (not a stand-alone option/ also available for cooking experience)
Driver / Guide Vouchers
Drivers and group leaders get a complimentary Tea and cake.
Group Fares
We do not charge an entrance fee for groups having refreshments.
In the event of a cancellation (7 days or less) we ask for a payment of 30% of predicted balance.
A self guided walk/information pack can be provided for groups and everyone using this facility is asked to pay £2.
Disabled Access
We regret that the tea room is not easily accessible to wheelchair users due to the historic nature of the property, however we will help in every possible way to enable access to all parts of the tea room and garden for anyone with limited mobility or using a wheel chair.
In the event of Bad Weather...
We do get it sometimes!!!! We will try to allow as many of the group to be seated indoors as possible but regrettably we can only guarantee seating for 25 at a time, there is outdoor undercover areas for use while reading the information packs.
Please note that groups must be pre booked, minimum notice usually 1 week. To book or to check availability, please call 015394 41433. Groups are classed as 15 people or more.
Yew Tree Farmhouse Cooking Experience.
Yew Tree Farm is famous for being owned by Beatrix Potter and having featured in the film ‘Miss Potter’. Yew Tree Farm is a real working farm run by Jon and Caroline Watson.
We offer a unique chance to come and learn a traditional English skill in our Farmhouse kitchen.
Caroline will personally tutor a small group (15 at a time) in her well equipped but homely kitchen. There is plenty of room for everyone to stand around an island unit during the baking process, this event is usually very sociable and good fun.
Yew Tree Farm aprons are provided to protect all clothing.
Each person will be allocated a bowl and equipment and will be guided step by step through the scone making process. Individual scones are marked before baking and then judged after they have all come out of the oven. We wrap each scone, so their maker can take it away for later.
We use a traditional recipe with no modern additives and do all of the weighing and measuring on ‘old style’ balance scales.
We provide each attendee with a recipe, a fact sheet on Yew Tree Farm (this is available in Japanese), a postcard of the farm and a portion of jam in a glass jar to take away.
This experience is a great way to see an old skill kept alive in a beautiful traditional environment.
Lunch or light refreshments can be provided whilst the scones are baking (see contracted prices*).
We can provide a 1.5mile guided walk if required, this walk enhances the experience as the attendee can be shown some of the farm animals, farm land, stunning scenery and learn about the history of the farm. The fee is £10 each (in English with a written copy available in Japanese/ a japans guide may be available) Timings will need to be discussed (up to an hour) and stout footwear/rain coat is essential, the route is on a good surfaced path and is undulating but not steep.
Mini bus or mini/midi coach parking is available. Toilet facilities are available.
We have a small gift shop.
£15 per person for cooking experience.
Minimum 15
Maximum 30 (will need to split the group and rotate sessions)
Yew Tree Farm Experience.
Yew Tree Farm is famous for being owned by Beatrix Potter and having featured in the film ‘Miss Potter’. Yew Tree Farm is a real working farm run by Jon and Caroline Watson.
We offer a unique chance to see and experience what it is like to live and work on a diversified Hill Farm or to find out about living in a historic Farmhouse and its’ strong associations with the famous children’s author.
Caroline will personally talk to a group (up to 30 at a time) included in the session –
Option 1 Farming Based 2-3hrs
• Meet some of the farm animals- this will include bottle feeding lambs in spring, looking at calves in summer and often getting the chance to see a sheep dog work or watch some of the sheep handling activities carried out routinely. There is also an array of ducks, hens and other animals to look at and talk about.
• 45 minute talk and walk- a ‘year in the life of the Farm’ can be illustrated with photos and ‘key words’ for non English speaking groups. (Stout footwear and a rain coat required).
• Cream tea in the Farmhouse.
Option 2 Beatrix Potter and Yew Tree Farm 2-3hrs
• A tour of the home including the kitchen, lounge, dining rooms and all of Beatrix Potter’s furnishings (bedrooms sometimes available).
• Question and answer session about traditional and modern British/country lifestyles and culture.
• 45 minute talk and walk- a history of the Farm, Beatrix potter the Farmer and the filming of ‘Miss Potter’. Can be illustrated with photos and ‘key words’ for non English speaking groups. (Stout footwear and a rain coat required).
• Cream tea in the Farmhouse.
Hand washing facilities and disinfectant are available for cleanliness after handling animals.
We provide each attendee with a fact sheet on Yew Tree Farm (this is available in Japanese), a postcard of the farm and a Yew Tree farm coaster.
Lunch can be provided (see contracted prices).
Mini bus or mini/midi coach parking is available. Toilet facilities are available.
We have a small gift shop.
£25 per person for Yew Tree Farm experience.
Minimum 15
Maximum 30
