Shugborough Park Farm

Shugborough Hall needed a farm to provide food for the household and workers.  The farm workers had to grow crops so that they could feed the animals that they had kept for food.  They kept cows and pigs to eat and chickens to provide eggs.  Geese were also eaten and their feathers were used for pillows. 

The farm lies in the grounds of Shugborough Hall and is about half a mile from the main house.

Shire horses were used to plough the fields, so that every summer they had crops to feed the
animals with. 

They also grew wheat so that they could grind it and make flour, which they made into bread.
The food was cooked on an open stove in the corner of the kitchen.  Wood and coal were burned to heat the stove.  They cooked pancakes, scones, cakes and stews.
The stove also heated the water for washing the laundry.  It would have taken a whole day to do the washing and another day to iron.
Cows were milked so the farm workers could make cheese,
butter and butter milk for Shugborough Hall.  The butter was churned by hand, until the fat and liquid separated.  The fat was then patted into blocks with wooden utensils and more liquid was removed.

Where would you like to go now?