our story at greenacres

from centuries of farming to an award winning barn and luxury glamping  

The Farmhouse was built in the mid-19th century, as part of the Alton Towers Estate. The Byron family moved to Greenacres in 1864 shortly after its construction, and have been here ever since. John Byron, Tessa’s dad, farmed here all of his life and we moved back to the farm in 2003 from Devon when our son Tom was born. The Barn was converted at the same time.

The large grassed area that you can see through the kitchen window of the Barn are where John’s pig sheds used to be. The Barn itself used to be the cowshed and pigsty. The pigsty is now the snug, and the cowshed is now the downstairs bedroom. The upstairs bedroom and en-suite used to be the hayloft. The large beams you can see in the kitchen and upstairs salvaged from old vessels broken up at the end of their working lives.

walk from greenacres staffordshire

Greenacres is set in the midst of 11 acres of organic grassland pasture, and there’s a lovely view of it from the Victorian swing hanging from the nearby Ash tree. There’s a much bigger swing on the beech in the Southern field. The fields surrounding us are home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, and many wild flowers. The gardens are planted with fruit trees including plum, apple, damson and quince, we grow our own herbs, fruit and vegetables, and we love to share. Come and see, and have a go on our swings!

If you are a lover of star-gazing, you will really enjoy our dark skies. There are no street lights around us, and on dark nights the skies are brilliant with stars. It’s certainly a good place to bring a pair of binoculars!

 

perfect for any season

Spring

Fruit trees begin to blossom, the morning chorus chimes and Greenacres wakes up again after the winter. The cows will be out soon! The Moorlands heather will be starting to bloom, not to mention the Easter celebrations and Ashbourne’s famous Royal Shrovetide Football.

Summer

The sun is high and it’s a perfect time to have a lazy day in the garden, maybe use the Victorian swing hanging from the tree or a picnic in the surrounding countryside? Take a day trip to a National Trust property or stroll around a local Summer Food & Craft Market

Autumn

Autumn is beautiful in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Take a walk in the woodland at Dimmingsdale or perhaps along the old railway to Alton for lunch? Visit the Potteries and learn about the remarkable Wedgewood family and stock up on the latest Emma Bridgewater.

Winter

A log fire and a mug of hot chocolate on a frosty day. What could be better! The local walks are stunning in winter and the country pubs are cosy and welcoming, with log fires and good food. There’s plenty of Christmas events nearby in the local towns and historical properties.

Tessa and David at Greenacres

the hosts

Hi, we are Tessa and David. Tessa was born and raised here, and Greenacres has been her family home since the 1860’s. Tessa’s brother Andrew’s farm is just over the road at Elms Farm, and it is his organic dairy herd that grazes in the fields around us.

We moved back to Staffordshire in 2003 when our son Tom was born, and we have lived here ever since, along with Dara the Border Collie, 3 cats and 3 chickens.

 

stay at greenacres…