About Gibbs Hill Farm

Farm History

Gibbs Hill Farm is a traditional working hill farm dating back to before the 17th century when the lawless violent Border Reivers held the borderlands in their fearsome grip, owing allegiance to neither the Scots nor the English.

Gibbs Hill was so named because the sheep stealers were hanged there on the gibbet as a warning to all! The present owners, a more peaceful family, are the fourth generation to farm here. The farm carries 50 suckler cows and calves and over 500 Swaledale cross ewes and lambs. There is also a small fold of Highland cattle to admire.

The Farm and the Environment

Integration into the Countryside Commissions Farm Stewardship Scheme and conversion under their MAFF organic farm scheme is indicative of the deep commitment that the family have to countryside and environmental care. Within the farm's land, there are two 50 acre areas of ancient peat bog, which, has designated S.S.I's, have been handed to The Northumberland National Park for their management.

The Gibson family's commitment to the environment is demonstrated by :-

• Extensive Recycling facilities in place plus the use of all eco-friendly products and low energy light bulbs
• Gibbshill is a Beacon accommodation Provider for Green Tourism Initiatives - this involves trying to promote and conduct her business in a sustainable and ethical way.
• In 2004  the Gibson family received an Award for Farm                      Diversification from the magazine'' Farming in the North'' which     covers Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire.  The Judges stated the Gibsons provided ''a range of accommodation  for a wide variety of  holidaymaker allowing everyone to enjoy the countryside and experience a real working farm''.