04/02/17
"Hi there! Thanks for checking out this blog, and we're especially pleased that you're taking the time to look through this particular post. We live at Newham Grange Country Farm i
n Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, formerly known as Newham Grange Leisure Farm. Although you have to pay to get into the farmyard to see some of the animals, some of us can often be seen in the fields along the circular route, including sheep, cows, ponies, horses, and a small family of donkeys. We're all friendly and used to dogs, and we won't hesitate to run over if you have food (or we think you might have some). I myself particularly enjoy a nose rub, and I've been known to trot over when called!" -- Dorian Frederick the ram, and his assorted farmyard friends.
n Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, formerly known as Newham Grange Leisure Farm. Although you have to pay to get into the farmyard to see some of the animals, some of us can often be seen in the fields along the circular route, including sheep, cows, ponies, horses, and a small family of donkeys. We're all friendly and used to dogs, and we won't hesitate to run over if you have food (or we think you might have some). I myself particularly enjoy a nose rub, and I've been known to trot over when called!" -- Dorian Frederick the ram, and his assorted farmyard friends.
I couldn't resist sharing some of my favourite photos of these little cuties, especially my favourite Dorian Frederick. He's a real charmer: he loves any attention, especially if food and a nose rub are involved.
Coulby Newham is a quiet and picturesque suburb in the south of Middlesbrough. Coming off the A174 from the A19, it lends itself well to trips further afield such as Stokesley, Guisborough and Redcar (each 15 minutes drive) and Saltburn (20 minutes). Roseberry Topping is also fifteen minutes away: in fact, you can see it along the farm circular route.
The farm itself is a popular tourist attraction, especially for families with young children. Apart from the usual farm animals, there are also more exotic residents such as wallabies and alpacas. 
When I first moved to the area, 'Newham Grange Leisure Farm' was billed as a conservation space to preserve rare animal breeds, but over the past couple of years, perhaps coinciding with the name change, it's now also known as a veterinary training facility. I messaged their Facebook page, asking if the surplus animals are sold for meat (they breed them every year so there must be some way of ridding themselves of the excess) and they replied that the animals are sold for breeding. It's an ambiguous fate, but the farm itself doesn't seem to kill their animals if you'd like to visit.
When I first moved to the area, 'Newham Grange Leisure Farm' was billed as a conservation space to preserve rare animal breeds, but over the past couple of years, perhaps coinciding with the name change, it's now also known as a veterinary training facility. I messaged their Facebook page, asking if the surplus animals are sold for meat (they breed them every year so there must be some way of ridding themselves of the excess) and they replied that the animals are sold for breeding. It's an ambiguous fate, but the farm itself doesn't seem to kill their animals if you'd like to visit.
The farm circular route is a 1 mile path that goes around the farm's fields. As seen on the sign, it can be extended by taking a short (but reasonably steep) woodland path towards Fairy Dell, a nature reserve I'll explore more of in my next post. You can then either go through Fair Dell itself or take a sharp incline into an estate called Tollesby Bridge, which you cut through to meet the farm route again.
The walk can be extended even further by taking the path that leads towards a deep dip. At the well of the dip you'll be able to get a better view of the beck, and if you're feeling brave and in the mood to get dirty you could walk along (and occasionally through) the beck that cuts through the downs. Failing that, taking the dip path will take you through more residential areas, but there's plenty of grass and hardly anyone about during the day.
It's easy walking, although in wet weather the stone paths are prone to flooding. Near the sign above the stone path becomes more of a dirt path, and outside of the summer months there are a couple of deep puddles that are going to get you a bit soggy or muddy if you don't have the right shoes.
The track is popular with dog walkers, and whatever time of day or night you go out you're likely to bump into someone else and their canine companion. Although the A174 is only down the bank as you walk along the back of the farm, there's hardly any noticeable noise and it shouldn't spook a nervous dog. Butterflies are abundant in the summer, and there's always a cheeky squirrel lurking in the trees by the houses. It's a nice, quick walk suitable for all abilities.
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