Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre

About the museum

Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre lies on the Ford and Etal Estate in Northumberland, between the villages of Ford and Etal. It is run on a not-for-profit basis, and all income is put back into the running costs and development of the centre.

The centre is a working farm with a breeding programme, especially for the rare Clydesdale horse, and it describes itself as the only Rare Breed Approved Conservation Centre in the country dedicated to heavy horses. Visitors can get close to Clydesdale, Shire and Percheron horses and to other animals that were common in the era of the working horse, including rare British Lop-Eared pigs and Sebastopol geese. The farm also offers a home for heavy horses rescued by other charities.

The museum shows a large collection of horse-drawn machinery, together with artefacts and memorabilia from the time when heavy horses did the work of the farm before mechanical power arrived. Carriage rides are offered at set times in the summer and during school holidays, and the on-site café serves homemade food.

Highlights

• Clydesdale, Shire and Percheron heavy horses
• Museum with horse-drawn machinery and memorabilia
• Rare breed pigs and geese
• Carriage rides in summer and school holidays
• Café with homemade food

Permanent exhibition

• Heavy horse museum – A large collection of horse-drawn machinery, with artefacts and memorabilia from the era of the working heavy horse.

Founded

2012

Admission & discounts

Visitors report to the shop on arrival to pay and receive a wristband. Without a wristband, access is limited to the café area.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre says most areas are wheelchair accessible and that staff will help with any difficulties. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The centre describes itself as fun for the whole family. Children’s birthday parties cost £14 per head and include a decorated area, a buffet and a carriage ride; a homemade birthday cake is an extra £15. Carriage rides run in school holidays.

Getting there & parking

Hay Farm is signposted off the B6354 between Ford and Etal, and is recognisable from a distance by its tall brick chimney.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The on-site café serves homemade food with indoor seating in former horse stalls and an enclosed garden. Visitors are asked not to eat their own picnics on the premises, except baby and toddler meals.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit