Willowford Farm, Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria

Willowford Farm is an organic farm in the north-east corner of Cumbria, just a few hundred metres from the Northumberland border. The farm buildings sit above the River Irthing and enjoy wonderful views down the valley as it wanders westwards towards the Eden and eventually the Solway Firth. The farm is bisected by one of the longest remaining stretches of Hadrian's Wall which includes 2 turrets, the remains of a Roman bridge and the signature stone of the chief stonemason for this section, Philipus of the Fifth Cohort.

In 2007 one of the stone byres was converted into holiday accommodation sleeping 10 guests – what had been the milking parlour, cart house, grain store and pig holes became guest accommodation! This holiday house near Brampton is ideal for extended families, 2 or 3 small families or groups of friends who want to enjoy the beautiful setting, rich in natural beauty, teeming with wildlife and steeped in history.

The house offers 5 en suite bedrooms which can be arranged as either doubles or twins, a dining room / lounge with comfortable seating, a log burning stove and a large table for sociable eating together, and a kitchen which is is modern and well equipped. There's plenty of character with exposed wooden beams, local Westmorland slate flooring and antique furniture, and the house is heated using underfloor heating and insulated with Thermafleece sheep’s wool. There are 2 outdoor areas exclusively for guests' use.

The farm is bounded by the River Irthing which, with the surrounding meadows, offer delightful picnicking, wild swimming in the summer months, wildlife spotting and walking. Hadrian's Wall National Trail runs through the farm and Birdoswald Roman Fort is just 1 mile east. To the west are more walks and all the major Roman attractions including Vindolanda, Housesteads, Chesters and the Roman Army Museum.