Safety on the Estate
All visits will normally be accompanied by an estate worker from the farm or one of the owners.
Equipment
In general, farm machinery and tools will be out of bounds. Any electric fencing in use is marked. Safety notices on site should be observed.
Buildings
Old buildings and ruins should not be entered, but can be studied from the outside. The parapets on the bridge are loose or missing and there is a steep drop to the mud/water below. Signs or safety fencing will show when areas around the farm are out of bounds owing to building work or farm activities.
Wetlands
Most of the streams are shallow but can be fast running after heavy rain. The pond closest to the barns is the deepest area of open water. There is deep mud in the willow carr and in parts of the ponds still to be restored. The marshy areas can be well over wellington boot level in places and waders are needed for serious study in them. Cuts should be covered when working in water. Please see the leaflet on Weil's disease.
Stock
When stock are handled there is the possibility of zoonoses, such as ringworm or orf. Pregnant women should avoid lambing and lambing sheds. Follow instructions and behave calmly when near stock. In particular do not get between a cow and its new calf, avoid the bulls and rams.
Hygiene
It is particularly important to wash hands carefully before eating or drinking after visiting the site. And obviously nothing found on site should be eaten! Vegetation and other surfaces may be contaminated from animal faeces and urine and there are plenty of plants poisonous to humans on site. Boots should be washed before leaving the site. Please see the attached leaflet from the HSE.
Terrain
Parts of the site are very steep and can be slippery when wet. Special care is needed in the vicinity of the old quarries. The quarries have shear faces, which are fenced at the top; they can be approached from below but are unsafe to climb. In the area around Kennel Quarry there are also various old holes, often partly hidden by the vegetation, which can be a hazard if one strays from the pathway. There is rubbish (glass, metal, plastic sacks) left by a previous owner still to be removed from part of Kennel Quarry.
General Behaviour in the Countryside
Follow the Countryside Code.
- Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
- Guard against all risk of fire.
- Fasten all gates.
- Keep your dogs under close control.
- Keep to public paths across farmland.
- Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
- Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
- Take your litter home.
- Help keep all water clean.
- Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
- Take special care on country roads.
- Make no unnecessary noise
Appropriate Clothing and Footwear Much of the ground is steep and can be muddy, and winter weather in particular can be wet and windy. Waterproof walking shoes are ideal, with wellingtons or sometimes waders for wetland studies, and waterproof coats and leggings over warm clothing are recommended for bad weather visits. Jeans and strong shoes or trainers will suffice in dry weather in many areas. Sandals are not suitable. As there may be a risk of being bitten by ticks, which can pass on Lyme's disease, shorts are best avoided when walking through long vegetation.
Insurance
Visiting groups will need their own insurance cover.
