Woodhouse Gate Farm Cottage

History

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The Old Stables at Woodhouse Gate Farm were converted into self catering holiday accommodation in 2000. Prior to that the farm itself has a long history with the first known documentary reference to "Woodhouse Gate" dating from 1672 when it was mentioned in a will.

It is thought that the "Gate" part of the placename relates to the Norse word "gata" which means track or roadway rather than a gate or gateway in the modern sense. This placename suggests that the farmstead probably dates back prior to 1672.

A map from 1591 shows "Woodhouse Layne" though the inaccuracies of early map-making mean that it is not clear if the farm is actually shown. Recent research suggests however that the modern Woodhouse Gate Farm was created by the amalgamation of earlier 16th century small farmsteads, including "Turners", "Jacksons", "Whitendales" and "Barcroft". Some of these names remain as field-names on the farm.

There are three date stones around the farm. The much weathered datestone on the barn is the earliest at 1698. The initials of WW and TW commemorate William and Thomas Wiglesworth; two brothers who inherited the farm as teenagers from their father Thomas Wiglesworth of Townhead.

The datestone on the farmhouse dated 1833 . The intials commemorate Henry and Mary Wigglesworth of Townhead. They were decendants Henry Wigglesworth, the elder brother of William and Thomas Wigglesworth.

During much of the early and mid 20th century Woodhouse Gate was farmed by the Hully brothers, Colin and Cyril, assisted by their farm-worker Billy "Beefy" Parker.

Between 1924 and 1932 the construction of the Stocks Reservoir dam meant that a temporary village to house 400 workers was built at Hollins, about half a mile from Woodhouse Gate. THe Hullys provided a daily supply of milk to the village carrying it in cans on the back of their horses. One well known horse was called "Nancy" and famously bolted back to the stable severely denting the milk cans on her back as she went through the doorway.

The third datestone on the holiday cottage itself dates from 2000 and shows the intials of the current owners, Harvey and Margaret Robinson. The renovation of the old stables was a family affair with the building work carried out by our nephews assisted by our son William.