LINKS
Here's a selection of some fine websites that have either contributed to this website or may be of interest to you:
Cotswold Farm Park Our comprehensive collection of over 50 breeding flocks and herds of British rare breed farm animals was established by Joe Henson and his business partner John Neave, in the late 1960’s when many of our traditional breeds were faced with imminent extinction. Besides being a vital “shop window” for the work of rare breed conservation, it is an important breeding centre for many of the animals we keep. The Cotswold Farm Park has welcomed over 2.5 million happy visitors in the 38 years since opening and has been described by the Good Britain Guide as “having memorable appeal and something special, which lifts it above the competition”. The success of the Farm Park continues due to the family run atmosphere, good value for money and underlying feeling for conservation. We are very proud of our excellent reputation and to be welcoming the third generation of visitors.
Donnington Brewery There has been a brewery at Donnington since 1865, when Richard Iles Arkell started brewing beer alongside the farming enterprise. The building itself dates back to 1291 when it was one of the mills of Broadway Manor. Sometime in the 16th century the millrace was built and the building, like many others in the Cotswolds where the wool trade was dominant, was used as a cloth mill, before being converted by the Manor into two corn mills in 1580. Inside the building nearly all of the mechanics that helped to grind the corn are still in existence; including the 2 stones, gearing, cogs and exterior waterwheel. Early in the 17th century the mill became a separate freehold estate and in 1827 it was bought by Thomas Arkell. It was his grandson Richard who began brewing beer in 1865 and we still have ledgers from some of the first beer he brewed. "Too heavy," says one entry. "Not the right colour" says another. Richard first sold his beer to the gentry in the hunting field, although as some of them had small breweries on their estates it must have taken time to build up a solid customer base, and of course his beer must also have been very good! Richard's sons took over the burgeoning business from their father, and his son Herbert finally bought his brother out to run it alone. Herbert had two sons and two daughters but it was his son Lawrence Claude, more commonly known as Claude, who came back from the second World War as an RAF Officer in 1951. Until the mid 1960s, the brewery grew its own barley and malted it on a special malting floor which is still in existence today. Today the maris otter malt is bought from trusted growers in Norfolk and is still milled at the brewery. The hops come from Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the water is drawn from a natural spring beside the millpond. It's only the sugar which is imported. The Bobby mill is still used in the brewing process and an internal water wheel drives belts for mashing and pumps for the copper. Claude successfully ran the brewery until his death in 2007, but with no children of his own, he left it to his cousins Peter and James Arkell, who also run Arkell's Brewery. Claude and James share the same Great-Great-Grandfather, John Arkell, who started Kingsdown Brewery in Swindon. Claude knew he left this beautiful brewery in safe hands: James learned the art of brewing alongside his cousin at Donnington Brewery and under his guidance Donnington Brewery continues to flourish. Today, any visitors to the brewery see much the same as they might have done 100 years ago: The honey-coloured buildings sit quietly in the valley next to the mill pond, with its black swans, originally from Australia and introduced by Claude who took an interest in the birds. Many families have worked, father and son, alongside Claude and James and we're glad to say that they still do.
late rooms.com Please find us on late rooms.com, howebver our cheapest rates are right here on this website
the Plough at Ford Situated one mile from the halfway house lies another Donnington Pub a firm favourate amongst racing fans,
bed & breakfast Find us on bed & breakfast.co.uk for geat rates & secial deals
